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Next Up For Twitter: Wine

YumSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:42:20 -0700

Those who've been mystified by Twitter's business model will find themselves further intrigued by the social networking sensation's latest venture: a Twitter wine label.

Fledgling, as it's called, launched today both online and on Twitter. For $20, oenophiles and Twitter fiends can choose between a California Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, both produced by custom wine facility Crushpad. For each bottle purchased, $5 will go to Room to Read, a world literacy organization.

The partnership between Twitter, Crushpad, and Room to Read - all based in San Francisco - is being labeled the largest online wine project to date. Would you be inclined to buy a bottle of vino from Twitter?

A note to Twitter users: Don't forget to follow YumSugar on Twitter!

Raise Breast Cancer Awareness in the Kitchen

YumSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:50:27 -0700

October isn't just National Vegetarian Month; it also happens to be the 25th year that America's celebrated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I'm all for finding a cure, and being the gourmand that I am, my favorite place to support the cause is in the kitchen. My philosophy? Whether you've got $5 or $500, there are ways to show your solidarity. To see eight of my favorite ideas, keep reading.

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KFC Closing Stores For a Good Cause

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:36 -0700

Is KFC trying to make amends for the Double Down, its infamous sandwich made with chicken patties instead of bread? The chicken chain is taking a break from inventing indulgent new foods to fight hunger, starting next Tuesday. Over the next few weeks, KFC will temporarily close more than 15,000 locations during the lunch rush and convert them into "World Hunger Relief Kitchens."

The kitchens will serve free grilled chicken meals to needy families while also raising awareness with charitable food drives and car washes at the shuttered stores. Fighting hunger is a pet cause of parent company Yum Brands, which launched a World Hunger Relief fund in 2007. Though there is some irony to KFC giving away free grilled chicken while it's being sued for grilled chicken, I can definitely get behind this good cause.

What do you think about the store closings: publicity stunt or sincere do-gooding?

World's Largest Cupcake Attempt Is a Sweet Success

YumSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:30:04 -0700

Another one to add to the list of highly unconventional cupcakes: This 1,224-pound behemoth of a baked good, which just knocked out a recent record contender for the title of world's largest cupcake.

The prodigious pastry, which composed of triple vanilla cake batter and topped with pink frosting, was more than eight times the size of the previous record holder in girth. It stood 4 feet tall and spanned 11 feet around, and was created by Manchester, NH-based GourmetGiftBaskets.com. It required 800 eggs, 200 pounds each of sugar and flour, five days of preparation, and 12 hours of baking time.
Slices of the cupcake were served over the weekend at the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise Classic Car Show in Detroit, MI, in exchange for donations to breast cancer foundation Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Even though the cupcake contained an estimated 2 million calories, I wouldn't have been able to pass up this once-in-a-lifetime indulgence. Does the cupcake look appetizing to you?

Photo Courtesy of Charles Whitman

Mission Street Food: Transforming San Francisco's Food Scene

YumSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 05:50:35 -0700

While it's true that most restaurants have been hit hard by the economy, at least one eatery is flourishing. Meet Mission Street Food, an unusual dining concept that's taken flight in San Francisco's Mission district. Two nights a week, Anthony Myint, a former line cook at a well-known restaurant in town, sublets space from a hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant, invites a guest chef to cook, and serves up creative, experimental dishes sourced from well-known farms in the area. Without the overhead costs of a fine dining establishment, Mission Street Food is able to donate a portion of profits to food charities like Meals on Wheels or C.H.E.F.S. The concept also gives Myint and his fellow colleagues a chance to experiment with new dishes. Keep reading to scope out the Mission Street Food scene.

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KFC Hopes to Sweeten the Pothole

YumSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:32:12 -0700

Could potholes be the new billboards? Kentucky Fried Chicken is hoping so with a new marketing and urban renewal program. Last week, as part of the chicken chain's "Fresh Tastes Best" campaign, KFC filled potholes as a private sponsor in Louisville, KY - spray-painting each repair with a stenciled memo: "Re-Freshed by KFC."

The fast food company, which estimates that there are more than 350 million potholes nationwide, wants four more cities to be a part of the campaign and has sent letters to various mayors, offering to patch potholes gratis.

