Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com/media/feedlogo.gif Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com en-us Copyright 2009 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Your Draft Pick Says It Allhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/your-draft-pick-says-it-all/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/your-draft-pick-says-it-all/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/05/your-draft-pick-says-it-all/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A moustached man poses in front of a PBR logo

Photo: Symic, Flickr.

Earlier this week, Advertising Age ran a story entitled "What Your Taste in Beer Says About You."

Citing researched compiled by Mindset Media -- a "market researcher specializing in psychographics" -- the article discusses how the beer a person drinks can be a strong indicator of his or her personality. For instance, Bud drinkers are "sensible, grounded and practical," Bud Light drinkers can have "frat boy-like personalities," and Michelob Ultra drinkers "think highly of themselves and can be a little bit conceited."

The concept is interesting, but why spend all that money on "research"? Most people could come up with those same assumptions on their own. In fact, the list can be extrapolated even further... massive research grant hopefully forthcoming.
  • Pabst Blue Ribbon drinkers consider playing bass in a punk band "gainful employment" and have handlebar mustaches.
  • Miller Lite drinkers consider the consumption of 20 beers "moderate drinking" and include beer bongs on their list of "proper glassware."
  • Sam Adams drinkers love wearing the same Red Sox hat for their entire adult life and believe there's nothing wrong with hitting on someone else's girlfriend.
  • Guinness drinkers think the best football team is Manchester United and consider a fist fight a "night out on the town."
  • Busch drinkers think the best bar in America is their porch and consider a proper food and beer pairing to be "a pounder and a bag of Hardee's."
And snobby craft beers drinkers tend to be people like beer writers who think they have a right to make fun of others!

What other beers bring to mind distinct personality types? And what does your favorite beer say about you? Let us know in the comments!
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]]>advertising ageAdvertisingAgebeer personalitiesbeer personalityBeerPersonalitiesBeerPersonalitybudbud lightbuschguinnessmichelob ultramiller litepabst blue ribbonpersonalitiespsychographicssam adamswhat your beer says about youWhatYourBeerSaysAboutYouMike Pomranz2009-11-05T14:00:00+00:007-Eleven Wines Coming to a Convenience Store Near Youhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/04/7-eleven-wines-coming-to-a-convenience-store-near-you/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/04/7-eleven-wines-coming-to-a-convenience-store-near-you/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/04/7-eleven-wines-coming-to-a-convenience-store-near-you/#commentsFiled under: , ,

7-eleven wines

Photo: loop_oh/flickr

Look out Two-Buck Chuck. The home of the Slurpee and the Big Gulp is launching a line of value-priced wines targeting consumers looking for a boozy bargain during these tough economic times.

7-Eleven plans to sell a $3.99 Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay under the proprietary "Yosemite Road" label at its stores in the United States and Japan.

"The consumer is really pinched as far as discretionary income," Kevin Elliott, senior vice president of merchandising and logistics of Dallas-based 7-Eleven, Inc., told the Associated Press. "We're seeing a lot of success in products that really resonate on a value basis."

Continue reading 7-Eleven Wines Coming to a Convenience Store Near You

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]]>7-117-Eleven7-eleven wine7-elevenWineConvenience StoresConvenienceStoresWineyosemite roadYosemiteRoadJennifer Lawinski2009-11-04T17:00:00+00:00Working at a Brewery Is Not as Boozy as It Once Washttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/04/working-at-a-brewery-is-not-as-boozy-as-it-once-was/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/04/working-at-a-brewery-is-not-as-boozy-as-it-once-was/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/04/working-at-a-brewery-is-not-as-boozy-as-it-once-was/#commentsFiled under: , ,

New Belgium Brewery tasting. Photo: Tobyotter, Flickr.

During an economic recession, one of the first things to be downsized is company perks. At New Belgium Brewery, a craft brewer in Ft. Collins, Colo., one of the biggest perks is free beer. Employees used to be able to take home 24 bottles of beer every week, but in February take-home brew was reduced to a mere 12 bottles.

