Humans have always needed to eat, but the ways in which we satisfy our nutritional needs are subject to change.  I doubt that the pace of change in food has ever been swifter than in our lifetimes, due to the striking internationalization of our diets and to the industrialization of the restaurant industry via the proliferation of fast food outlets. I grew up in an era where tacos were exotic, Thai food unheard of, and the concept of a fusion Korean/Mexican fusion taco truck unthinkable.Food is much more than a mere biological necessity; it is a major source of pleasure and fascination, and provides a venue for social interaction. Like everything else in our culture, food has also become politicized, with fast food outlets, particularly drive through windows, blamed for obesity and other ailments.A brand new website, The Culinary Historian, has been created by Deborah Duchon, who is an AT contributor as well as a featured expert on the Food Network program Good Eats. If you are...(Read Full Post)