What does it take to make Italy’s fourth largest mineral water company effervescent? Acquiring Tuscany-based chocolate maker Amedei, known for its gourmet chocolate bars, truffles and chocolate products, would certainly make anyone bubbly.

As I sipped my coffee this morning, taking in the “fire and fury “ headline from the Chicago Tribune, I happened to notice a teaser headline in the Food & Dining section of the paper. “This is how much candy you can get for $5.”

Deerfield, Ill.-based Mondelez International has turned to a French fry food executive to create some sales sizzle as Irene Rosenfeld, chairman and ceo of the confectionery and snack multinational, opts for retirement. 

As I’ve come to realize over the years, my crystal-balling powers haven’t earned me any plaudits. Hence, it’s one of the reasons I stay away from speculation regarding who’s going to buy whom. But there are always exceptions to the rule.

When President Donald Trump announced he was going to showcase American-made products at the White House during the “Made in America” week, the obvious question soon sprung up.  How were the companies to be selected?

When Todd Siwak, ceo of Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Ferrara Candy Co. shared his vision about helping “improve the lives of employees” with Mike Goldwasser, the company’s chief human resources officer, the idea of providing scholarships surfaced soon afterwards.

It’s not every day that this humble editor has lunch prepared and served to him by a corporate executive chef.