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Jamba Juice Testing Organic To Go Food Items

partysugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:00:11 -0800

Smoothie chain Jamba Juice is teaming up with Organic To Go to test out a new line of organic food products. In an effort to boost sales, Jamba Juice is considering adding Organic To Go branded items - grab and go salads, sandwiches, wraps, cookies, and yogurt parfaits - to their already existing menu of classic fruit smoothies. The testing will take place in three West Coast stores in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA, and Bellevue, WA. If the test is successful, the partnership will expand to all of Jamba Juice's 749 stores nationwide. Steven Berrard, CEO of Jamba Juice, explains the affiliation:

We’re excited about the possibilities of this test. Our partnership with Organic To Go provides Jamba customers organic and natural food that supports their growing desire for a healthy lifestyle.

The news comes as no surprise as fast food chains across the country scramble to deal with the declining economy. I'll be curious to check out the meals, how about you?

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What's Cooking at Slashfood

partysugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:00:27 -0700

While the Internet is full of fabulous food content, one website in particular - Slashfood - consistently churns out delectable recipes, interesting food news, and exciting articles.

I'm thrilled to announce a new partnership with these fantastic folks at Slashfood. Once a week I'll link to the best of their stories, so you can stay up to date on all the foodie goodness. Of course Slashfood thinks we're equally delicious and will being doing a roundup of our stuff. So without further ado, here's what's cooking at Slashfood:

Italian sausage soup makes a delightful midweek meal.
Will you buy celebrity-endorsed wine?
Meet Delish, the newest food blog on the block.
Are there such things as men's foods and women's foods?
Learn how to quickly defrost chicken.
Eight ways to cook with apples.
The television show Pushing Daisies is going on a pie tour.

Morimoto to Bring Yakatori to the Traveling Masses

partysugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:50:26 -0700

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's got a new project in the works. Yesterday the hospitality company Delaware North Cos announced a partnership with the sushi master, with plans to launch Skewers, a new fast-casual airport restaurant chain.

Although no sushi will be on the menu, the concept will offer travelers easily portable meals like soups and salads, as well as a variety of skewered meats and vegetables.

Known as yakitori in Japan, skewers are an incredibly popular street food and Morimoto hopes to introduce the world to his interpretation of it. "Yakitori is the next big wave, I think," Morimoto said, adding confidently, "It will be very popular."

While the rollout dates and details concerning the locations have not been released, I think the idea sounds interesting. I've yet to experience yakitori and am curious to see how Morimoto translates it to the masses. How about you? Have you had yakitori? Will Morimoto's latest endeavor be a success?

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!

Christian Louboutin Champagne: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:00:33 -0700

From logo lollipops to stylish cupcakes, the merging of fashion and food isn't new. What I haven't seen, however, is a Champagne glass shaped like a shoe! Designed by famed shoe maker Christian Louboutin, this glass slipper was created to coincide with the launch of the brand's own Champagne. In partnership with Piper Heidsieck, the bubbly and shoe are available for a limited time at Colette in Paris, starting Oct. 26. I think both the bottle and glass are incredibly sexy and would love to get my hands on the set! How about you?

Introducing Top Chef the Wine

partysugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:15:31 -0700

Today at the Television Critics Association's convention in Los Angeles, the people behind Top Chef revealed a new TC branded product, wine. The collection, which was created in partnership with Rutherford Hill winery, is expected to be released soon, but won't make its debut on the show this season. Molly and BuzzSugar were lucky enough to taste the wine last night. According to Molly, the Cabernet Sauvignon is smooth, very easy to drink, and slightly spicy. Padma Lakshmi hosted the Vegas season launch luncheon and the quickfire that followed the meal earlier today.

The challenge pitted three of the upcoming Top Chef Las Vegas cheftestants against accomplished competitors Fabio Viviani, Antonia Lofaso, and Ryan Scott. With so many Top Chef products - from knives to t-shirts to a cookbook - the introduction of a wine is not surprising. After all, if the Food Network's Iron Chef can have its own wine label, why not market one for TC? Are you interested in tasting this wine?