KFC would not comment on how much it will cost the company to fill potholes in five cities. From Starbucks giving free coffee for community service to Kellogg's donating its Michael Phelps cereal boxes to a food bank, companies seem to be focused on marketing their brands next to a good cause.

I'm on the fence about this new campaign. Sure, it couldn't come at a better time for budget-strapped cities that desperately need repair. But on the other hand, I see it as yet another visual space being exploited for marketing purposes. Plus, there are other logistical matters that need to be accounted for - such as what materials are being used, how long KFC would be accountable for the potholes they've fixed, and, of course, the issue of those hideous spray-painted logos. What do you think of the campaign? Are potholes a great cause for KFC to get behind, or is it corporate sponsorship at its worst?

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Kellogg's Donates Michael Phelps Cereal Boxes to Food Bank

YumSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:00:22 -0700

Unwanted publicity from former spokesperson Michael Phelps has forced cereal giant Kellogg's to think outside the box.

Last August, Kellogg's debuted its limited-edition Corn Flakes cereal boxes with the gold medalist on the cover. But when a photo of the Olympian smoking marijuana out of a bong surfaced, Phelps - and, some say, in turn, Kellogg's - were swimming in controversy. Ultimately, the cereal maker decided not to renew a contract with Phelps. One question remained, however. What would be done with all the cereal boxes graced by the champion?

As it should happen, one company's trash is another organization's treasure: Roughly 3,800 pounds of the the boxes were donated to the San Francisco Food Bank two weeks ago.

With the economy in shambles and more people in need than ever, the Food Bank was all too happy to take the boxes off the company's hands. As for cereal, says San Francisco Food Bank executive director Paul Ash: "It's become very hard to get ahold of."

Now that the boxes are no longer on supermarket shelves, they'll probably be collector's items - ones that can only be found at the food bank. Even if I do think the so-called scandal was blown out of proportion, I'm happy to hear that the leftover cereal will further a good cause. Are you surprised to hear of the outcome?

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YumSugar Gift Guide: Last Minute Gourmet Gifts

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:16:11 -0800

As much as we try to avoid it, last-minute shopping inevitably seems to be a part of every holiday season. This year, do yourself a favor: Ditch the stressful, crowded mall, and shop online instead.

Email your Internet-savvy foodie friend with the gift of a customizable Tastebook; set your wine-loving college roommate up with a Wine Enthusiast subscription. For the truly special oenophile, opt for Williams-Sonoma's new wine club - a gift to enjoy year-round.

For more gift ideas, browse the selection below and check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Rachael Ray Uggs: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:30:30 -0800

Somewhere in between winning an Emmy and hosting the Burger Bash, Food Network star and TV personality Rachael Ray found time to custom-design these Winter boots. The boots were a part of Ugg Australia's Art & Sole auction, a charity fundraiser that benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The shoes auctioned off for a whopping $2,350 - the second-highest closing bid, behind Ugg boots designed by Kelly Ripa. Ray sprayed hers burnt-orange and adorned them with a whisk and her trademark phrase, "Yum-o." What do you think of her design?

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Starbucks Embarks on Product (RED) Campaign

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:15:27 -0800

Despite its staggering fourth-quarter drop in sales, number one coffee retailer Starbucks has announced a multiyear partnership with charity campaign Product (RED).

From Nov. 27 to Jan. 3 in the US and Canada, Starbucks will donate five cents from the sale of any Starbucks (RED) beverage to the Global Fund to help save lives in Africa.

The exclusive Starbucks (RED) beverages include the Espresso Truffle, Peppermint Mocha Twist, and Gingersnap Latte. And on Dec. 1, the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, Starbucks will be donating five cents for every Starbucks beverage that's made to order.

The chain is going through great effort to get the word out about the new campaign. Instead of their signature green getups, baristas will sport red aprons to highlight the partnership. This Friday, Nov. 28, Starbucks and celebrity chef Mario Batali will take over Times Square, passing out free (RED) coffee beverages. Other celebrities supporting the cause, like Mary-Louise Parker, Helena Christensen, and Annabella Sciorra, will also be on hand at the event.

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