• Chicago’s Elysian Hotel, home to much-admired restaurants Ria and Balsan, was named the top hotel in America and #7 worldwide by Conde Nast Traveler. [Conde Nast Traveler]
• Who knew? Japan has a booming artisanal-cheese industry. [Japan RealTime/WSJ]
• This chart tracks the fascinating afterlife of bourbon barrels from four distilleries; Alinea uses them for cocktails, then for herb planters. [Tasting Table]
• According to philanthropist Howard Buffet, Western countries are going about African food aid all wrong. [Forbes]
• Things are not looking good for casual dining chains through 2012, according to research. [NRN]
• Curious about a week in the life of a culinary student? Here you go. [HuffPo]
