YumSugar

Let's Dish: How Did You Ring in Election Night?

YumSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:00:53 -0800

Regardless of who you voted for, last night was a monumental night in American history. I wasn't feeling so well, so I watched history unfold at home with a beer, although in any other capacity I would've attended PartySugar and LibertySugar's election night bash.

How did you ring in the election? Did you tune in at a sports bar, or throw your own party? What was your election night drink of choice?

Source

Would You Eat This Palin Sandwich?

YumSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:30:09 -0800

Last week I couldn't stop gushing about Ike's Place, my new favorite sandwich joint in town. Well, this weekend, I made a return trip there and tried one of their new offerings, an election-minded sandwich called The Palin.

Generously sized for its $8.98 price tag, The Palin was jam-packed with shredded chicken breast, deep-fried mozzarella sticks, blue cheese, and Frank's Red Hot Sauce. While I wished there had been a little less hot sauce, I thought the result was one heavenly mess.

Palin Pig Sandwich: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:30:49 -0700

In case you haven't gotten enough of Barack Obama's "lipstick on a pig" comment, restaurant owners in Sarah Palin's home state of Alaska have decided to make a sandwich based on the statement.

The McPalin Grilled Pig Sandwich is on the menu at Lion's Den in Anchorage, AK. Said owner Dale Keefe, "I kept thinking about that news story when I was making sandwiches and I just kind of had an epiphany."

The $13 sandwich, which has been selling out at the restaurant, consists of pork tenderloin, caramelized apples, red onions, melted cheddar cheese, and crisp bacon. It comes with an unusual side of fries and lipstick.

Source

Campbell's Emphasizes Oodles of Noodles With New Campaign

YumSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:30:02 -0700

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of its celebrated chicken noodle soup, food company Campbell's has really used its noodle. Yesterday, the 140-year-old company launched a bold campaign called "Slurp" to get consumers to think about its staid soup in a new way.

To promote the fact that there are 32 feet of egg noodles in every can of its chicken noodle soup, the corporation partnered with ad agency BBDO New York and Traction Creative. They've erected a giant billboard with a 54-foot noodle coming out of it, which appears to be slurped by a mannequin standing in a window three stories above.The billboard is near Manhattan's Times Square and will be displayed on the corner of 7th Avenue and 53rd Street for the next four weeks, where it will attract plenty of attention in a high-traffic area.

The campaign is cute - I only wish I could see the billboard in person! - and I learned something new (I would never have guessed there are 32 feet of noodles in every Campbell's can). What do you think of the marketing effort? Does it make you want to buy Campbell's chicken noodle soup?

Source: Flickr User Vagamundos

Che Guevara's Granddaughter Shows Skin For PETA Campaign

YumSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:35:58 -0700

PETA is targeting South America as the market for its latest campaign. The organization's spokesperson? None other than Lydia Guevara, granddaughter of Marxist leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara. In the organization's first-ever South American campaign for vegetarianism, the scantily clad Lydia, a vegetarian, wears nothing but bandoliers of baby carrots and a red beret, in a reference to her grandfather, a revolutionary who contributed to Fidel Castro's rise to leadership in Cuba.

"It very much evokes the tagline of the ad, which is 'Join the vegetarian revolution," said PETA representative Michael McGraw. "It's an homage of sorts to her late grandfather." What do you think of the campaign? Does it get your attention in the right way, or it is too racy and politically charged?

Source

Hardee's Is Back With Biscuit Holes and High School Humor

YumSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:50:32 -0700

If you were shocked by Audrina Partridge and Padma Lakshmi's lascivious Carl's Jr. commercials, then wait until you see what the company's up to now. Hardee's, the sister brand to Carl's Jr., has debuted "Biscuit Holes," deep-fried, doughnut hole-shaped biscuits that are iced with cinnamon sugar. To come up with a more creative moniker, however, Hardee's is asking customers for help through a new campaign titled "Name Our Holes." Customers can submit their name ideas on the campaign's microsite, NameOurHoles.com, where they can also view other entries.

In the TV spot below, consumers offer up names ranging from "hole munchers" to "puffy nuts." I don't know about you, but I think Hardee's is taking toilet humor a little too far - just watching the clip makes me feel kind of dirty. In your mind, is the campaign funny and successful, or simply gross and immature?

