The food stories that caught our attention recently—and will catch yours, too

In the 225 office, we are always reading. Walk past our desks at any given point and you’ll likely see several tabs open on our computers of stories we’re scrolling or stacks of magazines ready to browse. We all have our favorite food publications, but the stories listed below made an impression on us recently, either for their quality of writing, multimedia layout, innovative topics or all three wrapped in one. So, if you’re a food lover, heavy reader or just have a lot of time on your hands, bookmark these noteworthy narratives. You can thank us later.

The life of a food critic
One long-form feature from The New Yorker explores a topic we’ve always wanted an inside look on: how a major food critic does the job. This profile on The New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells has us in a daze and is incredibly in-depth, captivating and somehow, relatable. (Writer’s block is real, y’all.) Clear your schedule for the next hour—you won’t regret it.

Also worth reading: 225’s own story on the trials of running a local restaurant in Baton Rouge’s growing food scene. 

Foodie road trip
Have travel plans and not sure what the must-try restaurants are at your destination? “The Eater Guide to the Whole Entire World” breaks it down for you by region and country and makes eating on a global scale seem like a piece of cake.

Also worth reading: For the past few years, Eater has compiled year-in-review style lists of its best long-form features of the year. Its compilation of the 24 best food stories of 2016 will have you occupied for hours, wondering why you’ve never spent an entire day reading about food before. Eater’s “One Night at Kachka” feature documents everything that happens behind-the-scenes of Portland’s premiere Russian restaurant for one night in a visually compelling alternative story format. With an emphasis on digital multimedia storytelling, it includes data visuals, infographics, video and sound recordings. 

Chains keep us together
Bon Appétit’s story on America’s favorite restaurant is an ode to the Hillstone Restaurant Group from one of the magazine’s deputy editors. Yes, you read that right—an editor of arguably the best food publication in the country unironically loves a chain. Read on to learn why.

Also worth reading: This personal letter by Anthony Bourdain in Bon Appétit reflecting on his upbringing and how his own father shaped his outlook on food and parenthood is a moving tribute.

An interview with one of the greats
For a feel-good read, this GQ story of how chef Jacques Pépin altered the life of one writer is genuinely touching. If you’re going to read anything, make sure it’s this one.

Also worth reading: For all the Trader Joe’s fans, this Los Angeles Magazine story about how the grocery chain began pays homage to the store we know and love, and shows how Joe Coulombe’s business model revolutionized the grocery business.

For the wine lovers
As journalists, we at 225 Dine love a good multimedia format. The New York Times cooking section has some of the best, and this all-encompassing “How to Drink Wine” guide is a lifesaver for beginners and experts alike.

Also worth reading: From Fortune’s archives, this 1934 story on America becoming a wine country after Prohibition is an interesting look at wine production in the early 20th century.

What’s a food story you read recently that you love? Tell us in the comments below!