YumSugar

Pepsi Gives the Super Bowl the Silent Treatment

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:28:31 -0800

Super Bowl ads are usually associated with loud noises and a lot of hoopla. However this year, PepsiCo is planning on changing all of that. This Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, PepsiCo will air a 60-second commercial filmed in American Sign Language. The commercial, which will air during the pregame show, was created by and features employees of PepsiCo. It will promote both Pepsi and Lay's Potato Chips in the spot, but its main goal is to create awareness for the American deaf community.

The spot, which is called Bob's House, started out as a pet project of several employees. They wrote, created, and taped a demo. The demo got such great internal buzz that senior Pepsi management felt they should give it a big stage. After watching it, I completely understand why. The commercial, which is approved by the National Association of the Deaf, is actually quite clever.

Two guys are headed to their friend's house to watch the big game. Unfortunately, neither of them knows which house is his. I'd tell you what happens next, but it would really give the punchline away. I suggest you tune in on Super Bowl Sunday, but if you can't wait, check out the commercial and the making of when you read more.

Bob's House

The Making of Bob's House

Source

Lay's Goes Local

partysugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 07:50:33 -0700

Frito-Lay, the nation's biggest snack-food company, has announced plans to go local. Next Tuesday the Lay's brand of chips will roll out a new marketing strategy. Dubbed "Lay's Local," the campaign focuses on the 80 farms (scattered across 27 states) that grow the potatoes used to make the chips. Dave Skena, the vice president of potato chip marketing for Frito-Lay, explains the reasoning behind the emphasis on locally grown potatoes:

Knowing where food is made and grown is important to consumers. Sharing with consumers how regional we are is relevant and compelling. Our intention is solely on celebrating the contributions people and communities across the country have made to the Lay's brand.

A Chip Tracker on Lays.com allows consumers to find out where a bag of chips is made. With other companies promoting the use of natural and local ingredients, it comes as no surprise that the snack maker has jumped on the bandwagon.

Lay's potato chips has always been one of my guilty pleasure foods, but how can I feel guilty knowing they're made from locally grown produce? What do you think of the news?

Source

Shrunken Packaged Foods' Slow Return to Their Original Size

YumSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:45:01 -0700

In a small indication that America may be on a slow road to economic recovery, consumer foods marketers are beginning to reintroduce larger packages at the same price. Last year, manufacturers were hit by high fuel and commodity prices, so to avoid blatantly transferring cost increases to consumers, manufacturers such as Hellman's, Tropicana, and Kellogg's quietly began downsizing packages.

Ben & Jerry's even went after the size of Haagen-Dazs in its marketing campaign, pointing out that the rival company had downsized its "pints" from 16 to 14 ounces. But recently, some consumer products, like Pringles Super Stacks, and certain bags of Frito-Lay's chips, have shot back up to their original sizes. It's unclear whether increased package sizes are going to be part of limited-time promotions or permanent reversals.

Which products have you noticed products increasing in size lately?

Don't Lay A Finger On My Butterfinger

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 16:29:12 -0800

People ask me all the time, what is your favorite dessert? I hate the question because I never really know what to say. It's too hard for me to decide on just one dessert when I love them all so much. That's why I am dying to make this cake recipe. Chocolate. Peanut butter. Cream Cheese. Butterfingers. Need I say more? To make this heavenly dessert, read more.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cake with Cream Cheese and Butterfinger Frosting
From Emily Luchetti, author of A Passion For Desserts

Filling
2 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
12 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 cup old-fashioned (natural) chunky peanut butter
Cake
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup old-fashioned (natural) chunky peanut butter
1 pound golden brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
Frosting
1 1/2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar, divided
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
Butterfinger candy bars, coarsely chopped
Glazed peanuts

For filling:

Bring cream and sugar to simmer in saucepan, whisking to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat.

Add chocolate; let stand 1 minute.

Whisk until smooth. Whisk in peanut butter.

Chill uncovered overnight.

For cake:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottoms with parchment paper.

Sift first 4 ingredients into medium bowl.

Using electric mixer, beat butter and peanut butter in large bowl until blended. Beat in sugar. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla.

At low speed, beat in flour mixture in 4 additions alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions.

Divide batter among pans and spread evenly.

Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
Cool cakes 5 minutes. Turn out onto racks; peel off parchment. Cool cakes completely.

For frosting:

Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese, 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla in large bowl to blend.

