Lao Cuisine, GMOs, Kansas City: 10 Hot Topics On Food Republic

We learned a lot this week. From the delicious details of Lao and Swedish cuisines, to cooking potatoes with photon lasers, we fed our brains with gastronomic knowledge. We watched another food documentary, checked out the diverse food scene in Kansas City, Missouri, got thoroughly creeped out by an ice cream commercial and read up on France's obsession with food. All that and more on this week's Hot Topics.

  • We sat down with filmmaker and funnywoman Kulap Vilaysack and talked all about Lao cuisine.
  • Kansas City is more than barbecue and steakhouses. Here are eight restaurants not to miss.
  • We watched Food Evolution and learned a lot about GMOs.
  • China's latest product to hit the market is caviar.
  • Need to get dinner on the table in only half an hour? This pan-seared sole is just the thing.
  • Halo Top released a new commercial and, frankly, we're a little creeped out.
  • New book Smörgåsbord illustrates everything you need to know about Swedish cuisine.
  • These potatoes aren't roasted, baked or boiled. They're cooked with a photon laser!
  • American breweries are building taprooms to bring business directly to the brewers.
  • There's no denying France has a bloody history. This new book makes a connection to cuisine.