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 Believing in Chef Nicolas Cage and Hospitality Workers Living Decently

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds salmon in trouble and patrons who should just stay home.
Intelligence Briefs

On Menu Prices Going Up and Customers Fighting Amongst Themselves

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds fewer cooks in the kitchen and Portland lauded for its pizza.
Intelligence Briefs

On Suddenly Taking More Tables and Toiling Away in Potentially Lethal Temperatures

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds another chef being a jerk and the labour shortage grinding on.
Intelligence Briefs

On No More Takeout Cocktails and Chefs Worrying About the Rising Cost of Food

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds food security woes and new spots getting good reviews.
Intelligence Briefs

On Serving Booze in the Dark Again and Struggling to Staff Up for Summer

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia sees case counts drop and the city waiving patio permit fees.
Intelligence Briefs

On Sidewalk Patios Forever and the Subtle Art of Telling Bad Customers to F-Off

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia likes them apples and welcomes new cash for strapped restaurants.
Intelligence Briefs

On Fixing an Almost Broken Industry and Ramping Up for the Next Reopening Phase

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds butchers behaving badly and restaurants enforcing their own rules.
Intelligence Briefs

On What’s Next for Hospitality and the ‘Precious Privilege’ of Dining Indoors

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds contingent timelines and smashburgers coming to Chinatown.

Intelligence Briefs

On Bums Finally Back in Seats and Industry Types Lining Up to Get Pricked

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds light at the end of the tunnel and new restaurants getting set to launch.

Intelligence Briefs

On Letting the Air Out of Pop-Ups and Anticipating the Return of Indoor Dining

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds free food pantries and politicians being mean to food trucks.

Intelligence Briefs

On Rallying to Spread Stupidity and Restaurants Jealous of Food Trucks

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds wasted food and a world running out of bubble tea.
Intelligence Briefs

On Running Out of Ketchup and Wounded Restaurants Bracing for More Bad News

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds workers in short supply and restaurateurs swapping stories of woe.
Intelligence Briefs

On Closing Ancient Food Halls and Dumb Customers Making Bad Situations Worse

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds scientists drinking wine and rule breakers getting owned.
Intelligence Briefs

On Waiting Out Another Crippling Wave and Feasting to Support Restaurants in Crisis

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds rules being broken and new ways to stretch grocery bucks.
Intelligence Briefs

On the Future of Food Delivery and the Uncertain Fate of Indoor Dining

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds bad cola collaborations and culinary libraries in the works.
Intelligence Briefs

On Surfing a Third Wave and Only Vaccinating Hospitality Workers at Restaurants in Distress

In her recent read of the food and drink headlines, Talia learns of restaurants quietly lost and a crazy amount of food waste.
Intelligence Briefs

On Loosening the Reins on Social Gatherings and Racists With No Appreciation of Ramen

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia learns of new ghost kitchens and restaurant workers helping one another.
Intelligence Briefs

On Wine World Diversity and Service Industry Anxieties About a Return to Normal

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds persistent pay gaps and innovative cooks finding new ways to sell food.

Intelligence Briefs

On the Changing Role of the Restaurant Critic and People Tipping Less in Times of Crisis

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds competitive vegetable growers and people making food for space.
Intelligence Briefs

On the Thing About Saving Chinatowns and Making Vaccines Mandatory for Restaurant Workers

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds glimmers of hope and Texans having a rough time.
Intelligence Briefs

On Mysterious Pasta Shortages and Setting the Table for New Variants

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds a White Spot closing and Mardi Gras cancelled.
Intelligence Briefs

On ‘Dine Out’ Looking a Little Different and Food Delivery Apps Keeping It Classy

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds Superbowl doldrums and New York reinstating indoor dining.
Intelligence Briefs

On the Worst Person in Vancouver and Breaking the Rules in the Name of Dinner

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds new baking tangents and restaurant adaptations that are here to stay.
Intelligence Briefs

On Vaccines for Restaurant Workers and the Georgia Straight’s Respect For Hospitality

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds challenges to come and Biden doing away with the Diet Coke button.
Intelligence Briefs

On BC Not Having It As Bad As Quebec and Last Call for David Chang’s White Hot Fury

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds bad news breeding and gets stoked for a new fried chicken joint.
Intelligence Briefs

On Normality Delayed and the Most Selfishly Reckless Restaurant in Vancouver

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds resolutions and people making drinks out of spent Christmas trees.
Intelligence Briefs

On What’s Next for Hospitality and the Challenges Restaurants Will Face in Hibernation

In her latest read of the food and drink news, Talia finds Pennsylvania punch and Jeff Bezos being a real piece of shit.
Intelligence Briefs

On DoorDash Being Cheap Jerks and There Being No Vaccine for Empty Dining Rooms

In her latest read of the food and drink headlines, Talia finds big city shutdowns and dark clouds gathered for hospitality