Not many employees are complaining. When keeping a job is probably today's biggest perk, losing a six-pack per week probably isn't such a bad deal. Melyssa Glassman, the company's creative director, says that the only downside to free beer was carrying it home on her bicycle during the summer.

New Belgium is the third largest craft brewer in the United States and has been hailed for its employee-friendly policies that include free beer, a new bicycle after one year of employment and an all-expense paid trip to Belgium (where the idea for the company was created.) The 320 employees own a 33-percent stake in the brewery, and while it's not mandatory, it helps if you like drinking beer. A lot.

Continue reading Working at a Brewery Is Not as Boozy as It Once Was

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]]>Craft beerCraftBeeremployee perksEmployeePerksNew Belguim BreweryNewBelguimBreweryDavid Koeppel2009-11-04T16:00:00+00:00World's Largest Meatball Record Broken ... Againhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/02/worlds-largest-meatball/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/02/worlds-largest-meatball/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/02/worlds-largest-meatball/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

world's largest meatball

Photo: AP/Jim Cole

In the arena of giant food, the record for the world's largest meatball doesn't last long.

It was just this September that Jimmy Kimmel and crew bested a Mexican meatball to take back the prize of world's largest meatball for America. But just five weeks later, the late-night funnyman's large lunch was bested by an Italian eatery in New Hampshire.

Nonni's Italian Eatery crafted a meatball on Sunday at a Holiday Inn in Concord, N.H., that decimated Kimmel's 198.6-pound meatball by about 25 pounds.

Continue reading World's Largest Meatball Record Broken ... Again

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]]>jimmy kimmelJimmyKimmelmeatballsnonnis italian eateryNonnisItalianEateryworlds largest meatballWorldsLargestMeatballSara Bonisteel2009-11-02T16:30:00+00:00General Mills Cereals to Drop Smart Labelshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/general-mills-cereals-to-drop-smart-labels/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/general-mills-cereals-to-drop-smart-labels/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/general-mills-cereals-to-drop-smart-labels/#commentsFiled under: , ,

general mills cereal cheerios

Photo: Colin Purrington/flickr

General Mills announced this week it would drop "Smart Choices" labels from its products, including cereals.

The company planned to put these labels on up to 67 items including General Mills cereals such as Chocolate Lucky Charms and Cheerios, but bowed to public pressure after the Food and Drug Administration said the labels misled consumers, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Food companies created the labels as an easy way to find healthy foods in the grocery store, but drew criticism when it appeared on mayonnaise and Froot Loops, the paper said.

[Via Minneapolis Star-Tribune]
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]]>cheeriosfood and drug administrationFoodAndDrugAdministrationfroot loopsFrootLoopsgeneral mills cerealGeneralMillsCerealmayonnaisesmart choicessmart choices labelsSmartChoicesSmartChoicesLabelsSlashfood Editor2009-10-29T13:15:00+00:00Jolt Cola May Stop Production, Closehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/jolt-cola-may-stop-production-close/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/jolt-cola-may-stop-production-close/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/29/jolt-cola-may-stop-production-close/#commentsFiled under: , ,

jolt cola to close

Photo: 7 Bits Of Truth/flickr

Jolt Cola -- the evening study fuel of many a cramming student and the precursor to caffeine-packed energy drinks like Red Bull -- may soon be no more.

Jolt Co. Inc. filed for bankruptcy last year after racking up more than $5 million in debt to a Chicago can manufacturer. The company was optimistic about restructuring, but plans fell apart this week, putting the future of the double-caffeinated cola into jeopardy, a Jolt attorney told the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.

"The name will show up someplace else, but just that," William I. Kohn of Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff told the paper. "I don't see anybody buying the entire package."

Jolt founder Carl J. Rapp, who started the company in 1985, fought the restructuring of the company and blamed its current situation on an investment group that owns a large stake in the company, the paper reports.

