Fast Food

Food for Thought: June Edition

Amuse-Bouche

“In Russian we say ‘to the bottom!’ I like that these guys are embracing our culture.”

– a local bartender’s reaction to tourist drinking Moscow dry during the 2018 World Cup; the country experienced a beer shortage during the world’s largest football competition. 

Hors d’Oeuvres

Our favorite Ghostbuster and weatherman, Bill Murray, has decided to invest in a new venture: food trucks. Opening this summer in Charleston, South Carolina, The Container Bar is a food truck venue that will feature an indoor/outdoor bar along with parking spaces and electrical hookups for the food trucks. Although popular and growing in the heart of low country, city laws prohibit food trucks from parking on public streets. This is one of many investments Murray has made in his place of residence.

Image from Jell-O
Image from Jell-O

Time to channel your inner kid with permission from Jell-O. Luckily, gone are the days of ring molds and gelatinized meat; in their place are new fun, animal and building block molds that will make your jiggly treat come to life. Named Jell-O Play, the newest line from the company encourages kids to play and interact in today’s digital age. Noting that these are for play, the products can be found in the toy aisle.

We’ve all done it; we had all intentions of making a reservation, but life got in the way and we forgot. Good news, Google can now do that for you. Its newest technology, Google Duplex, has the ability to contact a restaurant and make your reservation. Identifying as “the Google Assistant”, the computerized-voice is so human-like that it speaks with “ums” and “uhs”. Think of it as an upgrade for OpenTable. 

Image from Thrillist
Image from Thrillist

Summer is officially here which means it’s road-trip time. If you’re a fast-food junkie when traveling, you should check out Thrillist’s list of “states with the most fast food restaurants per capita”. Hopefully, your trip is through the South or the Midwest; the top 10 states include Alabama, Nebraska, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Indiana, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Missouri, and South Carolina. 

The Main Course

Anyone that loves to eat and travel mourned the loss of Anthony Bourdain last month. Dedicating more than 12 years to his shows, Parts Unknown and No Reservations, the icon lives on through numerous episodes, his books, and his influence on food lovers around the world. To pay homage to the celebrity chef and CNN host, here are some of the highlights of his career.

Image from Hollywood Reporter
Image from Hollywood Reporter

  • In 2000, Anthony Bourdain emerged with his best-seller, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, where he discussed what happens behind-the-scenes in the restaurant industry.

  • Before No Reservations, Bourdain appeared on the Food Network with a short-lived series called A Cook’s Tour.

  • No Reservations aired on Travel Channel for nine seasons and won an Emmy in 2009 and 2011 for “Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming”.

  • Continuing his food travels, Bourdain shifted to CNN in 2013 to debut a new style of programming for the network with his show Parts Unknown – it was deemed “part travelogue, part history lesson, part love letter to exotic food” according to CBS News.

  • On an episode of Parts Unknown, President Obama shared a meal with the famed host at a roadside shop in Hanoi, Vietnam. “He taught us about food — but more importantly about its ability to bring us together,” Obama explained.

  • Besides his books and shows, Bourdain was well-known for his advocacy for immigrants. He referred to immigrants as the “backbone to the [restaurant] industry” and was vocal about his disdain for President Trump’s immigration policies.

On the Side

If you’re used to saying “hey, Alexa” at home, you can now continue your habit on vacation. Last month, Marriott International and Amazon announced a partnership as part of the Alexa for Hospitality initiative. In addition to being able to tell you about the weather, play Pandora, and turn off your lights, the vacation-version allows you to order towels, room service, and contact the front desk; think of her as your personal hotel butler. 

Image from Pioneer Woman Boarding House
Image from Pioneer Woman Boarding House

Whether you’re a little bit country or a little bit rock n’ roll, Ree Drummond’s country-chic boutique hotel is sure to please. Located in Osage County, Oklahoma, The Pioneer Woman Boarding House is a eight-room hotel created in a former J.C. Penney’s department store. The hotel is the newest of Drummond’s ventures; she recently opened The Pioneer Woman Mercantile featuring a multi-use food and retail space. Rooms start at $149 per night.

Sweet Escape

It seems like everyone is getting on the fitness train. Equinox, a New York-based gym, is the first fitness center to open its own hotel. Companies like Marriott, Hilton, and IHG have enhanced their offerings, including in-room options. Wellness vacations are all the rage with cycling trips along the PCH, yoga retreats, and bootcamp weeks with celebrity trainers. Since 2014, wellness tourism has been on the rise with projections of $808 billion by 2020 according to the Global Wellness Institute. It looks like healthy living and adventure are the newest buzz words in the world of travel. 

