1. Opened in Rome in 2010, the Zoc and Urbana 47 (http://www.urbana47.it/en) restaurants serve up food based on fresh, local produce with an emphasis on sustainability and traceability. Both are furnished with an eclectic selection of modern and vintage tables, chairs and decorations, all of which can be purchased by customers. Zoc and Urbana 47

2. San Francisco based food and music blog Turntable Kitchen launched the Turntable Kitchen Pairings Box (http://www.turntablekitchen.com) in July 2011; a curated monthly food and music discovery experience which is mailed to subscribers. Costing USD 25 each month including shipping, subscribers receive a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single featuring tracks by one of TK's favorite artists or bands and an exclusive downloadable digital 'mixtape' packed with up-and-coming musicians. Food items generally include three seasonal recipes, one or two premium dried ingredients, suggested pairings, and tasting notes specific to the package. Turntable Kitchen

3. Launched in November 2010 by US based software development firm Tipsense, Dishtip (http://www.dishtip.com) is a free search engine for food that helps users work out what to eat and where. Users enter their location and favourite dish, and Dishtip will return a list of local restaurants that offer that item. The site also aggregates and analyzes data from thousands of online sources to give each dish a unique rating - users can then compare how their favourite food scores between different restaurants and choose accordingly. The site provides search results for over 50 US cities. Tipsense

4. Throughout July 2011, US based Kraft-owned coffee brand Maxwell House served free coffee to the people of Toronto at its Optimism Café (http://www.kraftbrands.com/maxwellhousecoffee/Pages/default.aspx). The centrally located café was part of the 'Brew Some Good' campaign, which included TV ads and social media activity. Offering free coffee, wifi and even dog biscuits, the café's mission was to help Canadians become more positive while building brand awareness. A variety of events were hosted at the Optimism Café, including appearances by musicians and artists, and a book signing. Kraft

5. Montreal based food producer Lula Farms (https://lufa.com/en) completed construction of a 31,000 square foot rooftop greenhouse in December 2010. Positioned on the roof of an office building in the city center, more than 25 varieties of vegetables are grown without the use of artificial pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. Food is harvested, then packaged and sold to consumers within 24 hours, ensuring a high level of freshness and quality. To buy, customers in Montreal choose products online and can then collect their order each week from their nearest pick-up point. Pricing ranges from CAD 22 to 42 per week depending on the range and variety of produce chosen. Lula Farms

6. In May 2011, US based fitness club chain Gold's Gym launched a series of print ads (http://www.bleublancrouge.ca/en/work/golds-gym/one-hot-gym-.html) depicting charred and smoldering junk food. Showing images of burnt donuts, fries and hamburgers, the humorous advertisements were designed to hint at the idea of 'burning calories' - literally. The intriguing images featured only a very small Gold's Gym logo and no slogan at all, leaving passers-by to work out the advertisement for themselves. Gold’s Gym

7. Launched in August 2011, UK based Foodhost (http://www.foodhost.co.uk) is an online community platform for individuals in the same area to create and host dinner parties. Registration is necessary for website usage, then consumers can look for an event they would like to attend. One-off events require each participant to contribute something; for example drinks, dessert or entertainment. Alternatively, events can take place over a period of a few days, with one individual hosting a dinner party each evening. To book a dinner party place, users must purchase a credit (at a cost GBP 2), which allows them to access the host's contact information, or set up a new event for others to join. Foodhost

8. In April 2011, US based photographic food blog Food Gawker launched a free app (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foodgawker/id428828418?mt=8&ls=1) for iOS devices. The app features recipes, restaurant reviews, food experiences and cooking tips sent in by food bloggers from around the world. Each entry is represented by a single photo, and images undergo a strict vetting procedure for quality. As a result, all the food photos are beautifully presented and professionally edited, which gives the app a striking visual appearance. Users can search through entries by keyword or simply randomize the selection on offer. Food Gawker

9. Cook & Book (http://www.cookandbook.be) is a retail space dedicated to books and food in central Brussels. The concept store is divided into nine themed areas, each with a distinctive decorative style and dining space; visitors can savor tea and scones in the English room or perhaps enjoy a glass of wine while perusing books in the Art or Music rooms. There is also an area for children, and Cook & Book holds regular special events, such as an outdoor cinema program in July 2011. Cook & Book

