Time Out Chicago: Eating vegan - and trying not to hate it. -- Jeff Gordinier The New York Times: As comfort foods go, what could be more comforting than bland, pillowy spätzle? Yet in Berlin, it has become a projectile weapon in a snarky cultural battle. - Patrick Farrell Bocuse D'Or: Hard-core fans of culinary competition will get up early on Jan. 30 to watch the first-ever live stream of the Bocuse D'Or. The United States competes against France, the United Kingdom, the defending champion Denmark and others. -- Julia Moskin Smithsonian: Despite the warnings of doctors and experienced travelers about eating uncooked food in Peru, two stalwart travelers broke all the rules but didn't get sick. Here's how. Hint: they started with Andean corn beer. - Glenn Collins Sommelier Journal: A piece by Jason Tesauro and Phineas Mollod that brings to life the rich, intriguing history of Madeira. -- Jeff Gordinier The New York Times: Visits to the emergency room involving highly caffeinated drinks doubled from 2007 to 2011, we learned last week. Now, some lawmakers have sent letters to 14 marketers of the drinks for a list of ingredients and any company studies showing the risks and benefits to young people. -- Maria Newman The Guardian: Jay Rayner gears up for the arrival of Balthazar in London. -- Jeff Gordinier Reuters: Chipotle Mexican Grill is the latest restaurant empire to be stunned by rising costs for meat and produce, given the impact of the drought; the chain's antibiotic-free provender will be especially expensive. The share price of the former investors darling fell on the news. - Glenn Collins Bloomberg: As proliferating craft-beer brands face the angst of fierce competition in the United States market, the big guys are suffering agita of their own. Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's biggest brewer, is battling with American antitrust regulators over the Grupo Modelo brands it hopes to import from Mexico. InBev is refusing regulators' demands to divest itself of a $600 million Mexican plant it describes as the most modern in the world. - Glenn Collins Bon Appétit: A Beastie Boy who helped feed people after Hurricane Sandy. A teaching kitchen on wheels. A restaurant with culinary day care for the kids. Meet some of the food world's most interesting innovators. -- Jeff Gordinier