Even though locavore chef Alice Waters was singled out for her shark fin soup comment at last year’s Food For Thought forum, it is still a dish widely favored by many around the world. Many species of shark have long been endangered, but shark fin has remained a highly valued ingredient in Asian food culture, even in the United States.
In an pioneering move last week, the state of Hawaii signed into legislation a bill that will remove shark fin soup from every menu in the state, with a new law …

According to Nation’s Restaurant News, a new book being released in May will feature a look at what kitchen workers around the country are being paid. The book, written by Rick Smilow, president and CEO of the Institute of Culinary Education, includes profiles on various executive chefs, sous chefs, and line cooks who discuss their annual salaries, as well as advice for finding your “dream job in food.” Titled Culinary Careers, the book even includes a bit on what to expect if you’re applying at El Bulli, Restaurant’s Best Restaurant …

More great food moves in to the airport! Nation’s Restaurant News is reporting that Japanese master chef Masaharu Morimoto is developing  a new fast-casual concept that will bring Morimoto dishes to airport travelers. The new locations will be named Skewers, with a menu featuring rice bowls along with skewered grilled meats and vegetables (known as ‘yakitori’) that are portable and flyer-friendly. Prices will range from $4.95 for soups to $16.95 for main dishes.
Vito Buscemi, director of concept portfolio for Delaware North’s Travel Hospitality Services division, a partner in the Morimoto …

Out of Nation’s Restaurant News yesterday, KFC is being sued by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine over their grilled chicken offerings. According to the lawsuit, which PCRM says will be filed in a San Francisco Superior Court, the group claims that KFC must post warnings to their customers about the potential exposure to PhIP, a carcinogen known to cause cancer and reproductive issues found on food items that have been grilled. The suit cites California’s Proposition 65 law, which requires businesses in the state to notify consumers of potential …

Knee-deep in the third quarter of 2009, and the restaurant industry continues to struggle. Out of USAToday, reports that many of the high-end, well-known restaurants across the country have cut their menu prices in an effort to keep consumers coming in. Chef Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit and Riingo notes more “menu engineering” over the past two years to offer more lower-priced dishes. Chef Mario Batali has been adjusting his menus accordingly as well.
“At Del Posto, our fanciest restaurant, we have taken some of the luxury items off and dropped the …

Magnolia Bakery, cupcakery to the stars and well-known for being a favorite of “Sex and the City’s” Carrie Bradshaw, is bringing their cupcake selection to the west coast! As Nation’s Restaurant News reported recently, the famed bakery is scheduled to open a new location in Los Angeles this fall. Though the location has not yet been announced, it will be the first location outside of New York City, where Magnolia currently has three bakery spots.
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Popular fast food joint Fatburger is now a part of a larger ground beef recall being …

Poor Martha! With the recent blight breakout taking down tomato plants across the Northeast left and right, apparently no garden has gone unscathed! The domestic kitchen queen posted a blog note this morning about the aggressive fungus attacking her tomato plants. She’s even kind enough to include a slideshow of the ugly attack.
While Martha notes that the fungus tends to appear in smaller batches at the end of the summer naturally, Chow.com refers to a New York Times opinion piece that points fingers at home gardeners who purchase plants from …

Late yesterday, the US House of Representatives passed the much-discussed Food Safety Bill. According to Nation’s Restaurant News, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, or H.R. 2749, passed by a vote of 283 to 142. In an effort to deter the rampant foodborne illnesses that have swept through the country in the last few years, the bill covers a number of food safety initiatives, including regulations for food manufacturers and rules for food chain record keeping.
Commenting on the bill’s passage, Dawn Sweeney, president and chief executive of the NRA, …

The recent Tales of the Cocktail event in New Orleans, touted as “The Most Spirited Event of the Summer”, brought together some of the nation’s top mixologists to talk beverage shop. Seminars, competitions, dinners, and tastings were included in the week long event. But more importantly, these drink masters discussed the latest in mixers and spirits. From bacon vodka to absinthe, fruit juice to herbs, what’s the hottest trend in bar drinks these days?
According to panel discussions at the NOLA drink gathering, it’s surprisingly gin. It seems the clear spirit, …

A recent article from Nation’s Restaurant News suggests that ‘optimism is waning’ amongst restaurant owners and operators as the industry enters a slow-down period. After reaching an 11-month high in April, NRN’s Restaurant Performance Index posted a decline in May, with a rating of 98.3. According to the index, below 100 suggests an industry retreat, while a score over 100 suggests industry growth.
The results of the index are based on a number of indicators, including information from The Conference Board Consumer Research Center, U.S. unemployment numbers, and industry analysts. One …

Good grief! At this point, it seems like the only safe foods are the ones growing in your backyard! 
Nation’s Restaurant News tells us today about three more food recalls – two ground beef producers and one duck confit/kolbase sausage company – with a total of 100,000+ pounds of recalled food!
Illnesses have been reported with all of the recalled meat items. The tainted ground beef was distributed in Oregon, Washington, Ohio, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, with the duck and sausage distributed throughout the East Coast. If you’ve purchased either of these …

When it comes to opening a new restaurant, excitement, happiness, and adrenaline are abundant. But what about when it comes time to close? Whether for personal or financial reasons, closing a restaurant can often mean the end of a dream.
Nation’s Restaurant News recently profiled one such restaurant closing. Chris Posner, a restaurateur from New Jersey who’s now shuttered restaurant was featured on Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Kitchen Nightmares’, talked to the food service publication about his experience on the show, as well as the subsequent closing of his location, Hannah and Mason’s.
Posner …

Nation’s Restaurant News noted today that Burger King has unveiled a new restaurant design at their most recent opening in Spring, Texas, a suburb of Houston. The new design features large company slogans lining the outside of the building, as well as patio seating and a drive-through with a waterfall and fountain. Interior additions include free Wi-Fi, LCD menu screens, and interactive game kiosks for kids.
Russ Klein, president of global marketing strategy and innovation for Burger King, said, “This innovative global design conveys the brand’s energetic and fun personality through …

The blog at the James Beard Foundation has a great Q&A session with recent Outstanding Chef James Beard Award winner, Dan Barber. Barber, who’s the Executive Chef of Blue Hill, mentions his wishes of humane fois gras,which he’s now working to provide through Stone Barns.
According to Nation’s Restaurant News, fast food giants Wendy’s and McDonald’s are now ‘exploring’ the option of utilizing cage-free eggs on their menus, with Wendy’s recently announcing they would implement the cage-free option for 2% of their egg purchases. While minimal, the Humane Society of the …

Posted by Jennifer Heigl

Ouch! Is Starbucks headed in the way of the big 3 auto dealers? After raking in cash, and expanding exponentially over the last few years, the coffee giant has been hit hard by the challenging economy.
This week, Starbucks announced that their second quarter earnings for 2009 saw a 77% decline in quarterly earnings, with the average customer spending 3% less per transaction. The company noted, however, that their reduction and reorganization plans had saved the company $120 million for the quarter. Owner Howard Schultz remains confident that …