Ezra Kaplan
Editorial byline
Ezra Kaplan is an editorial byline for Sweet and Salty News, with a focus on The Critic's Table, Fine Dining, Chef Profiles. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.
Learn more about our editorial process and use of automation in our AI & Automation disclosure.
Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
What a Sommelier Actually Does: The Two Jobs Behind One Title
A restaurant sommelier performs two distinct jobs: managing the wine program as a business and guiding guests through selections in the dining room. Understanding this dual role is key to appreciating the profession and receiving better wine recommendations.
Nov 8, 2026 · 4 min read
Who Gets the Money? A Diner's Guide to Service Charges, Tips, and That Confusing Line on Your Bill
Understand the crucial legal difference between restaurant service charges and tips: service charges belong to the business, while tips belong to the employee. This guide empowers you to read your bill, ask the right questions, and tip with confidence.
Nov 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Three Kinds of Trade Shows, Three Different Jobs: How to Pick the Right One for Your Food Business
Choosing the right food industry trade show is crucial for business success, as there are three distinct types: international finished product fairs like SIAL Paris, packaging and processing expos like PACK EXPO, and store brand sourcing events like PLMA. Aligning your specific business goals with the show's focus, audience, and scale is key to maximizing your return on investment.
Nov 1, 2026 · 4 min read
Plated, Family-Style, or Buffet: What Each Restaurant Service Style Means for Your Table
This guide explores the three primary Western restaurant service styles: Plated, Family-Style, and Buffet, detailing how each impacts food control, diner experience, formality, and cost. It offers a comparison and guidance on selecting the appropriate style based on event formality, guest count, and desired atmosphere.
Oct 29, 2026 · 4 min read
Five Restaurant Concepts, Five Business Models: How to Read the Operational Blueprint Before You Commit
A restaurant concept is the operational blueprint, defining service model, menu, price, and target customer, not just cuisine or theme. Understanding these distinct business models is crucial before committing to a restaurant venture.
Oct 27, 2026 · 5 min read
Professional Critics, Anonymous Diners, and Paid Influencers: How to Read a Restaurant Review You Can Actually Trust
No single type of restaurant review is inherently best; understanding the methodology behind professional critics, anonymous online reviewers, and paid influencers is key to trusting their recommendations. By examining how each review is produced, diners can better judge the advice before booking a table.
Oct 19, 2026 · 5 min read
Michelin Stars, Bib Gourmand, and the Green Star: What Each Award Actually Tells a Diner
Michelin's Stars recognize exceptional cuisine, Bib Gourmand highlights high-quality food at reasonable prices, and the Green Star, being phased out, signifies sustainability. Understanding these distinct awards helps diners choose restaurants based on their priorities for culinary excellence, value, or eco-conscious practices.
Oct 17, 2026 · 4 min read
Beyond the Salad: A Guide to Three Philosophies of Plant-Based Fine Dining
Plant-based fine dining has evolved into a sophisticated culinary field, pioneering distinct gastronomic experiences beyond simple substitutions. This guide explores three core philosophies—umami and texture engineering, molecular gastronomy, and theatrical presentation—that define these elevated plant-based culinary journeys.
Oct 6, 2026 · 5 min read
Restaurant Critics Face Extinction as Public Reviews Dominate 2026.
On platforms like TikTok, 30-second influencer reviews are rapidly replacing the nuanced critiques of professional restaurant critics and food writers.
Sep 13, 2026 · 2 min read
The future of restaurant criticism 2026: Algorithmic reviews miss the real flavor.
Liora, an AI-powered review platform, now boasts 100 million active users, dwarfing the readership of even the most popular traditional food blogs, according to Liora Annual Report, 2023.
Sep 11, 2026 · 4 min read
LouLouca Singapore pastry chef elevates culinary vision
Louisa Lim, crowned Asia's Best Pastry Chef in 2023, has opened Loulouca, her highly anticipated dessert atelier, where a single slice of her namesake cake costs $16.
Sep 5, 2026 · 5 min read
Cocktail Prices Rise Amid UK Hospitality's £93 Billion Contribution
In the UK, the restaurant sector pays so much tax that as much as 75% of its pre-tax profit goes directly to the Treasury, making it the most taxed sector in the economy, according to The Drinks Busin
Aug 28, 2026 · 3 min read
How to Navigate Ethical Considerations in Restaurant Criticism
While a traditional restaurant critic might meticulously hide their identity to ensure an authentic dining experience, a prominent food blogger faces potential membership revocation if they fail to di
Aug 22, 2026 · 3 min read
What are economic models in fine dining restaurants?
A Michelin-starred restaurant, celebrated for its $300 tasting menu, might net less than 5% profit—a margin comparable to a fast-food chain, according to Restaurant Business Online .
Aug 14, 2026 · 4 min read
The Art and Science of Modern Restaurant Criticism
To ensure an unbiased review, a professional food critic visits a restaurant multiple times, ordering and paying for meals incognito, just like any other customer.
Aug 10, 2026 · 3 min read
The Rise of Zero-Proof Drinks in Hospitality is Changing Bartending
At Amada, a reimagined beverage program now includes interactive tableside cocktails, signaling a dramatic shift in how even non-alcoholic options are presented to guests.
Aug 6, 2026 · 5 min read
Restaurant critics are retiring, and food journalism's future is uncertain.
In the past decade, 70% of major metropolitan newspapers have either eliminated or significantly reduced their full-time restaurant critic positions.
Jul 16, 2026 · 3 min read
CookUnity meal delivery service review reveals challenges
Nearly 30% of CookUnity deliveries in major cities are late, damaged, or incorrect, according to the Consumer Complaints Database .
Jun 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Find the best Prime Day 2026 deals for home cooks
This year, a Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 10-Quart XL 2-Basket Air Fryer is available for $170, a full $80 off its original $250 price, according to The Wall Street Journal .
Jun 25, 2026 · 3 min read
Find the Best Prime Day Kitchen Deals This Year
This Prime Day, home cooks can grab Yotam Ottolenghi's 'Ottolenghi Simple' cookbook for 57% off, according to Bon Appétit .
Jun 24, 2026 · 2 min read