Experimental eating is grabbing headlines, and Mexican street food chain Wahaca's new grasshopper dish is no exception. Can the foreign origins of these provocative products be harnessed to create an appealing sense of authenticity?

Can our eating habits represent our identity? We sat down with Eating right in America author Charlotte Biltekoff to discuss how what we eat aligns with our aspirations and ethical codes, and our shifting perceptions of health.

As experiences – 'memorable events that engage people in inherently personal ways' – become the predominant economic offering, what are the implications for businesses and organisations?

Whether coffee or chocolate, pizza or pencils, connoisseurship has become a pastime for the masses. But if anyone can become a connoisseur of anything, will the concept lose its mystique?

People want big brands to consider the planet as well as their patrons. Chipotle is ahead in this game, with the recent release of their app-game hybrid campaign The Scarecrow demonstrating the power of emotional storytelling.

As shoppers move online, real-world stores are finding themselves with floor space to fill. Following the example of major players like Tesco, retailers are providing services to complement their existing offerings and enhance their core business.

Retailers are looking to the leisure industry to encourage longer visits and higher spending – treating their stores as part of a broader brand experience. Urban Outfitters' in-store bar will let customers relax during long shopping trips.

With a powerful elite of foodies taking to social media and demanding all things 'local, 'real', and 'independent' how can big food companies challenge the perception that they're part of the problem?