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Would You Order Pizza on Facebook?

YumSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:31:36 -0700

Last week, fast-food chain Pizza Hut launched an online ordering system on the social networking site Facebook. Now those of you who are addicted to social networking can order dinner without having to exit Facebook! For extra-quick reordering, the application also remembers your favorites.

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Starbucks Launches Massive Social Network Marketing Blitz

YumSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:00:07 -0700

Adjusting coffee prices, introducing instant brews, offering value meals - what will Starbucks think up next? Answer: A slew of promotions on social networking sites. Starbucks has just launched a massive marketing effort, the first Starbucks campaign to truly take advantage of the power of social networking. The company has put up new advertising posters in six major cities, and is challenging Twitter followers to be the first to post a photo of one on the microblogging social network.

As for why the corporation launched a colossal social networking campaign: “It shows a level of connection to our brand that we wouldn’t have concocted on our own,” said Chris Bruzzo, vice president for brand, content, and online at Starbucks. Although I think social media will be a good thing for the coffee powerhouse, I'm not sure it's going to win over customers in a big way. What are your thoughts?

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Trend Alert: Foodies on Facebook

YumSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:15:08 -0800

Foodies may be serious about eating, but apparently they're serious about computers: Fast-food chains, food companies, and food celebrities are raising their profiles on social-networking platform Facebook.

Last month, we mentioned that Pizza Hut was the first fast-food chain to launch a Facebook online ordering system, so die-hard users never have to leave the site to order dinner. And yesterday, number one fast-food chain McDonald's launched a Facebook fan site of its own to honor the 25th anniversary of its wildly popular Chicken McNuggets.

In a push to connect to its younger customers, pizza delivery Papa John's has launched a new promotion: Anyone who becomes a "fan" of the Papa John's page on Facebook will receive an online redemption code for a free medium pizza with any online order.

It isn't just fast-food chains who are promoting themselves on Facebook - other food industry insiders are following suit. Candy company Mars advertised its "Get Some Nuts" campaign for Snickers on Facebook, and rumors about Next Food Network Star finalist Lisa Garza spread after she changed her marital status on her Facebook page.

I'm surprised to learn that Facebook has become so important in the world of food. Have you been following the food and beverage industry there?

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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!

What's Cooking at Slashfood

YumSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 04:30:05 -0700

We love Slashfood so much that every Thursday we round up their most delicious stories. Here are this week's finds:

Real housewife Bethenny Frankel's not such a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow's cooking.
If Jennifer Aniston opened a restaurant, would you eat at it?
Farmers may be warming up to social networks like Twitter.
What would you do if you unintentionally ordered a $300 bottle of wine?
The right way to make crisp, golden yucca fries at home.
Yet another meatpacker has recalled more than 825,000 pounds of beef linked to a salmonella.

Happy Hour: The Grey Lady

partysugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:00:44 -0700

Last month YumSugar and I attended a cocktail competition hosted by the drinks-based social networking website, Nirvino. We were a little worried about the contest, not because we were competing, but because each of the five cocktails had to use No. 209 Gin. Normally, I'm not a fan of the strong, intensely botanical flavor of gin, however the concoctions created by San Francisco's bartending elite were surprisingly well-balanced and drinkable. The winning drink, The Grey Lady, created by Greg Lindgren, the owner of one of my watering holes, Rye, was particularly memorable. A mixture of gin, fresh lemon juice, and Earl Grey syrup, this drink is innovative (who would think to use breakfast tea in a cocktail?), light, airy, smooth, and delicious. Although one of the ingredients, bergamot, is incredibly hard to find, the tipple can be enjoyed without it. To watch a video of Greg making the concoction at the party and check out the recipe, read more.

Nirvino Presents: The Grey Lady from Nirvino on Vimeo.

The Grey Lady
From Greg Lindgren of Rye

Ingredients

1 3/4 oz gin (recommended: No. 209 Gin)
3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz Earl Grey tea syrup
1/2 egg white
1 Pinch Bergamot Dust (finely grated zest from one bergamot)

Directions

Add egg white to cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds.
Add the other ingredients. Shake again for 10 seconds.

Strain into a cocktail glass and enjoy.

Makes 1 drink.

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Happy Hour: Fall Fizz

partysugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:15:08 -0700

Recently I attended a female-only cocktail competition hosted by Nirvino. While I've been to many cocktail competitions, I always look forward to Nirvino's monthly contest because the crowd gets to taste each cocktail and ultimately decides the winning drink. Nirvino is an exciting social networking community where drinking is the common denominator. You can rate drinks, bars, bartenders, wine, beer, and different kinds of liquor.

Its a fun concept that makes for an interesting event. After tasting each cocktail everyone gets on their iPhones or Blackberrys to rate the drink. This competition featured Square One Cucumber vodka and the winning bartender was Brooke Arthur from Range restaurant in San Francisco.

Her Fall Fizz delightfully combined the fresh flavors of cucumber, apple, and pear. Lemon juice adds an acidic balance and a dusting of cinnamon gives this drink a holiday feel. Like the gin fizz, it includes egg whites. I can't promise you won't get salmonella, but your drink will be deliciously frothy! To check out Brooke's recipe and a video of her mixing at the competition, read more.

