It was a good week in food. Yes, the weather is terrible. Yes, nobody else can breathe either. Yes, all of it yes, yes, yes. But you gotta focus on the positives of being in the Beej. Maybe you've got an ayi who'll wash your window frames for you. Maybe you have the luxury of supporting yourself easily (*cough*English teachers*cough*) while figuring out what you want to do in life. Maybe you're in a city where world-class cuisine is comparatively cheap. So, y'know, go out and get some this weekend.

(Oh, and in case you forgot, we ran this little pizza competition a while back. Now we're throwing it a party. Keep reading for details and more food news.)

First broken resolution of 2012: "get up earlier". First food regret of 2012: overcooked beef tenderloin. First nutty food discovery of 2012: BEIJING DUCK FLAVORED PRETZ. I found these in a jumbo pack at Qingdao duty-free, of all places, for RMB 200-ish. Other interesting "Chinese" flavors include Shanghai Hairy Crab, Guangdong Shark Fin Soup, Sichuan Mala, Oolong Tea, Lychee and Chestnut. Please, please, please keep an eye out at your convenience store, your supermarket, your xiaomaibu - and let me know if you find these little gems. Or if you happen to pass through Qingdao Duty-Free and have a spare RMB 200. There is a reward: I will buy you a sandwich.*

Now, onto eating news of a bit more import. 

Growing up without an extended family around, Christmas was always a perfunctory affair with just a couple of gifts and maybe a short holiday. Why break with tradition this year? I will be fleeing for slightly warmer shores shortly. However, if you, dear Reader, are staying in Beijing, we've got some glorious eating options for you, and also a chance to win a New Years' dinner for two (including free-flow alcohol) at Kerry's Kitchen in the newly-renovated Kerry Hotel. Trust me, it's pretty swish.

Thirteen days 'til Christmas, folks! If you don't have your act together - no presents bought, no decorating done and no recipes Googled, you ought to get on that. On that last front, we can help you out. Today's post is the first of three Christmas-themed posts, with a focus on Dining Out during Christmas. We've rounded up the jolliest Christmas Eve dinners for you to sink your merry little teeth into, and we've even got a free dinner to give away. For your chance to win a Christmas Eve dinner for two to the St. Regis, read on.

When asked “what makes people happy?,” one colleague of mine answered “food, sleep and sex.” Assuming that she’s correct, a combination of two of those three could only be a good thing. Enter Shake ‘Em Buns, a Hong Kong burger chain bringing sexed-up patties to Beijing. With names like “Debbie Does Dallas” and “Happy Threesome,” Shake ‘Em Buns will have you blushing as you order. We went along to the official opening last night, partook in the finger food – and were thus spared from needing to ask the server for a “Philly Willy.”