Add the Trib’s Barbara Brotman to the list of hundreds of Americans hurt in hunting accidents every year. No, she wasn’t shot and killed by food writer Monica Eng as the two culminated the Trib’s season of venison fascination with a deer hunting trip in Carroll County. But, Brotman did take quite a shot the first time she squeezed the trigger with Bambi in her sites sights: more ›

Over the past several months, Chicago Public School have done a lot to change their food offerings. As we reported a few weeks back, they will be serving more breakfasts in the classroom, healthier lunches and less junk food. Unfortunately (and we could've seen this one coming) the students won't eat them. Lunch sales are dropping and students are complaining that the food has no flavor. Other school districts around the country have had great success with healthy eating campaigns - what's wrong with ours? more ›

The Trib digs deer. Eating them that is… Crack foodie reporter Monica Eng ran a pair of stories this week extolling the virtues of venison from standpoints of both a taste and sustainability. Gone are complaints about gaminess as locavores turn their attention to deer as a responsible eating option. After all, plenty of suburbanites have them eating hydrangeas in their back yards---culling would really cut your food miles! more ›

A report released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America's Health finds that adult obesity levels in Illinois increased by nearly a full percentage point in the past year. The Land of Lincoln is now the 26th-ranked state in the nation for adult obesity. more ›

Monica Eng vented about the long lines at Garrett Popcorn's Randolph Street location in the Stew today, and also expressed gratitude that they've opened a temporary "Holiday Express" location on Boul Mich (625 N. Michigan) for pre-packaged popcorn only. So those of you wanting to buy Garrett for gifts now know where to go so the rest of us don't have to wait in line waiting for you to decide on a tin. more ›

Want to know how detailed a city health inspection of Our Town's restaurants can become? Tribune reporter Monica Eng recently followed two Public Health Inspectors around as they scared the hell out of unsuspecting restaurant owners with spot inspections. How detailed are the inspectors? more ›

Growing up in a family with Southern roots, we were always exposed to freshly butchered meat. Mom bought poultry on a regular basis from Ciales on Armitage or Western Meat Market, by Clemente High School. Our stepfather's family ran a livestock abbatoir/market in Mississippi. One of our first summer jobs was at a catfish farm in Tennessee. We were paid by the dressed pound, which might have seemed like an urchin's wage. But that job paid for our first trip to Mexico. Our brother-in-law traps raccoons in Wisconsin every winter to sell the fur and cook the meat, and we've hunted for deer, boar and the wily squirrel. It forces one to come to terms in his approach towards eating meat. It's not taken lightly in our family, believe that. more ›

Jesus, have things been busy lately, highlighted by the re-opening of Schwa last night. The Tribune recapped everything we've already read about the events surrounding Michael Carlson and company in recent months, from the killer dinner he prepared for Trotter, Adria, Blumenthal, and a host of culinary Illuminati; to closing Schwa the next day, then going into deep hiding to recharge and re-energize, and coming back. more ›

The Tribune would like to remind you that we live in a state where, sometimes, people hunt and eat raccoons. It's forms the basis of their story today regarding the "word-of-mouth raccoon meat market" in Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri, and how people across the state are turning their appetites to the critters. Can't say as we blame them; raccoon is pretty tasty as a stew meat. more ›

Monica Eng at the Trib must be helping Chicago win its title of "most caffeinated" city; she tried 32 different coffees for a story in today's paper about which coffees taste the best. Coming out on top are cups of coffee from Metropolis, Intelligentsia, Coffee Beanery Ltd., Whole Foods, Cafe Colao, Illy, Peet's Coffee (our personal favorite), and Julius Meinl. She also recommends picking up the banana cream tart at Fox & Obel to... more ›

It's Easter, y'all. That means, in addition to the re-enactment of the Passion happening as we write this in Pilsen, churches will be filled, families will gather, and restaurants will offer Easter Brunch specials. We have a few for you, in addition to the usual complement of food news and notable events. So sit back and unbuckle your belts. Who Comes Up With These Names, Anyway?: Leave it to us to be late to the... more ›

Last night, some of Chicago’s best-known music writers and editors got together to answer a simple question: how does an unknown band get nice things written about them? The discussion, presented by the Chicago Music Commission was titled “Pitching Your Story: Media and Local Music” with Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot serving as moderator. In attendance were Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork Media; Peter Margasak of the Chicago Reader; David Jakubiak, with the Chicago Sun-Times;... more ›