by Talia Kleinplatz | With the holidays just around the corner, Eater is rounding up a list of the best gifts for the food lover in your life. Some great ideas here.

The Food Republic looks into how restaurants can solve the kitchen staffing crisis. Basically this:

[It’s] because of a perfect storm of factors: the high cost of culinary school ($40K to $50K per year); the rising cost of living; exceedingly low wages associated with kitchen work (an average starting salary for a beginning cook is $21,720 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics); the millennial aversion to jobs that require long, grueling hours for many years; and the monumental demand for cooks, fueled by a nearly hyperactive food economy that includes food trucks, high-end fast-casual operators, hotels, pop-ups, country clubs, tech companies, corporate dining, gourmet grocers with prepared food lines and meal delivery services.

Got a love-on for Mochi? The folks at Lucky Peach provide a scientific explanation for our obsession with the delectably chewy treat.

A few simple rules from famous chefs on what you should never order at a restaurant. To start, skip the fish on Mondays, avoid the kobe beef burger and be smart about the chicken.

You know we’re living in strange times when #TrumpCup is trending on social media. The President-elect’s supporters are now heading to their local Starbucks and ordering a cup of joe in their leader’s name. Why, you might ask? I wish I could tell you…

Add it to the wish list folks! From the invention of the ice cream cone to the discovery of squash, Julia Rothman’s newest book, Food Anatomy, explores the history of all things edible.

In not so shocking news, food delivery services saw a significant spike in sales the day after the American election. Because who wants to leave the house in a world where Trump is president?

In a year that has seen the loss of some of the world’s most loved musicians, NPR pays its respects to Leonard Cohen with a closer look at some of his more food-centric lyrics.

The Michelin folks were out in full in New York last week granting much coveted stars to restaurants across the city. While there were no new three-star restaurants named this year, Brooklyn’s Aska was awarded 2 stars right out of the gate. Check out the full list!

Looks like the much anticipated Federal Store was well worth the wait as the combo cafe and grocery store opened its doors in Mount Pleasant last week.

Concerning news continues for Canadian food banks as the average use across the country has gone up 28% since 2008. That number is even higher in BC where food bank use has risen by 32.5% in the same time period.

Globe & Mail double shot: Alexandra Gill pays a visit to Trevor Bird’s most recent venture, Fable Diner, and finds great food and lacklustre service. She then heads over to Kits where she’s impressed by chef Jefferson Alvarez at Cacao.

Heading to a few holiday parties in the coming weeks? Food and Wine has got you covered with their picks for the best host gifts including a curated selection of chocolates and a selection of cheap and cheerful wines.

Looking to change up your Sunday dinner routine? Chinatown’s Bestie has got you covered with their recently launched Schnitzel Sundays.

Ever wonder where the potato came from? Well good news! Archaeologists out of California have discovered evidence of Peruvian potatoes dating back to 3400 BC!

Eater shares the winners of their 2016 food and restaurant awards. Chef of the year, Corey Lee of Benu and In Situ, is just a hop, skip and a jump away in San Francisco.

Drinking via Instagram honours this week goes to I am a Food Blog and the most adorably festive cup of hot chocolate.

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