05/29/2009
If I could name one topic that crept up more often than any other during the recent NRA conference, it was undoubtedly economics. Yes, the bottom line is a perennial concern, wounded economy or not, but these days it’s do or die for some folks.
One common knee-jerk response to hard times is to cut prices—and if that doesn’t work, cut and cut again, often to unreasonable lows. This can be seen ...
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05/21/2009
Although the most-amusing bit I’ve run across in recent days deals with grass-fed-beef hot dogs and Ebola-infected spider monkeys running the back of the house (perch Anthony Bourdain and Alice Waters side-by-side on a stage and just wait for the lovely fireworks…), the most-poignant was the line of thought beginning with a recent bit in The New York Times on global companies (perhaps) commodifying ...
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05/18/2009
Whenever the NRA Show rolls into town (or rather, whenever the masses—perhaps a bit less mass than some years—descend upon my town) the culinary whirlwind kicks into full effect. Yesterday saw a nice turnout for the Research Chefs Association reception and then a quick jaunt to a New Zealand products gig and off to dinner at The Bristol with fellow foodservice communication cohorts. Today I’m back ...
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05/14/2009
The beverage world always tells quite an exciting tale. There’s never a dull moment in a realm where people have historically accepted everything but the kitchen sink—for a time, at least. That can mean fortification, flavors, formats—what have you.
But thriving in retail beverages can prove difficult (to say the least). It’s kind of like hot sauce. Take in the offerings at the local supermarket—or ...
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05/11/2009
I’ve been following the hipster-come lately late-night Denny’s makeover for some time now, and this latest bit that I ran across earlier today fits in nicely with the approach. I’m just waiting for the press release that outlines how the chain is now clearing 35% of the floor space come 1 A.M. on Fridays and Saturdays, in selection locations, for a limited time only, to accommodate rave dancing, along with associated new menu additions like miracle fruit lollipops and licorice marshmallow fluff shooters.
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