Intelligence Briefs

A weekly compendium of food and drink-related news stories gathered from a variety of sources here and around the world. Published every Monday morning.

Intelligence Briefs

On Food Editors Being Jerks and Drinking Wine in Parks Without Permission

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds BBQ history and racism masquerading as 'store policy'.

Intelligence Briefs

On Racism in the Wine World and Regulating Street Vendors Without Police

In her latest read of the food & drink headlines, Talia awaits an overdue rebrand and finds restaurant working trying to stay safe.

Intelligence Briefs

On Admonishing Cops With No Donuts and Fast Food’s Hollow Declarations of Solidarity

The hospitality industry continues to make moves towards recovery as protests against police brutality and racial injustice rage.

Intelligence Briefs

On the Scourge of Racism in Hospitality and Navigating Routes Towards Equality

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia focuses on the ongoing global protests against racism and inequality.

Intelligence Briefs

On Thomas Jefferson’s Slave Chef and the Slow Reopening of the World’s Restaurants

In her latest read of the food/drink headlines, Talia finds an uncertain immediate future for hospitality both at home and abroad.

Intelligence Briefs

On Getting Ready to Reopen Restaurants and the Long, Hard Road Ahead

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds contrasting reopening schemes and predictions.

Intelligence Briefs

On Farmers Destroying Food and Seeking Ways to Safely Reopen the Restaurant Industry

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds new patio options and farmers destroying food.

Intelligence Briefs

On the End of Foodora and the Race to Reopen a Broken Restaurant Industry

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia learns of impending shortages and finds some silver linings in the darkness.

Intelligence Briefs

On Cautious Optimism and Chain Restaurants Hogging the Government Cheese

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia wonders at government help and what's permanent in the new normal.

Intelligence Briefs

On Deleting Food Delivery Apps and Feeling for Restaurants Under Construction

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds out why flour is scarce and how to ensure her take-out is safe.

Intelligence Briefs

On Selling Off the Baller Bottles and the Many Kindnesses of Struggling Restaurants

In her latest read of the food and beverage headlines, Talia finds emotional signs and the value of collective empathy.

Intelligence Briefs

On Nailing Tim Horton’s to the Wall and the Restaurant Industry’s Many Pre-Existing Conditions

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia takes note of how the industry is responding to an unprecedented crisis.

Intelligence Briefs

On Being Kind to Grocery Clerks and Operating Restaurants in a Dangerous Time

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia looks at the wide-ranging impacts of Covid-19 on the hospitality trade.

Intelligence Briefs

On Restaurants Versus COVID-19 and How We Can Help Them Weather the Storm

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia stares into the abyss of COVID-19 and how it's effecting the hospitality trade.

Intelligence Briefs

On Better Ways to Waste Vodka and the Great Restaurant Panic of 2020

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds a focus on resilience and local restaurants getting squeezed.

Intelligence Briefs

On British Columbian Cooks Going Camping and the Fascinating Sex Lives of Trees

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia learns about insanely-priced Irish whiskey and the courage of seagulls.

Intelligence Briefs

On Mythical Sugar Highs and the Growing Acceptance of People Who Don’t Drink in Bars

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia takes in some cocktail history and all things crispy.

Intelligence Briefs

On Side Orders of Coronavirus and Never Working a Valentine’s Day Shift Again

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds award-winning local booze and firefighters saving giant bottles of wine.

Intelligence Briefs

On Accidentally Tipping Thousands and Bad People Making Counterfeit Wine

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia learns of wine fraudsters and the economics behind cheap buffets.

Intelligence Briefs

On Beautiful Fast Food Spots and the City of Vancouver Failing its Restaurants

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds comically heroic pop-up bars and feasts on Superbowl food ads.

Intelligence Briefs

On Restaurant Staffers Getting Healthy and Oscar-Winners Portraying Bad Boy Chefs

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia learns about spilled wine and Hong Kong restaurants at war.

Intelligence Briefs

On How to Close a Restaurant and Not Drink Beer Named After a Murderous Druglord

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds warm whisky cocktails and gets a lesson on whole hog BBQ.

Intelligence Briefs

On the Kind of Person Who Steals Menus and the Midlife Crisis of the Restaurant Review

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia gets curious about tater tots and finds a Michelin chef in full droop.

Intelligence Briefs

On Predicting 2020 Food Trends and the Weird World of New Year’s Eve Traditions

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds blue foods abounding and a battery of year-end lists.

Intelligence Briefs

On the Coming Holiday Drink Tsunami and the Trouble With Reindeer Orgies

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds sinking gingerbread cities and efforts to conserve genetic diversity.

Intelligence Briefs

On Awkward Family Dinners and Iconic Restaurants That Disappear in the Night

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia learns of Michelin drama and new arrivals from Tokyo.

Intelligence Briefs

On America’s Best New Restaurants and the Growing Need for More Noodles

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds poisoned blueberry fields and fast food phasing out plastic toys.

Intelligence Briefs

On the Joys of ‘Immigrant Food’ and Teasing David Chang’s Upcoming Memoir

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia learns of shipwrecked booze and why sandwiches should always be buttered.