Will you miss Jolt Cola? Spill it in the comments.

[Via Rochester Democrat & Chronicle]
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]]>bankruptcycarl j. rappCarlJ.Rappenergy drinksEnergyDrinksjoltjolt co. inc.jolt colaJoltCo.Inc.JoltColared bullRedBullrochester democrat and chronicleRochesterDemocratAndChronicleSara Bonisteel2009-10-29T11:30:00+00:00Del Taco Launches Program to Help Phoenix Scoutshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/26/del-taco-launches-program-to-help-phoenix-scouts/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/26/del-taco-launches-program-to-help-phoenix-scouts/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/26/del-taco-launches-program-to-help-phoenix-scouts/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Arizona scouts looking to attend the 100th Anniversary National Scout Jamboree next summer will be getting a hand from Del Taco, QSRMagazine.com reports.

The restaurant chain announced its Phoenix-area Del Taco restaurants will raise money to help more than 430 local scouts attend the jamboree next July in Fort A.P. Hill, Va., by donating 20 percent of sale proceeds from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 29 and Nov. 4 and 11. Customers need to present fundraiser flyers available here when ordering.

"Next year's centennial Jamboree marks a historic and important milestone for the Boy Scouts of America," Jamboree scoutmaster Keith Woods told the magazine. "This will be an exciting opportunity for our local scouts to be part of a huge celebration. We appreciate everything Del Taco is doing to make this trip happen."

[Via QSRMagazine.com.]
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]]>boy scoutsboy scouts of americaBoyScoutsBoyScoutsOfAmericadel tacoDelTacofundraisernational scout jamboreeNationalScoutJamboreephoenixSlashfood Editor2009-10-26T18:15:00+00:00Iceland to Lose McDonald'shttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/26/iceland-to-lose-mcdonalds/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/26/iceland-to-lose-mcdonalds/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/26/iceland-to-lose-mcdonalds/#commentsFiled under: , ,


iceland to lose mcdonald's

Iceland says so
long to El Maco,
McDonald's. Photo:
Daquella manera/flickr

Iceland will soon lose McDonald's after the island's only franchisee decided to shutter the three fast-food restaurants he owns in Reykjavik.

Lyst Hr., Iceland's only McDonald's franchise holder, decided to close its restaurants next weekend because of the falling price of Iceland's currency, the Associated Press reports.

"The economic situation has just made it too expensive for us," Magnus Ogmundsson, the managing director the company told the AP. The restaurants will reopen under a new name, Metro, serving locally produced foods.

Iceland is the ninth country to lose all its McDonald's restaurants. The chain pulled out of seven countries in 2002, and in 1996, Barbados lost its only McDonald's due to slow sales, the AP said.

[Via Associated Press]
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]]>closingicelandlyst hrLystHrmcdonaldsreykjavikSlashfood Editor2009-10-26T16:00:00+00:00Restaurant Matchbooks Survive Smoking Banshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/21/restaurant-matchbooks-survive-smoking-bans/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/21/restaurant-matchbooks-survive-smoking-bans/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/21/restaurant-matchbooks-survive-smoking-bans/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

matchbooks making a comeback

Photo: yellowcloud, Flickr.

You can't keep a good freebie down.

Despite smoking bans at restaurants in cities across the country, the restaurant matchbook is experiencing a "fragile renaissance" of sorts, the New York Times reports.

"When a state or municipality imposes a ban, we see a hesitation in reordering and a fall-off in new business," Mark Nackman, the owner and president of AdMatch, an importer based in New York City told the Times. "Then the volumes start to creep back up, so that within a year or so we see some resurgence in statewide sales. Matches have universal appeal, and that's the mystery -- that one little package could resonate with familiarity, maybe beauty and a feeling of value."

It helps that they're highly collectible. Do you have a matchbook collection or have a favorite matchbook from your dining travels? Spill it in the comments.

