• Richard Ruskell, pastry chef at Montage Beverly Hills, won the $100,000 prize as the victor of Last Cake Standing. [SF Gate]
• “Yak’s meat is lean and protein-packed, low in cholesterol and revered for its sweet, delicate, beef-like flavor,” which is precisely why it might just be the next meat trend. If you’re seeking a nhearty dish of it in L.A., get yourself to Tara’s Himalayan. [Globe and Mail]
• Even post-recession, many consumers haven’t been able to go back to spending freely in restaurants. [NRN]
• Talented food photographer and all-around cool guy Matt Armendariz recently released his first cookbook, On a Stick. [LAW]
• Something to consider for your next picnic: There’s a whole class of “robust, funky” sakes that pair well with smoked meats, cheeses, and chocolate. [SE]
• A man in Georgia put the “house” in Waffle House when he was found living on the rooftop of one of the chain’s locations. [WAGT 26]
