YumSugar

While Casual Chains Drop Prices, Fast Food Trades Up

YumSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:00:37 -0700

Regardless of its location, price point, or popularity, no restaurant has remained untouched by the deteriorating economy. While many high-end restaurants have made adjustments, some of the most drastic changes taking place are happening between fast and casual food chains.

Casual restaurant chains such as Applebee's, Chili's, and TGI Friday's have desperately tried to keep sales steady with bargain deals. Applebee's started the trend by appealing to cash-strapped diners with a limited-time offer for a large appetizer with two entrees for just $20. Chili's joined in soon after with a "ten under $7" value menu. Earlier this week, TGI Friday's slashed the prices of all sandwiches and salads to a mere $5.Ironically enough, fast food chains have focused on premium items. Late last year, Burger King aimed to go higher-end with a new line of ribs, and this August, McDonald's is coming out with a one-third-pound Angus beef burger that's priced at $3.99. The number one fast food chain has also been selling specialty coffee drinks at its McCafé stores.

As both segments expand their food offerings, the casual chain and fast food sectors have become somewhat redundant. Have you frequented more fast food or casual chains lately? Which do you think has a better business model?

Source

Would You Send This Back?

YumSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:01:33 -0700

Some poor souls were in search of sustenance and so they stopped by their local Applebee's in Woodland, CA. They ordered the Bruschetta Burger - after all the photo looked great - and waited for their meal. However when their food arrived, they were presented with the most extreme ad vs. reality ever. Instead of garlic parmesan fries served in a ramekin, they were served a "cylinder of slimy, greasy fries with a couple pieces of parmesan cheese on top." Talk about crazy! I'd like to think I'd take a pic and then complain to the waitstaff, and then never head back again. What would you have done?

Source: Consumerist

Yummy Link: IHOP buys Applebee's

YumSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:28:39 -0700

In a bold move, International House of Pancakes (aka IHOP) bought Applebee's for $2.2 Billion. - The Consumerist

KFC Being Sued Over Kentucky Grilled Chicken

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:50:37 -0700

KFC's Kentucky Grilled Chicken made quite the headlines when it first hit the market - and the media attention doesn't look like it's about to stop. Yesterday vegetarian advocacy group Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, or PCRM, announced its plans to sue KFC, alleging the chain failed to warn customers that its grilled chicken contains a carcinogen.The cancer-causing compound in question? PhIP, an amino that can be found in grilled meat. PCRM says it submitted samples to an independent lab that confirmed the presence of the carcinogenic compound in all pieces.

The suit follows a similar 2008 PCRM case against McDonald's, Burger King, Chick fil-A, Chili's, Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse, and TGI Friday's. Burger King, the only chain that wound up settling with the advocacy group, now posts signs inside its California locations warning against the possible presence of PhIP.

Do you believe these findings? Are they enough to deter you from eating Kentucky Grilled Chicken?

Source

Announcing the First Golden Clog Award Nominees

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:13:31 -0800

You may know the James Beard Awards, and you might also know the Food Network Awards, but have you heard of the Golden Clog Awards?

Food author Michael Ruhlman - you may remember him from The Next Iron Chef - and bad boy Anthony Bourdain have put their heads together and have created the Golden Clog Awards. They said it's born out of "too many beers and late night yakatori," and I think it's just downright fun. The categories are hysterical, and their reasons even more so. Bourdain has actually managed to nominate himself for an award even! The actual awards will take place this Friday, but if you're curious to see the categories - including "The Alton" and "The Douchebag" - and nominees, read more.

The Fergus:For greatest achievement in pork, and/or guts
Martin Picard of Montreal's "Au Pied de Cochon"; David Chang of New York's "Momofuku Noodle Bar and Momofuku Ssam and ..."; Chris Cosentino of San Francisco's "Incanto"
The Alton: For being on Food Network and yet, somehow managing to Not Suck

Duff Goldman for Ace of Cakes--and for his relative low visibility and seeming lack of cooperation in the usual knuckleheaded FN Holiday co-branded clusterfucks; Ina Garten for actually cooking just about everything impeccably--and for (like Duff) being nearly invisible elsewhere on the Network; Giada de Laurentiis for doing everything (but the food) wrong and yet... still cooking consistently better than she has to.

The Mario: For the chef/restaurateur who best multi-tasked, multi-platformed, merchandised, whored himself, or opened multi-units (either while impaired--or not) and yet STILL managed to protect the quality of the mothership--while continuing to make valuable contributions to the restaurant landscape

Tom Collichio, Thomas Keller, Mario Batali

The Rocco: For worst career move

Gordon Ramsay for the cruel and pointless freak show that is Hell's Kitchen; David Burke for the "Hooters in a Hula skirt" non-charms of Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Times Square; Tyler Florence for Applebees, Applebees, Applebees

The Chef's Chef Award: Also known as The What's a Publicist? Award for the chef who continues to make the kind of food other chefs like, while flying largely under the national radar

Scott Bryan for Veritas and now -- some place in Virginia; Mark Vetri for Osteria and Vetri in Philly; Paul Kahan for Blackbird and Avec in Chicago

The Cat Cora Award: For most fame based on least actual culinary achievement

Guy Fieri for..."Tex Wasabi?"; Tony Bourdain--"One fucking book. Did this asshole ever work anyplace GOOD?"; Robert Irvine--"Sir Robert? Uh....Maybe not. Prince Charles' wedding cake?...uh...no. White House? Hmmm..not according to Walter Scheib....Five Stars? Who IS this guy? Really?"

Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places Award:

MJ Adams at the Corn Exchange in Rapid City SD; Andrew Meek at Sage in Windsor Heights, Iowa; Jim Kyndberg at the Bayport Cookery, Bayport MN; Stuart Tracey of the Pirogue Grill in Bismark, North Dakota

The Steingarten: For the writer or blogger who actually GETS it

Bill Buford for Heat; Pim for Chez Pim; Mike Nagrant for Hungrymag.com

The Douchebag: For the best example of twisted, repressed, or compromised "I'd rather be making lemon bundt cake with My Cat, Mr. Mufflesworth" journalist who actually HATES food and hates the people who make food even more

Alan Richman for taking a big Dump on New Orleans at the worst possible time. And for his totally disingenuous piece on celebrity chefs not being behind the stove when Alan chooses to dine; John Mariani for continuing to be John Mariani and do what he does so well. Which is--apparently--get free stuff; Bob Lape--"Do I have to pay for that?": Regina Schrambling for her deranged, embittered--yet fascinating--gastropoda.com, where she raves and rags on her former employers--(and Mario Batali) like an ex-lover-turned-bag lady.

The Swollen Liver Award: For the chef/or food person who has most consistently resisted the cruel attentions of PETA and the Food Police

Laurent Manrique, Michael Romano, Chris Cosentino, Ariane Daguin

The Crazy Bastard Special Achievement Award: For the chef/operator who did the most insanely wonderful or heroic fucking thing in recent memory

Chef Donald Link of Cochon in New Orleans.

The Supreme Order of Clogness Award: For the chef or restaurateur or food writer or food producer or food "personality" who simply did it best--or made the most significant thing, moved things forward, or changed the landscape of food in wonderful NEW ways

Winner to be announced.

Source

Alton Brown Is Welch's New Spokesman

partysugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:03:12 -0800

Dunkin' Donuts has Rachael Ray, T.G.I. Fridays has Guy Fieri, and Applebee's has Tyler Florence, so it's only natural for Welch's to want their very own Food Network spokesperson. They've found the perfect match in food scientist Alton Brown. Brown will appear in the new 100 percent grape juice from Concord grapes campaign. He'll appear in television, print, and online advertising. Chris Heye, vice president of marketing for Welch's, explains why Alton is the perfect fit for grape juice:

People have a growing interest in foods and beverages that deliver health benefits. Alton is the perfect partner to help us explain the science behind our Concord grapes and the health benefits they deliver to moms and their families. He has a knack for conveying these messages in a way that is both engaging and credible.

The ads will run from now until March 2009. Although it may seem like an unlikely partnership, Alton selling grape juice is no stranger to me than Rachael selling donuts. What do you think, does Alton Brown make you want to buy grape juice?

Source

All the News That's Fit to Eat - August 20, 2008

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:15:16 -0700

For a taste of Summer in Europe, try these cocktails. - Seattle Times
Merlot lovers, still reeling from their Sideways snub, set the record straight with a movie of their own. - Chicago Tribune
A day in the sensory world of a professional coffee taster. - Los Angeles Times
Meet Food Studies, the crossroads where academia and food meet. - Washington Post
Which commercial vanilla ice cream tastes the best? - Boston Globe
Did you know these five items taste delicious right off the grill? - Dallas Morning News
Jessica Simpson has yet another professional title under her belt: beer spokeswoman. - Huffington Post
In case you don't have enough, here are fifteen more uses for homegrown tomatoes. - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Applebee's female CEO gives the restaurant chain a much-needed menu makeover. - New York Times
Beat the heat with these summer cocktail party suggestions.- San Francisco Chronicle

Source

Yummy Links: Weekly Food News Roundup

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:03:18 -0700

Should bars put sealed lids on drinks in order to prevent drugs from being slipped in? - Liquor Snob
Maybe someday I'll be lucky enough to make it to the Aspen Food & Wine Classic. Or as it's dubbed "The Sundance of Food." - Serious Eats

Need some more kitchen tips? Check out the top secrets from this years best new chefs - Yahoo Food
Did you hear about the toddler who was served alcohol at Applebee's? - Slashfood
With the newest round of certification in place, just how organic is organic? - Culinate
Sad but true, McDonald’s fish sandwich is more sustainable than Nobu’s tuna sashimi. - Chow
Wanna take up baking? Be sure to stock up on the 10 things you need for baking in your kitchen. - Baking Bites