Food for Thought: August Edition

Amuse-Bouche

“As a long-time Cheetos fan, I’m thrilled to join forces with a snack brand that is truly an iconic American staple.”

– Anne Burrell in response to her Cheetos pop-up restaurant in NYC

Hors d’Oeuvres

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Fast-food innovation wars continue; this time, it’s all about breakfast. From Taco Bell’s Naked Egg Taco to Jack In The Box’s Hangry Chicken Hash, outrageous food is in. We’re living in an age of trying to go above and beyond. Unfortunately, sometimes it just a big flop.

Move over New York City, the Windy City is the new culinary capital. The Midwest hub was named Restaurant City of the Year based on its innovation and concentration of up-and-coming talent. What can we say, Chicago really blew away the magazine’s editor?

Foodies, it’s time to book your flights to Italy: Eataly is opening a 20-acre food theme park in Bologna. Get ready to nosh on authentic meats, cheese and pasta at one of the 40 restaurants and refreshment stands . Want a hands-on experience? Fico EatalyWorld will also feature classes and events in its 10 classrooms and two-miles of educational paths.

Photo from Electric Rose Wine Co.

Juice boxes just got an adult spin. Meet Electric Rose, a pouch of wine that is perfect for a picnic on the beach, backyard barbecues or a stroll around the neighborhood.  Available in a six-pack (1.5 bottles of wine), it’s all about the age of convenience.

Stressed when you see rows and rows of wine at the store? Don’t worry – the Vivino app. is here to help. Basically, a pocket sommelier; the seven-year-old app features closely 425 million labels with 72 million ratings and a newly launched marketplace.

The Main Course

Hopefully, by now, everyone knows that Amazon bought Whole Foods Market. The $13.7 Billion deal became official on Monday, August 28, with some items dropping in price by 43 percent. This is good news for anyone that has lovingly used the nickname “Whole Paycheck” to refer to the upscale grocery chain. Whether you’re an Amazon Prime member that has never stepped foot in a Whole Foods store or a religious Whole Foods shopper that lives off of the hot bar, here are a few things you’ll see in the coming months:

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  • Special Discounts for Prime Members: Amazon is not forgetting about its loyal Prime Members (and is rolling out a customer rewards program just for you. These discounts could include special savings and in-store benefits as well as access to Whole Food’s private label products through Prime Pantry and Prime Now with extra incentives for delivery. Amazon Lockers will also be available for customers that order online and want to pick-up or return products.
  • Hello Alexa: Probably not a big of a surprise, products like Amazon Echos and Amazon Echo Dots will be available for purchase and displayed throughout the store.
  • Upping Their Game: Competitors like Walmart are not too keen on this merger and gearing up for a fight. In Dallas and Orlando markets, the discount giant expanded its online grocery delivery service by partnering with Uber. The company has rolled out the service in four additional markets: Denver, San Jose, Calif., Tampa and Phoenix.
  • Even Google is Getting In On the Action: On August 23, Google and Walmart announced a partnership with Google Express. The goal is for Walmart customers to utilize online services like Google Assistant for easy shopping and predictive ordering. This is the first time that Walmart is having its product available for purchase on a third party website.

On the Side

Ever look at a West Elm catalog and think, “I’d love to sleep in that bed?” Well, now you can! The retailer announced plans for its sixth boutique hotel location– this time, in Portland, Maine. The hotel’s goal, projected to open in 2020, is not to sell West Elm products, but share the “local design elements, culture, and cuisine” of each city.

If you’re a barre believer and yoga fanatic, don’t worry – Hyatt Hotel Corporation has your back. The hotel group acquired Exhale, a fitness and spa concept, late last month shortly after buying Tucson’s Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa. The company plans to expand the fitness and spa brand with more freestanding locations with some integration in Hyatt Hotel locations.

From Home Alone 2: Lost In New York to Sleepless in Seattle, The Plaza Hotel has been the backdrop to some pretty iconic movies. Now, the Big Apple gem is up for sale; but it will cost you a pretty penny. The sale has been deemed the to be “one of the most expensive hotel sales on a per-room basis”.

Sweet Escape

Beloved travel guide, Lonely Planet, is planning to debut its newest project – an iPhone app called Trips. It’s basically Instagram from those that love to travel. It has its glitches but it’s a great place to look for pictures to decide where to go on your next adventure.