[Via New York Times]

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]]>advertisingmatchbookmatchesnew york timesNewYorkTimesrestaurant advertisingrestaurant matchbookRestaurantAdvertisingRestaurantMatchbookSara Bonisteel2009-10-21T15:00:00+00:00Dickey's Barbecue Pit Offers $1 Sandwicheshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/20/dickeys-barbecue-pit-offers-1-sandwiches/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/20/dickeys-barbecue-pit-offers-1-sandwiches/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/20/dickeys-barbecue-pit-offers-1-sandwiches/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is offering its Big Barbecue Sandwich on Tuesday for only a dollar between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Dallas-based chain is offering the $1 sandwich to celebrate its 68th anniversary.

Dickey's BBQ president Roland Dickey Jr. said the promotion is "a small way to say thank you to our loyal customers."

Dickey's Barbecue has more than 100 locations nationwide. It originally opened in 1941. Locations in Cary and Durham, N.C. will offer the sandwiches for $2 from 2 p.m. until closing on Oct. 20.

Click on barbecue for more information from Slashfood.
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]]>1 dollar promotion1DollarPromotionbig barbecue sandwichBigBarbecueSandwichdallasdickeys barbecue pitdickeys bbqDickeysBarbecuePitDickeysBbqSlashfood Editor2009-10-20T12:15:00+00:00Culinary Institute of America Twitter Contest Celebrates 40,000th Graduatehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/culinary-institute-of-america-twitter-contest-celebrates-40-000t/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/culinary-institute-of-america-twitter-contest-celebrates-40-000t/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/culinary-institute-of-america-twitter-contest-celebrates-40-000t/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Photo: jiashiang/flickr

To celebrate the impending graduation of its 40,000th student, the Culinary Institute of America will hold a one-day trivia contest on Twitter on Nov. 4.

Throughout the day, the CIA will ask trivia questions on its @CIACulinary Twitter about everything from its textbook and history to basic cooking techniques. The CIA's Twitter followers who correctly answer the questions will be eligible to win autographed books by CIA graduates such as John Besh and high-end cookware.

Click here to follow the CIA on Twitter.
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]]>Culinary Institute of AmericaCulinaryInstituteOfAmericajohn beshJohnBeshtrivia contestTriviaContesttwitterSlashfood Editor2009-10-15T14:30:00+00:0010 Most Awesome Food Mascotshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/10-most-awesome-food-mascots/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/10-most-awesome-food-mascots/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/10-most-awesome-food-mascots/#commentsFiled under: , ,

green giant

Photo: greefus gone, Flickr.

In ancient times, food was marketed primarily by "hunger." But in the modern era, it's not enough that we eat our food, we must also emotionally bond with it. This partly explains the enduring appeal of food mascots, those bright, colorful, affable characters who beckon us to consume.

In many cases, we choose a product simply because we have a bizarre attachment to the cartoon that represents it. There is no shame in trusting, say, a paranoid Leprechaun with a powerful marshmallow lust more than one's own family. These 10 icons are the awesomest in the pantheon of cheap food branding.

Continue reading 10 Most Awesome Food Mascots

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]]>awesomecolonel sandersColonelSandersfood mascotFoodMascotgrimacehamburger helperHamburgerHelperjolly green giantJollyGreenGiantkool-aid manKool-aidManmmsmrs. butterworthMrs.Butterworthnoidpillsbury dough boyPillsburyDoughBoythe noidTheNoidtrix rabbitTrixRabbitJohn Devore2009-10-15T14:00:00+00:00'Ho White' Australian Beer Ad Angers Disneyhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/ho-white-australian-beer-ad-angers-disney/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/ho-white-australian-beer-ad-angers-disney/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/15/ho-white-australian-beer-ad-angers-disney/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ho white ad

Photo: AdelaideNow

Heigh "ho" indeed.