Source

Hardee's Hopes to Entice Eaters With Racy French Maids

YumSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:26:27 -0700

The marketing masterminds behind Carl's Jr. know that sex sells: this year alone, the fast food franchise has featured lascivious spots starring seductresses such as Padma Lakshmi and Audrina Partridge suggestively scarfing down burgers. And CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, won't stop there. To kick off its new French Dip Thickburger, Hardee's has brought on four feisty "French Maids" who will embark on a national tour, visiting stores and posing for photos. The ladies - appropriately named Sophie, Antoinette, Gabrielle, and Isabelle - hope to lure customers with short skirts, fishnet stockings, and plunging necklines. Consumers will be able to snap pictures with the maids and later locate the images online through a Hardee's microsite, French Me. With their risqué campaigns, the two eateries have certainly gotten media attention. But as they continue down a racy path, are the chains poised to become the fast food equivalent of Hooters? Is the company's marketing approach slick - or edging on vulgar?

Source

In an Absolut World, Affection Replaces Currency

partysugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:30:17 -0800

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Absolut vodka has released a new ad campaign, entitled "Hugs," that's all about spreading love. In the commercial, which debuted last night during the Grammys, money is replaced with acts of affection. For tickets to the movies, the buyer gives the ticket girl two kisses. To pay for a taxi, a young girl lovingly caresses the taxi driver's hand.

At a time when so many large food companies are using aggressive advertising to put down competitors, I find Absolut's ad refreshing, bold, and wonderfully optimistic. After viewing it, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to live in such an idealized world. Watch it below and let me know your thoughts!

Source

Cat Cora's Ultimate Barbecue Brisket Sandwich

partysugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:30:59 -0700

Looking for a fun weekend project? How about making a delectable brisket sandwich? With its fall-apart beef and tangy sauce, this sandwich is so good you'll be licking your fingers for every last bite. Along with her hostess tips, and as part of Macy's Come Together campaign, chef Cat Cora shared this delicious exclusive recipe with us! The brisket is on the menu at her classic barbecue restaurant, CCQ in Costa Mesa, CA.

While there are several components to the sandwich, taking the time to make each element results in a restaurant-worthy 'wich that's sure to impress friends. If you start marinating the brisket now, you can enjoy the sandwiches over the weekend. Cat recommends plating the sandwich with barbecued potato chips, but I paired it with my dad's famous macaroni salad instead. Whatever you serve on the side, you'll need the sandwich recipe, so keep reading.

Come Together With Cat Cora's Barbecued Beans

partysugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:50:30 -0700

To coincide with Hunger Action Month, Macy's has launched a new campaign, entitled Come Together, that urges people to host a dinner party. However, when guests ask the inevitable, "what should I bring?" the answer is nothing. The money that guests would spend on the requisite bottle of wine should be donated to the cause. Although Macy's has created a special website where you can make and send invites and put together a menu, we've partnered with Iron Chef Cat Cora to bring you an exclusive party idea! Cat's menu consists of barbecue classics like brisket sandwiches and coleslaw, so I recommend inviting a big group of people over on a Sunday for a football-viewing party. Cheer on your favorite team while enjoying a delicious, informal meal. To get you started, we've got Cat's variation of baked beans. She combines three types of beans with barbecue sauce and a touch of cinnamon. The resulting beans are my new favorite: they're slightly sweet and depending on the sauce you use, sticky and spicy. The addition of garbanzo beans is genius. To use Cat's recipe to host a Come Together party, read more.

Barbecued Pit Beans
From Cat Cora

Ingredients

2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans chickpeas
2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans kidney beans
2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans pinto beans
2 cups good-quality barbecue sauce, without a smoky flavor
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 scallions, white and tender green parts, thinly sliced

Directions

In a saucepan, combine all of the beans, including their liquid, and the barbecue sauce. Place over medium heat, and stir until the mixture comes to a simmer.
Add the cinnamon and simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced to a sauce consistency.
Remove from the heat and spoon the beans into a warmed serving bowl. Garnish with the scallions and serve immediately.

Serves 8.

Print recipe with images | without images

View 5 Photos ›