Food Culture

5 articles

A diverse group of people enjoying a communal meal together outdoors, highlighting connection and shared joy.

Kitchen Culture

What Is Global Communal Dining and Why Does Its Cultural Significance Matter?

Eating with others isn't just a pleasant pastime.

Raffi Hovsepian·August 20, 2026

An empty, dimly lit restaurant table with a wilting rose, symbolizing the decline of restaurant criticism and the uncertain future of food journalism.

The Critic's Table

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.

Ezra Kaplan·July 16, 2026

A modern kitchen with a tablet showing a plant-based recipe, alongside a delicious, accessible meal, symbolizing the fusion of technology and food culture.

The Test Kitchen

New Summer 2026 Cookbooks Showcase Tech and Food Culture Shifts

A Michelin-star chef, known for haute cuisine, is set to release a budget-friendly, plant-based cookbook for Summer 2026, according to Publisher's advance catalog.

Raffi Hovsepian·June 10, 2026

Diverse group of people joyfully sharing a communal meal outdoors at sunset, highlighting social connection and cultural impact.

Kitchen Culture

Why the Evolution of Communal Dining Matters for Cultural Impact

In 2023, roughly 1 in 4 Americans reported eating all of their meals alone the previous day, a stark 53% increase since 2003, according to World Happiness Report .

Raffi Hovsepian·June 4, 2026

A colorful and abundant display of various Indian regional dishes, representing the diverse culinary heritage and cultural identity of India.

Travel & Taste

India's Regional Cuisines: Identity and Cultural Significance

In India, a single meal can reveal a person's caste, class, family lineage, and even religious affiliation, making food a profound marker of identity far beyond mere sustenance.

Raffi Hovsepian·June 3, 2026