by Talia Kleinplatz | In the wake of improving relations between America and Cuba, the small island nation is experiencing increased food insecurity in the face of a significant influx in tourism.

As fish populations are on the decline worldwide, fisherman and scientists are exploring innovative ways to promote selective fishing techniques including new and improved nets.

Eater’s Mikki Kendall takes a closer look at the food references in Beyonce’s “Formation” and the story it tells about Jim Crow, the American South and the Great Migration.

Want to avoid cooking a massive feast this holiday season? The Vancouver Sun’s Mia Stainsby rounds up a solid list of restaurants serving up Christmas dinner this year.

The folks at Food Republic share their rankings of 40 popular sandwiches with a bacon, egg and cheese scoring top marks. For some of Vancouver’s best sandwiches, check out our new ‘Stacked’ column.

From pickles to sushi to donuts, Food & Wine rounds up some of the best food-themed Christmas ornaments on the market.

A year as intense as 2016 requires all of the carbohydrates: Saveur rounds up all of the odd iteration of breads enjoyed this past year, up to and including lasagna bread. Curious, indeed!

Lucky Peach shares their picks for some of their favourite cookbooks of the year including the late Sasha Petraske’s Regarding Cocktails and Sohui Kim’s The Good Fork Cookbook.

I started a new column detailing the odd artifacts lurking behind Vancouver bars, beginning with a set of curious tools at The Keefer.

Looking to get your meat pie fix? Head over to the West End to check out the recently opened Peaked Pies. This is the second brick and mortar for owners Kerri Jones and Alex Relf who opened their first pie shop in Whistler (their goodness pictured at top).

The New York Times reflects on the no-tipping policy adopted by a number of restaurants this past year including those owned by famed restaurateur Danny Meyer. Vancouver’s foray into a no-tipping restaurant ended earlier this year when the chef found the model to be unsustainable.

From tiki cocktails to dark, boozy and stirred sippers, Imbibe shares their picks for the top cocktail recipes of 2016.

Still wrapping up your holiday shopping? The Georgia Straight’s Tammy Kwan rounds up seven local, edible gifts for the food lover in your life.

The Globe and Mail’s Alexandra Gill explores how Vancouver chain restaurants stole new headlines this past year on everything from dress codes to hiring practices to humane beef.

Eating via Instagram honours this week go to YYarisa and this lovely spread from Beaucoup Bakery.

Looking for work in the industry? Check out who’s hiring.