Weekend Reading

The history of Chinese takeout in Manhattan, the surprising world of competitive eating, and Ruth Reichl's beautiful upstate home.

Here are 6 of our favorite things we read this week: 

• As it turns out, shopping lists serve as great inspiration for surreal photographs. [Munchies]

• Being a woman in the competitive eating circuit involves a lot more than stomaching gyoza. [Maxim]

• Ruth Reichl's home in Spencertown, New York, started out as a summer house, but ended as a haven. [The New York Times]

We already know Gabrielle Hamilton from dishes like her endive salad, but we'll get to know her in front of the camera in this season of Mind of a Chef.

• Gabrielle Hamilton shares her thoughts on appearing on television, brunch, and what it was like to write the Prune cookbook. [Eater]

• Lobster isn't the scarse commodity it once was. The proof is in the McLobster. [The New York Times]

• New York City is filled with Chinese takeout spots—and their history is as interesting as the lo mein at that place on 2nd Ave. [Serious Eats]

Every Sunday, we round up our favorite food reads (podcasts, and videos) from the week, so you can sit back with that cup of coffee and settle in to catch up on what's happening in the world of food.