By pretty much all accounts, 2016 was a rough year. From a presidential election that can only be described as a national embarrassment to the deaths of many beloved celebrities and everything in between, it's fair to say this wasn't our year.
Despite all of the madness in 2016, there were actually tons of new inventions to make cooking easier, restaurant freebies, and food trends that came onto the scene in a major way this year, all of which I learned about through Spoon. So, instead of wallowing in all of the terrible things that happened this year, here's 16 Spoon moments that prove 2016 didn't *totally* suck:
1. Domino's debuted its pizza drone
This year, Domino's took their 30-minutes-or-less guarantee to a new level when they launched their drone delivery system. The company is currently working on expanding its fleet, which means there's something to actually look forward to in 2017.
2. Cooked came out on Netflix
A personal favorite of mine, Cooked stars author, Michael Pollan, of The Omnivore's Dilemma Fame. This four-part mini-series delves deep into the methods and culture surrounding four basic cooking methods: fire, air, water, and earth. Both highly informative and full of #foodporn, this documentary is a must-watch.
3. Cooking videos took on a life of their own
2016 was the year of the cooking video, and boy did they come along at the right time. I don't know how I would have gotten through this year without being able to watch endless amounts of food porn to distract from all the chaos.
4. Qdoba gave out free queso for a day
Back in October 2016, the Mexican fast-casual joint added two new queso flavors to its menu. As part of a menu tasting, the company offered the two new dips for free with the purchase of an entrée and asked customers to tweet which was their favorite. Eventually, it was determined that Queso Verde was the winner, and any customer who visited a Qdoba on December 4th after 2 pm got a free sample.
5. Real-life Luke's Diner's popped up nationwide for one day only
For me and many others, the Gilmore Girls revival was just about the only good thing that happened in November. To celebrate its triumphant return to television all throughout the country, hardcore fans of the show flocked to participating coffee shops on October 5th to experience what it might be like to have coffee at Luke's. Needless to say it did not disappoint.
6. Studies found that red wine might aid weight loss
Diet plans that advocate for users to steer clear of all alcohol may be wrong. Apparently there's a compound found in red wine called resveratrol, which helps convert "white fat" into "beige fat," making it easier to burn. Now that's something I can raise a glass to.
7. Oreo and Milka joined forces to create two outrageous new candy bars
While 2016 was full of questionable food mash-ups (think dessert ramen), this one is certainly not one of them. The Swiss chocolate company collaborated with America's favorite cookie to create two new chocolate bars that truly blew our minds.
8. The return of the Moscow Mule
After 75 years of near obscurity, the Moscow Mule suddenly found itself as 2016's trendiest drink. Though traditionally made of vodka, ginger beer, and lime and served in its signature copper cup, there really is no limit as to what you can do to spice this drink up.
9. Shake Shack rolled out its new Chick'n Shack Sandwich
The beloved burger joint took on a whole new venture and we're so happy they did. This crispy, spicy sammie breathes new life into the classic chicken sandwich. The best part? Shake Shack is set to expand its menu even more in 2017.
10. The CHiP Smart Cookie Oven made dessert great again
Dubbed the "Keurig machine for cookie lovers," the CHiP Smart Cookie Oven guarantees perfect cookies every time. Simply pop in a cookie pod, press a button, and bam—a warm, chewy, gooey cookie in no time.
11. Girl Scout Cookie Cereal made our breakfast dreams come true
While certainly not the healthiest item to hit the shelves in 2016, these miniature versions of our favorite Girl Scout Cookies were one of the best. Available in thin mint and caramel crunch (aka Samoas), these little guys are guaranteed to stir up all kinds of nostalgia.
12. Rolled Ice Cream finally made it big in America
Ever since I went to Thailand on a service trip a few years back, I've been waiting for this Thai market classic to make it big in America. Luckily for me, 2016 was the year. All across the USA, from Philly to San Diego, rolled ice cream shops popped up and quickly became a summer staple. Even better, Spoon taught us how to make it at home.
13. Kellogg's opened its first cereal café in NYC
Located in the heart of New York's Times Square, this café is every cereal-lover's dream. Taking a hint from London's popular Cereal Killer Café, this breakfast mecca allows you to mix and match your favorite Kellogg's cereals and toppings, finishing it off with the milk of your choice. I went here over the summer and it was everything I could have wished for and more.
14. Poké became our new national obsession
2016 was the year of poké—and Pokémon. This Hawaiian staple finally hit the mainland and I couldn't be happier. A new twist on sushi, this healthy and delicious meal is here to stay.
15. Chrissy Teigen announced that she's writing a second cookbook
Though it's not due to be released for a little while, the announcement of a follow-up to Cravings was all we needed to make it through until January 1st. I personally can't wait to see what the model and lifestyle guru has in store for her new book.
16. Weed-infused Nutella came out, just in time for the legalization of recreational marijuana in eight states
'Nuff said.
It turns out 2016 wasn't quite as much of a garbage dump of a year as I thought. So thank you, Spoon, for keeping me sane this year—I couldn't have made it through without ya.