Let me start by saying this anthology is like a carefully curated tasting menu—some bites dazzle, others feel like filler courses. As someone who devours food writing (pun intended), I appreciated how this edition captures the unique struggles and silver linings of dining during COVID-19.

The standout piece? The utterly bizarre yet fascinating profile of a water sommelier—who knew H2O could have such nuance? I found myself describing it to friends mid-read, the mark of truly compelling food journalism.

That said, the collection does lean heavily into socio-political commentary. While important, after several essays about supply chain ethics and restaurant labor struggles, I craved more visceral descriptions that'd make my stomach growl. Where were the passages about sizzling steaks or gooey chocolate desserts?

Physically, my copy arrived in perfect condition (though some reviewers weren't as lucky). The matte cover feels substantial in hand—this isn't some flimsy paperback you'd toss in a beach bag.

Would I recommend it? If you want pure culinary escapism, maybe skip this year. But if you're hungry for thoughtful pandemic-era food narratives with a few exceptional gems mixed in, it's worth savoring slowly—perhaps with your beverage of choice (now you'll overanalyze its mineral content thanks to that sommelier piece).