There are relatively few things in life that make just about anything better. But butter is surely one of them.

The earliest version of the spoon as we know it, which first surfaces in the Paleolithic era, may have been fashioned from a husk or shell as its “bowl,” affixed to a stick.

“The boar’s head in hand bring I, bedeck'd with bays and rosemary.” --“The Boar’s Head Carol”

“Anyone who thinks they're too grown up or too sophisticated to eat caramel corn is not invited to my house for dinner.”

                        --Ruth Reichl

“The children running home Beneath a twilight sky Oh, for the fun of them When I was one of them…” --Johnny Mercer/Barry Manilow, “When October Goes”

"Halloween was confusing. All my life my parents said, 'Never take candy from strangers.' And then they dressed me up and said, 'Go beg for it.'" --Rita Rudner

There are precious few edibles that are known to be delicious and therapeutic, but ginger (or ginger root) is definitely one of them.

“Before eating, always take time to thank the food.” – Arapaho

“A hungry stomach makes a short prayer.” – Paiute

Indigenous Peoples Day in the United States* is celebrated annually on the second Monday in October – in Chicago's public school system, it has taken the place of Columbus Day as of earlier this year, amid some controversy.

Welcome to October, which just happens to be National Apple Month!

Pancakes without maple syrup. A PB&J without the J. Perhaps worst of all? A salad without salad dressing.

As the increasingly cooler temperatures make you reach for a sweater and dusk descends earlier each day, our collective craving for fall flavors returns and intensifies.

“Love at First Bite” --Red Baron advertising slogan

Over the decades, food in space has come a long, long way.

In these times, it’s safe to say that we feel nostalgic about things that we never thought we would, and  used to take entirely for granted.

As promised, here are a few more stories behind the brand names you see during your trip down the grocery story aisle.

While winter-weary Chicagoans might flock there for its tropical temperatures, sandy beaches, and friendly people, its distinctive culinary scene deserves a look as well.

As you take your socially distanced trip down the grocery aisle, do you ever wonder about the brand names of the products on the shelves, and the stories behind them? We do, and we’re here to tell you about four of them, with more to come.

America’s 49th and largest state by area, its culinary scene is like none other, and perhaps this treatise will tempt you to check it out in the future.

How do you relax and beat the heat while getting a nice little buzz on? How about an icy cold, refreshing summer cocktail? 

How long has the ice cream truck been synonymous with summer? When did it originate and how, and who invented it?

If you are an American born sometime during the first three-quarters of the 20th century, it is likely that you have taken advantage of a fun summertime dining trend perfect for these “socially distanced” times: – the drive-in restaurant.