10. In August 2011, British gin brand Bombay Sapphire (http://www.facebook.com/bombaysapphire?sk=app_167053726685188) partnered with UK based event organizers, the Rebel Dining Society to host an immersive food and drink experience involving color, taste and theater. Guests were handed passports to the event before taking part in five unique micro-experiences that preceded the main Alchemist's Paradise event, in which guests were treated to bespoke cocktails containing flavored bubble concoctions. Beverages at the event were prepared using molecular mixology techniques - a method of creating cocktails using scientific equipment and methodology. Edible fog, live performance and a ballerina peep-show were all part of the experience which took place in London. Bombay Sapphire

11. Launched in May 2011, San Francisco based Gobble (http://www.gobble.com) is an online marketplace for fresh meals from neighborhood chefs with an emphasis on creative, healthy and ethnic food. Local chefs apply to work with Gobble and are selected based on their character, cooking knowledge and food preparation; each specializes in one or more cuisines, and some of the cooks are nutritionists as well. Consumers can order one or more meals at a time from the chef (or chefs) of their choice through Gobble and then pick them up or arrange for delivery, which costs a flat fee of USD 10. All payments are handled through PayPal. Gobble

12. Launched in April 2011, Amsterdam based lifestyle website Foodzy(http://www.foodzy.com) aims to help users keep track of what they eat during the day and then reward healthy eating habits with badges. Users check into the site periodically to register what they've eaten - Foodzy maintains a list of food products specific to the country they live in - and those who regularly eat vegetables, fruit or fish win special badges for their healthy eating habits.Theycan also compete against friends on the site. Foodzy

13. In July 2011, US based fast food retailer Domino's (http://www.dominos.com) launched a month-long promotional campaign in New York. Hiring out a huge billboard space in the city's famous, centrally-located Time Square, the brand live-streamed customer feedback (good and bad) given via Twitter onto the digital hoarding. The move was designed to promote Domino's tracking service, whereby consumers can see the status of their pizza order in real-time. Domino’s

14. In July 2011, UK developer Urban Space opened the Dekalb Market (http://dekalbmarket.com) in Brooklyn, US. The market was constructed from 22 reused shipping containers which were turned into market stalls for retailers, food vendors and arts and crafts stalls. The market also provided spaces for a classroom, kitchen and urban farm to educate and inform local residents with workshops and special events. Dekalb Market

15. US based software firm CloudSource Labs created FoodTruckFastPass(http://www.cloudsourcelabs.com/site/index.php/products/fastpass) in February 2011; an Android app that lets food truck vendors connect with and sell to their customers online. FoodTruckFastPass aims to connect US food trucks and their fans more effectively than is possible through Facebook and Twitter. Utilising Google Maps, the app lets food trucks broadcast their current location to help customers find them. Daily specials and sold-out items can be broadcast using the app as well. Mobile ordering is also enabled by FoodTruckFastPass, CloudSource Labs

16. In January 2009, San Francisco based restaurant chain Café Gratitude began offering a menu choice designed "to allow for those in financial need to have access to organic vegan food." Containing shredded kale with quinoa, black beans and tahini-garlic sauce, the 'I am Grateful' community-supported grain bowl (http://www.cafegratitude.com/component/content/article/40-home-area-three/90-the-grateful-bowl) is offered in every branch of the café. Though the meal has a suggested value of USD 7, payment is by donation, meaning that anyone can enjoy a meal, regardless of their economic means. Café Gratitude

17. Cook and Coffee (http://www.delonghi.com/fr_fr/page/where-to-buy) is a retail space in Paris set up and run by Italian electronic appliance manufacturer De'Longhi. Customers can learn the history of coffee from a specialist barista, sample various blends and try out kitchen appliances including espresso makers and food processors. The space is equipped with interactive screens and from September 2010 onwards, consumers could attend cooking workshops such as to learning how to make custard or pasta, with courses offered free of charge. De’Longhi