by Talia Kleinplatz | This week in completely bizarre news: The story of one Ontario farmer who specializes in Wagyu genetics (read: semen).

The code language of the infamous Dirty Burger at Upstairs at Campagnolo includes “In the Sun” (served with an egg on top), and “The Protester” (the burger topped with a generous serving of pan-seared foie gras).

Canadian restaurant owner Jen Agg calls out sexism and misogyny in the restaurant industry wherever she sees it and is concerned her colleagues aren’t doing the same.

If you were sitting around a table noonish on Sunday eating eggs benedict with your hungover friends and wondering what the hell you were doing, here’s Great Big Story explaining the origins of brunch.

British Columbia has recently been added to an elite group of truffle growers around the world including France, Oregon and Tasmania. The gourmet ingredient – often foraged by well trained pot belly pigs – can go for as much as $2 to $3 per gram.

Good news! Gastown will play host to a Mensch’s winter/spring pop-up after their Fraserhood location closed. The delicatessen will settle into the old Salty Tongue location at 212 Carrall Street.

Lee Man’s recent visit to Richmond’s Chef Tony reveals for Van Mag that the two year old restaurant has grown to incorporate more local ingredients while still offering large portions with a sophisticated spin.

In perhaps the least shocking news of last week (which says something about the kind of news we’re getting these days), it was recently discovered that he Trump campaign spent $219,000 at his own restaurants during the election. Fake news, though. Right?

From powerlifting and protein shakes to breakfast squats and chocolate babka, Food Republic sits down with 13 chefs to learn how they maintain a healthy lifestyle while working in the kitchen.

Meditating over coffee is perhaps a practice I could get behind. The New York Times explores how to incorporate mindfulness into your morning coffee ritual.

What happens when you quit eating sugar cold turkey for 30 days? SAVEUR Magazine’s Jacqueline Raposo shares her month-long journey sans refined or natural sugars and alcohol.

How one restaurant in the Netherlands has made it it’s mission to provide employment opportunities for refugees from Syria and Afghanistan.

The amazing story of the hidden wine cellars beneath the Brooklyn Bridge that date back to the late 1800s.

In this very heated political climate, the folks at Food52 explain why even food blogs have a role to play in political dialogue.

In a remarkable show of solidarity, Yemeni-American grocery and bodega owners in New York City shuttered their storefronts and took the streets this past week to protest Donald Trump’s travel ban from 7 Muslim-majority countries (including Yemen).

Looking for plans this Thursday? Why not visit an edible museum! The food a drink pop-up at The Permanent on West Pender will host an interactive exhibit where you can snack and sip your way through the history of Canadian food and drink.

Eating via Instagram honours this week go to The Hungry Twins because I’m pretty sure after that chilly weekend, we could all use a big bowl of pho!

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