Christian Siriano to Collaborate With Starbucks

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:30:43 -0700

Starbucks' free pastry promotion may be over - but the coffee chain's slated to announce even more exciting news.

New York magazine reports that Project Runway winner Christian Siriano has plans to unveil a partnership with Starbucks for the upcoming holiday season.

Because further details about the collaboration have not yet been released - and news organizations have been barred from reporting them until Nov. 17 - we're left with nothing to work with but a wild imagination. Are fierce uniforms with avante-garde shoulders on the Starbucks horizon? Stay tuned.

Are you a fan of Christian Siriano's designs? Do you find the partnership to be a unique opportunity, or an odd match?

Top Chef, the Magazine?

partysugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:50:10 -0700

First there was Top Chef. Then there was the cookbook, the tour, t-shirts, and other products. Next came spinoffs Top Chef Masters and Top Chef Juniors. The latest to be added to the Top Chef franchise? A magazine.

At a panel discussion hosted by Mediabistro, Ellen Stone, the senior vice president of marketing at Bravo, discussed the partnership between the show and Food & Wine magazine. The connection between the companies is judge Gail Simmons, who appears on the show and works for the magazine. Apparently the two brands are "working together to create a Top Chef magazine."

There are no specific details on the content of the magazine, but I'm thinking it may follow in the format of Food Network's new glossy (which is currently one of the top 100 best-selling magazines in America) and feature recipes from and stories about past Top Chef contestants and judges. Considering I read just about every cooking magazine known to mankind, I'm excited to see how this news develops. Are you interested in Top Chef, the magazine?

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Virgin Takes Flight With the Green Fairy

partysugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:45:32 -0700

While other airlines are cutting back on in-flight services, last Friday, Virgin America added a new alcohol to its menu. Absinthe, the once illegal "hallucinogenic" spirit, is now available on all flights. The strong green liquor can be enjoyed on the rocks or mixed into the Mile-High Cocktail, a "tormenting and satisfying blend of Le Tourment Vert Absinthe, sprite, and lemons shaken and served over ice." Porter Gale, the vice president of marketing at Virgin, is very excited about the partnership. He said:

We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with Le Tourment Vert to become the first airline to offer guests absinthe in-flight. Virgin America is reinventing the typical flight experience with beautiful design, touch-screen entertainment, and an innovative food and cocktail menu – and the addition of Le Tourment Vert absinthe is sure to be a hit with our discriminating guests.

For those sitting first class or main cabin select, the absinthe cocktails are complimentary; in the main cabin, Le Tourment Vert is available for purchase. Although I'm not boarding Virgin America anytime soon, I normally enjoy a cocktail when traveling. It's nice to know that absinthe is an option. How do you feel about the news?

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Restaurants, Suffering From Poor Turnout, Look to Retail

YumSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:50:38 -0700

These days, chain restaurants are looking for any way to eke out a profit, from offering cheaper steaks to haggling with customers. But given the economic downturn, many are no longer expecting to fill tabletops at dinner - instead, they're counting on customers at the grocery store. Restaurants from Jamba Juice to California Pizza Kitchen and even Tony Roma's plan to introduce new licensed food products in the next year. Yesterday, Starbucks unveiled its new Super-Premium Ice Cream. The new line of ice cream, created in partnership with Unilever, is inspired by coffeehouse drinks with flavors like caramel macchiato and java chip.

Healthy drink chain Jamba Juice has been sorting through production and logistics on a ready-to-drink smoothie made by Nestle that will be carried in convenience stores in addition to supermarkets. Certain chains that already have licensed, branded items in grocery stores are looking to aggressively expand them. California Pizza Kitchen recently introduced flatbread sandwiches made in partnership with Kraft, and the company plans to expand its product line. Rib specialist Tony Roma's is also broadening its line of heat-and-serve meals beyond baby back ribs to include pulled pork, pot roast, and other items.

Since consumers are dining out less and eating in more, it makes perfect sense for restaurants to move in this direction, but if the past is any indicator, I've found licensed food products are usually nothing but a letdown. Do you feel the same way? Could you see this being the moneymaker for restaurant chains this year?

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