Whisk whipping cream and 3/4 cup powdered sugar in bowl until mixture holds medium-firm peaks.

Fold into cream cheese mixture in 3 additions; chill until firm but spreadable, about 1 hour.

Place 1 cake layer, bottom side up, on 9-inch tart pan bottom. Spread with half of filling.

Place another layer, bottom side up, on work surface. Spread with remaining filling; place atop first layer.

Top with remaining cake layer, bottom side up.
Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; chill. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours before continuing.)

Press candy and peanuts onto top of cake.

Serves 12.

Print recipe with images | without images

What Kind of Bird Lays a Square Egg?

YumSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 01:34:26 -0800

A square bird, right? Well, not exactly...

This is an egg cuber. It takes a still warm, hard-boiled egg, and reshapes it into a cube, by squashing it - all without leaking out the yellow yolk inside.

Immediately I think, what? No way do I have room for this unnecessary gadget. But then I thought of all the wild easter possibilities. Egg pyramids, egg houses all sorts of weird square shaped eggs. Then I wonder if it would work on soft boiled eggs. Imagine eating them without having to use an eggcup!

The price of a cubed egg? Only $3.49. What a deal. I think those of you with kids could really wow them with it.

Check out a video of the egg cuber in action.

Do You Know Where Your Fourth of July Food Came From?

partysugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:50:48 -0700

With everyone from celebrity chefs like Michael Chiarello to national corporations such as Lay's focusing on eating locally, it's hard not to wonder where your food comes from. For example, where exactly was the pork used to make these burgers raised?

Since the majority of Americans will be hosting barbecues this weekend, I thought it would be fun to test your knowledge of classic Fourth of July foods. To find out where that hot dog was created, take my quiz!

Take the quiz

Audrina Patridge Is New Carl's Jr. Spokesperson

YumSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:00:30 -0700

Turns out you don't have to wait for the next season of The Hills to catch more of Audrina Patridge: later this month, she'll be following fellow temptress Padma Lakshmi's lead and starring in a new commercial for Carl's Jr. promoting the chain's Teriyaki Six Dollar Burger.

The Hills regular filmed on location in Malibu, donning a barely there, gold lamé bikini and noshing on burgers while laying on the beach. "It was my first experience shooting a spot with food, and . . . I was literally salivating looking at all the rows and rows of perfect burgers waiting for me," she said.

I'm rather skeptical about burgers being Audrina's "one indulgence." I'll be curious to see if her ad, which airs on June 24 - the same day the burger launches - will be as steamy as Paris Hilton's or Padma's previous Carl's Jr. commercials. Check out the footage below and tell me what you think.

Source

Stefan: "I'm Not a Villain, I'm a Softy!"

partysugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:00:56 -0800

Although many people thought Stefan was a cocky bastard, I happened to like the quick-witted chef. Sure he was arrogant, but he had the skills to back up the ego. However, his impressive culinary expertise wasn't good enough for him to earn the title of Top Chef. When I spoke with Stefan yesterday, I was surprised at how funny he was. He happily endorses bloggers and is coming out with a clothing line. To find out what he had to say - yes he is still madly in love with Jamie! - read more.

On losing to Hosea: In my mind, I won Top Chef. No really, you know what happens? If you win the title of Top Chef, you get a $100,000 egg, but if you are the runner-up, you laid the egg. What I mean is I'm going to make a lot of money, hopefully. I know I will get something out of the experience, but Hosea? Sure he has the money . . . I hope Hosea sells himself properly and that he has a good shot to get himself somewhere.

Hosea won Top Chef. He deserved it. I love the guy. There's no bullshit going on between us. Really everyone should lay off of Hosea. He doesn't deserve the crap that people are giving him. He's actually pretty strung out about people picking on him.

On being confident: I've always been very confident. Some people call it cocky, some people call it arrogant, but everyone has opinions of those on Top Chef. I think I am pretty good. I thought I had a pretty good shot for it. You want to know the truth? I think it was partial editing. They wanted to create drama. Actually there is nothing that can faze me. I cook for a living! It's the only thing I know how to do. I'm a cook. If I wasn't a cook, maybe I would be a gardener, but I love food. I love people in the restaurant business. I have a very strong personality. It's my way or the highway.

On the judges: Toby is a funny guy. Tom is incredible chef, an incredible restaurateur. Padma is smoking hot. I will take her out anytime and Gail? She's cute. I gotta tell you, she's very cute.