Fall Fizz
From Brooke Arthur of Range

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces cucumber vodka (recommended: Square One)
1/4 ounce apple brandy (recommended: Coeur de Lyon Calvados)
1/4 ounce pear liqueur (recommended: Poires Pear Liqueur)
1/2 ounce egg whites
1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
grated cinnamon, for garnish

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
Shake without ice for 30 seconds to emulsify the egg whites.
Add ice to the shaker and shake for another 30-45 seconds.
Strain into a martini glass. Garnish by grating cinnamon over the top of the cocktail.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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Rachael Ray to Open Hamburger Restaurant

partysugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:15:00 -0700

While she's hosted multiple television shows and even coined culinary phrases, Rachael Ray has never owned a restaurant. Until now. The celebrity chef has announced her plans to open a burger joint in midtown New York sometime next year. The news is not surprising, since Ray's always been big on burgers: On the Food Network website she has 70 different burger recipes. According to Ray the eatery will be:

A '60s back-in-the-day Rat Pack-y kind of hangout, and I want the bar to be really central [and] the burgers to become a very social thing. I want people to come to the bar to see beautiful proper martinis being made and to enjoy some sliders while they're doing business or sit in the dining room and have fine dining in ground form.

There's no word on what burgers will make the menu, but one thing's for sure: You can bet they'll have interesting names. Some of Ray's burger recipes include the blue-rugula burger, the Kentucky burgoo burger, and the jerky turkey burger.

Are you surprised that Rachael Ray is finally opening a restaurant? Would you eat there? Have you ever made one of her burgers?

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A Chat With Pat and Gina Neely

partysugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:01:18 -0800

When YumSugar asked me to watch the pilot episode of Food Network's new cooking show, Down Home With the Neelys, I wasn't jumping for joy. The commercials seemed over the top, routine, and like the network had just found more big personalities. However, after watching the show - I laughed out loud - I was hungry for more!

Luckily, I got the chance to speak with Gina and Pat on the phone! They are one warm, fun couple and my Tivo is already set for tomorrow at 11 a.m.

The show is not only a clever, informative cooking show, but it's about the dynamic relationship between the high school sweethearts. Gina Neely is a firecracker, both friendly and feisty. Her husband Pat knows his barbeque and is incredibly personable. To see what happened when I went down home with the Neelys, read more.

With their show Pat and Gina hope to teach America that cooking is a great time to get back to the basics. It's a way to slow down and enjoy family. Food is family to the Neelys, who take a week to film each episode at a rented house in Memphis, Tenn. Known for their barbeque and down home Southern-style cooking, Pat and Gina distinguish themselves from Food Network's resident Southern belle Paula Deen by cooking a healthier cuisine. They steer clear from frying. They grill everything and love to use barbeque flavors to season unexpected dishes. Here's what they have to say:

PartySugar: What's it like being in the business together?
Pat: It's one of the biggest joys in the world working with family. I get to spend every day with my lovely wife. I have extremely workable brothers. The employees at my restaurants are like extended family. Now the producers of my show have become family. Food Network has become like family. We've opened our arms and welcomed everyone into our lives like family.
Gina: Our girls - we have two daughters - work with us in the Summer. I couldn't imagine doing everything that we do alone. The best part is doing it together.

PS: Do you cook at home like you do on the show?
Pat: (laughs) There is no acting involved in our show. Of course we cook at home. We've been cooking at home like this for a long time, way before the concept of the show was even invented. At least two to three times a week we're at home cooking dinner in our kitchen. Thats what makes our show so authentic, it is our lives. It really is who we are.

PS: What's your advice to the everyday home cook?
Gina: Cooking is NOT intimidating, it's not as time consuming or as hard as it seems. It's comforting to use natural products to make something homemade.
Pat: Watch the show! Use food to socially interact. To reconnect with family and friends. Invite your girlfriend over and bake a chicken for her, chat and relax while it cooks. You can really learn a lot about your loved ones by cooking with them.

PS: How will you celebrate Valentine's Day?
Pat: When you are in a good marriage like Gina and I are, every day is like Valentine's Day. We don't need a special day to spend time together we spend time together every day. I fell in love with Gina when I was 15, and I've been in love with her ever since.
Gina: I'll probably make Pat a strawberry shortcake with whipped cream.

PS: What did you have for lunch today?
Pat: We had Cornish game hens.
Gina: And grilled asparagus with barbequed butter. Our barbequed butter is made by stirring our barbeque rub into softened butter.

After speaking with them, I want to be a part of their family! And if that wasn't enough to make you interested in their show, here's a sneak peak of the dishes that are yet to come: barbequed ribs, fresh coleslaw, barbeque spaghetti, creamed collard greens, pork chop soup, grilled pound cake, and baked chicken.

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Starbucks Buys Fancy-Pants Machines, Also Promises to Treat You Better

YumSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Yesterday, many wild announcements were made during Starbucks' annual shareholder meeting. It's no secret, they've been making a lot of interesting changes, but some of the announcements were quite surprising. While the launch of their own social networking website is shocking, it was actually their purchase of Coffee Equipment Company, the makers of the fancy-pants Clover coffee machines.

Clover coffee machines cost $11,000 each and are thought by many coffee snobs to be "amazing, absolutely amazing" - those are quotes from actual coffee snob friends of mine. The Clover machines will be put into select markets, and rumor has it that non-Starbucks cafés will no longer be able to purchase them.

Other changes that they announced included improved automated espresso machines that grind beans fresh for each drink, as well as a new coffee blend and a rewards program. That's right, they're finally going to give you that soy milk or vanilla splash for free. It's about time, no?

So what do you think, will these changes alter the way you think about Starbucks?

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