Chubby folks live longer, free lunch at Mandarin, booze hoarding at the LCBO

• The LCBO has reached a tentative deal with its union, but in the past few days restaurateurs and the public played it safe by stocking up on alcohol, leaving stores with empty shelves. If we didn’t know better, we’d call the strike threat a genius marketing move. [Canadian Press]

• Nothing says Canada Day like Chinese food. Buffet chain Mandarin is offering free meals to celebrate July 1 between noon and 8:30 p.m., but diners have to show proof of citizenship before they can load up. [City TV]

• A good baguette is hard to find nowadays, according Michael Steinberger’s new book, Au Revoir to All That: Food, Wine and the End of France. The gastronomical obit says the decline of home cooking, chefs resting on the laurels of Michelin stars and the lack of economic growth is halting France’s progress on the culinary scene. [Toronto Star]

• A new study in Obesity Journal suggests that slightly overweight seniors outlive their skinnier counterparts because extra fat acts as an energy reserve during illness or long hospital stays. This doesn’t mean that the elderly should fill up on charcuterie, but it takes some pressure off regarding prune juice intake. [Canada.com]

• Once again, the marketing team at Burger King says no thanks to subtlety in their new ad for the “BK Super Seven Incher.” In the ad, which is running in Singapore, a woman is depicted with her mouth wide open as the phallic sandwich floats centimetres from her lips. The text also has such cringe-worthy gems as “Fill your desire for something long…” [Entertainment Weekly]