On Bravo's portrayal of him as the villain: We all understand it's a reality show. I think people see me different now. I'm not a villain, I am a softy! Jeez, good Lord, Do I look like a villain? Maybe, but look over the entire season. I thanked every judge, I kissed every eliminated contestant goodbye, I shook all the winners hands. When I watched the finale, I had some tears in my eyes when Carla got choked up. I can't see women cry. It breaks my heart.

I am a softy! That's why I picked Marcel because, if I would have picked Casey, Carla would have had a really hard time. She wouldn't have done well with Marcel. I love Carla. Of course, I'm a softy.

On Fabio selecting Hosea's dishes over his: You get honesty from Europeans. I have absolutely no hard feelings. He stopped bullshitting. I love honesty. I love all you bloggers for your honesty. I take it like it is.

On Jamie: How could you not be in love with Jamie? I love Jamie. I've been asked that many times. It's not the first time I fell in love with the lesbians! She has the best laugh. She is beyond fun, she's a great chef. By the way, I love Leah though as well. Not as much as I love Jamie. If Jamie ever reads this: Jamie if you're ready for babies, I'm ready for it! She would make pretty babies, let me tell you.

On being friends with many of the contestants: I have made wonderful friends on that show, including Hosea, Jamie, even Lauren. I'm 36 years old. I've argued in kitchens, now I don't want to do that. I'm too old for constantly arguing. I want friends in my life. You can ride my bus if you want to, but if you don't, get off! I love them all. There is no bullshit behind the whole thing.

On what's next: I'm coming out with a clothing line. It's called Cocky Chef Clothing you should check it out. It's panties and boy shorts. I have a book coming out, it's called Stefan's Dirty Dishes and it's about my life. Sure I want to open a restaurant, but I want to do it the right way. I don't want it to be high scale. I want it to be a cool hangout with a fireplace outside. I would love to do more TV. I'm working on it. I have a great agency working with me and I'm signing today. We are talking about some ideas, kind of something of Gordon Ramsay-like because of my attitude. We will see what happens. Fabio and I would be a hilarious show, but I think I should do a show with Jamie because she is more clever.

Source

Latest Ads Remind You Where Your Food Came From

YumSugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:20:52 -0800

In an era when people are consumed with better-for-you goods, food and beverage companies are launching new campaigns that highlight the produce from which their products are derived.

According to market research results from Mintel International, a quarter of the food and beverages launched in 2008 claimed to be "natural," making it the year's most prevalent claim.

For the first time in more than half a century, food titan Heinz has changed its iconic ketchup label, switching out the gherkin below the name for a plump, vine-ripened tomato. The goal? To remind consumers that Heinz tomatoes go into each bottle of ketchup. Tropicana has repackaged its cartons to only include the word "juice" in small type at the bottom. The OJ box now reads, "100 percent orange: Pure and natural." Frito-Lay's current TV spots underscore the fact that Lay's chips come from potatoes.

From Welch's 100-percent grape juice from concord grapes campaign to Pizza Hut's The Natural pizza, this trend has certainly come to my attention. Have you taken notice as well? Do you think it's a good thing that more companies are emphasizing healthfulness in their edible products, or is this movement simply a gimmicky positioning tactic?

Source

Subway Still Backs Michael Phelps - Sort Of

YumSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:16:22 -0800

Sandwich chain Subway isn't dropping Olympian Michael Phelps as a sponsor yet - but it has removed all semblance of the swimmer from its website, and plans to delay its first TV campaign starring the gold medalist, which was originally slated for early 2009.

This is the fast-food chain's response after a photo broke last week of the Olympian smoking a bong. Immediately following the news, Kellogg's dropped its endorsement deal with the swimmer, and we wondered whether Phelps's other food sponsor, Subway, would follow the cereal maker's footsteps. Indeed, Phelps, who was all over the company's SubwayFreshBuzz website, which highlights "fresh celebrities," is no longer featured. The restaurant chain said in an official statement:

Like most Americans, and like Michael Phelps himself, we were disappointed in his behavior. Also, like most Americans, we accept his apology. Moving forward, he remains in our plans.

Considering the backlash that followed when Kellogg's dropped Phelps (a petition to boycott all of the brand's products), it's a smooth move on Subway's part to hang onto the swimmer, but have him lay low for a while. What's your opinion of the sandwich chain's strategy? Were you surprised they didn't end his endorsement deal?

Source