An Australian beer advertisement has reportedly ticked off Disney because it features a Snow White lookalike lying in bed blowing smoke rings with seven undressed dwarves. The ad campaign for Jamieson Brewery's Raspberry Ale was created by the Australian advertising agency The Foundry to promote the beer as "anything but sweet" with a maiden they call "Ho White" and seven dwarves.

Continue reading 'Ho White' Australian Beer Ad Angers Disney

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]]>disneyho whiteHoWhitejamieson breweryJamiesonBrewerysnow whitesnow white and the seven dwarfsSnowWhiteSnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfsSarah LeTrent2009-10-15T13:30:00+00:00Ben's Chili Bowl Founder Ben Ali Dieshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/08/bens-chili-bowl-founder-dies/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/08/bens-chili-bowl-founder-dies/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/08/bens-chili-bowl-founder-dies/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ben's chili bowl
Photo: Alicia Griffin/flickr
Ben Ali, the founder of Washington D.C.'s historic Ben's Chili Bowl, has died at the age of 82.

Ali founded the landmark eatery on U Street with his wife, Virginia, during the Eisenhower administration, and it's become a hangout for presidents -- President Obama visited on Jan. 10 -- and entertainers -- Bill Cosby, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. Cosby was the only person to get a free meal at Ben's until Obama's election, when Ben's put up this sign in the window: "Who eats free at Ben's: _Bill Cosby _The Obama Family," the Associated Press reports.

The restaurant is renowned for its chili "half smokes" -- beef sausages larger than the average hot dog that are smothered in chili -- as well as its bowls of chili. The James Beard Foundation named Ben's Chili Bowl an "American Classic" in 2004. And the menu, Gourmet.com notes, isn't for the faint of heart. "Our chili will make a dog bark," it begins.

Continue reading Ben's Chili Bowl Founder Ben Ali Dies

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]]>ben aliBenAlibens chili bowlBensChiliBowlhalf smokesHalfSmokesjames beard foundationJamesBeardFoundationwashington dcWashingtonDcSara Bonisteel2009-10-08T14:30:00+00:00What Do Vending Machines Say About Corporate Culture?http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/24/what-do-vending-machines-say-about-corporate-culture/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/24/what-do-vending-machines-say-about-corporate-culture/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/24/what-do-vending-machines-say-about-corporate-culture/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A peak inside a vending machine.
Peek inside a vending machine. Photo: salimfadhley, Flickr.
What do AOL's vending machines look like? "White Castle burgers, five different varieties of Hot Pockets, Klondike bars and Oreo ice cream bars next to a sign offering a discount for Weight Watchers. I think it's safe to say that our vending machine area is being used as a Skinner box," reports Kristyn, a fellow AOL employee.

One employee's behavioral experiment is another's paradise. "I'm really, really jealous," says Jon over at MTV Networks, after being informed of AOL's snack excesses. Featuring far more pedestrian fare like Rice Krispies Treats, Nacho Cheese Doritos and Reese's Pieces, MTV's vending options won't turn any heads. Jon laments that the only real stand-out is the 25-cent can of Coke. "I guess that proves that international conglomerates are in cahoots!" he says. Or it's just a ploy to keep people awake and alert for optimum productivity.

Other big companies aren't faring much better. Jen gave us the scoop on IBM's snack selection, which was similarly standard, with plenty of chips, candy bars and the like. Still, they do try to push some healthier options. "There's a green leaf next to anything that is considered a 'balanced choice,' " says Jen. "It shows IBM's effort in trying to bring about some healthy options to a typically unhealthy way to get food." Don't expect to see any quarter Cokes, though. "The prices are really high, almost $2 for a small bag of chips," she notes. "Price alone would be the reason I wouldn't purchase from the vending machines." Maybe this is IBM's way of discouraging vending machine snacks in favor of fresh fruit or brown-bagged options?

Continue reading What Do Vending Machines Say About Corporate Culture?

