• Who knew? Japan has a booming artisanal-cheese industry. [Japan RealTime/WSJ]
• According to philanthropist Howard Buffett, Western countries are going about African food aid all wrong. [Forbes]
• Zach Brooks pens a piece on street food and the contributions of U.S. immigrants and first generation citizens to the widespread options available throughout the country. [Vilcek]
• Curious about a week in the life of a culinary student? Here you go. [HuffPo]
• You only have to drink 20 beers at SmithHouse to join its new MugClub, giving you access to your own personalized pimp cup glass mug. [LAT]
• Russ Parson breaks down two books to help home cooks get their feet wet. One is even called How to Boil Water. [LAT]
• Elina Shatkin is campaigning to get the word “slizzard” into Merriam-Webster. [Squid Ink]
• This chart tracks the fascinating afterlife of bourbon barrels from four distilleries; Alinea uses them for cocktails, then for herb planters. [Tasting Table]
• Things are not looking good for casual dining chains through 2012, according to research. [NRN]
