Chow.com put together its list of the interesting and significant moments in food, cookery and the like.

As we gathered stories of Iraqi food poisoning, Martha’s release from prison, overfished oceans, and failed Fluffernutter legislation, a narrative emerged. The food world of 2006, turns out, was eerily like the culture at large, with outsized personalities and major screw-ups (Rachael Ray and spinach), creativity and meaningless fads (vlogging and Pop Rocks cocktails), new technology and old favorites (freezing “griddles” and steakhouses). And it was a time when more folks took responsibility for the impact their personal choices had on the planet (biodiesel and fast food).