All the Links
And a short update
Hi everyone!
Long time no email. Thank you to all of you who filled out the survey at the end of last year. I’ve been thinking a lot about your suggestions and am really excited about the shape this newsletter is going to take over the next few months! Much more on that coming April 1. In the meantime, I wanted to send this out because one common theme in the survey was that you all love the links.
If you’re new here, there’s typically much more to this newsletter. And If you haven’t filled out the survey yet and have a few minutes to do so, I’d appreciate it.
Hope you’re all staying safe and healthy and that it feels something like spring wherever you are. It’s glorious in Chicago these days and I’ve been walking by the lake every chance I get. Also cooking a ton and eating (takeout) all over the city. Follow along here. Still, I cannot wait to get vaccinated and travel again. Where’s the first place you hope to go?
Talk soon!
–Rebecca
Let’s Clean Out My Open Tabs
Some of my recent articles:
Wild Yeast and Native Grapes in Lebanon–Whetstone Magazine. This was one of my favorite things to work on last summer and I’m thrilled to have it published at Whetstone, a food magazine focused on origins and culture.
Black McDonald’s Franchisees Are Suing Amid Multiple Protests–Food & Wine. Honored to tell the ongoing story of James and Darrell Byrd, among hundreds of others who have signed on to their class action lawsuit.
Farm to Fork: How a New Project Will Help Tourists Eat Their Way Around Jordan–The National. Many of you know Jordan is like my first love, and I’m so excited about these culinary tours. Bookmark for when you can travel again!
Where to Eat Middle Eastern Food In Chicago– Eater Chicago. Not a definitive list by any means! Just a few favorite places, and I’m finding new favorites all the time. Honestly, if I had editing powers I could add somewhere new to this list every week. So if I left off a place you love, I’m sorry. And please send me the name in case I haven’t tried it yet!
Travel
What Role Do Souvenirs Play In Cultural Appropriation?
Mask Fights and ‘Mob Mentality’: What Flight Attendants Faced Over the Last Year
Is It Wrong to Give a Negative Airbnb Review Right Now?
The Last Two Northern White Rhinos On Earth
The Man Who Turned Credit Card Points Into an Empire
What Trump Taught the World About America (Ok, this isn’t technically travel, but it discusses how Americans are perceive abroad, which is definitely related.)
Bringing Urdu Into the Digital Age (Also not travel but the illustrations for this piece are just so good I had to share)
Food
The Customer Is Not Always Right (very important read!)
Cocoa’s Child Laborers (“Mars, Nestlé and Hershey pledged nearly two decades ago to stop using cocoa harvested by children. Yet much of the chocolate you buy still starts with child labor.”)
How the U.S. Military Brought Soul Food to the World
Asafoetida’s Lingering Legacy Goes Beyond Aroma
Through Chai, Searching for a Truer Version of Dubai
All About Ramyeon, the Korean Comfort Food That’s More Than Just a Trend
Why a Recipe Is More Than a Recipe (aka how food magazines should do corrections)
Follow-Up to the “Great Bucatini Shortage”
The Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes Is Structural Racism
A Short History of Challah Bread and How It Got So Sweet In America
Life Was Not a Peach: On David Chang
Drink
Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Brewery Near Cairo
The Spectacular Rise and Fall of 2020’s Favorite Wine
Florida’s Growing Wine Scene (I was surprised too)
The Truth About Natural Wine and Hangovers
(Un)Holy Water: The Middle Eastern Voices Shaping the Global Beer Narrative