Food Culture

2 articles

From Stone Tablets to Bills of Fare: How the Restaurant Menu Evolved Over Three Millennia

The restaurant menu has evolved over three millennia, from ancient Assyrian banquet records and functional Chinese lists to the modern French-influenced document that reflects societal values and class aspirations. This evolution reveals the menu as a dynamic cultural artifact, not just a simple list of dishes.

Santiago Vargas·October 21, 2026

Carlo Petrini, founder of the Slow Food movement, is remembered as a visionary who championed local traditions and a slower pace of eating.

Culture

Carlo Petrini, Slow Food founder, dies, leaving global food legacy

Carlo Petrini, the visionary who convinced millions across 160 countries to slow down their eating, has died at 76 in his hometown of Bra, Italy.

Isabela Costa·May 25, 2026