Sampler Platter: bacon candle, food stamps, cheesecake and sugary cereals

--Gwyneth Paltrow’s L.A. restaurant picks: Church and State, Gjelina, Shima, Madeo, Cecconi’s, Tavern, Animal, Osteria La Buca, Yong Su San, the Best Fish Taco in Enseneda, La Estrella Taco Truck, Kogi, Varnish. Goop--Several sites are giving away pairs of tickets to Great Chefs of L.A., a benefit that happens on Nov. 8 for the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California.--Costco to accept food stamps nationally. L.A. Times--Living close to food is good for your waistline. Salt Lake Tribune--Troy Smith, founder of Sonic drive-in chain, dies. Baltimore Sun--UN delivers food aid by text message to Iraqi refugees in Syria. The Telegraph--Sugariest cereals for kids get advertised the most. Consumerist--Offensive Creole Creme cookies removed from Australian stores. 9News--Chef Rick Gresh of David Burke’s Primehouse in Chicago brings his edible bacon fat candle to NYC. Gothamist--Cheesecake? C’mon, what are New Yorkers really eating? New York Times--Moderate amounts of protein, rather than a lot, might be best for muscle. Booster Shots--Former combat marine turned chef serves up meals for seniors as a way of giving back to community. New York Daily News