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]]>candycandy barschipscorporate cultureCorporateCulturesnacksvendingvending machinesMike Pomranz2009-09-24T14:00:00+00:00Five Splurgeworthy Sparkling Wines - Wine of the Weekhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/21/five-splurgeworthy-sparkling-wines-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/21/five-splurgeworthy-sparkling-wines-wine-of-the-week/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/21/five-splurgeworthy-sparkling-wines-wine-of-the-week/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Schramsberg J. Schram
Photo: Schramsberg.
Gretchen Roberts writes the wine blog Vinobite, has passed the introductory course at the Court of Master Sommeliers and is studying for her sommelier certification this fall.

As a penny-pinching German, I don't drink expensive Champagne or domestic sparkling wine like it's water, but a couple of times a year (New Year's, wedding anniversary), I overcome my thrifty tendencies and blow big bucks on a great bottle. When I'm spending serious money on wine, I want to know my $30 or $60 or $100 is going to be worth it and not a major disappointment.

Normally our Wine Steals column focuses on $15-and-under everyday wines that are amazing for the price, but in honor of special occasions, here are five sparkling wines that I personally love and am willing to shell out for because, as Charles Dickens said, "Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life."

After the jump, five splurgeworthy sparklers plus a poll: How much are you willing to spend on special-occasion wine?

Continue reading Five Splurgeworthy Sparkling Wines - Wine of the Week

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]]>champagnedomaine carneros brut roseDomaineCarnerosBrutRosenorthshore brasserieNorthshoreBrasseriepol roger brut reserve nv champagnePolRogerBrutReserveNvChampagneschramsberg blanc de blancsschramsberg blanc de noirsschramsberg j. schramSchramsbergBlancDeBlancsSchramsbergBlancDeNoirsSchramsbergJ.Schramsegura viudas reserva heredadSeguraViudasReservaHeredadsparkling winewinewine stealsGretchen Roberts2009-09-21T15:00:00+00:00Archway Windmill Cookies Back on Shelveshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/09/archway-windmill-cookies-back-on-shelves/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/09/archway-windmill-cookies-back-on-shelves/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/09/archway-windmill-cookies-back-on-shelves/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

windmill cookies
Archway Windmill Cookies. Photo: Lance Inc.
After going into bankruptcy and closing its doors last October, cookie company Archway has been resuscitated.

Lance Inc. (of snack food fame) purchased Archway in December of last year, getting the Archway factory in Ashland, Ohio, back up and running as quickly as possible, an Archway spokeswoman tells Slashfood. Lance has since rehired most of its former employees and is in the process of rejuvenating the iconic brand, while staying true to the original recipes.

Continue reading Archway Windmill Cookies Back on Shelves

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]]>archway cookiesArchwayCookieslance incLanceIncwindmillsLisa Schweitzer2009-09-09T16:30:00+00:00Farmers and Twitter - Together at Last? http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/10/a-southern-farmer-wants-to-friend-you/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/10/a-southern-farmer-wants-to-friend-you/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/10/a-southern-farmer-wants-to-friend-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

honey
Sign at a Southern farm. Photo: moonlightbulb, Flickr
Farming may be an endless tale of drought, pests and blight, but North Carolina agriculture officials are encouraging their state's farmers to find more succinct ways to tell their stories.

The state recently held a social-media seminar for farmers, a group that's been notably reticent in the tweet department. While experts aren't sure whether to blame spotty network coverage in rural areas or the exhaustive pace of farming for farmers' near-invisibility in Twitterville, they're hoping to encourage growers to join chefs and restaurant owners in promoting their products via online networks.

"Agriculture is starting to recognize the value of social media," says Karlie Justus, public information officer for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

According to Justus, workshop enrollment so exceeded expectations that the class had to be moved to a bigger venue.

Continue reading Farmers and Twitter - Together at Last?

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]]>facebookfarmingfarmssocial mediaSocialMediatwitterHanna Raskin2009-08-10T11:00:00+00:00Beware the Wine List!http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/07/beware-the-wine-list/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/07/beware-the-wine-list/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/08/07/beware-the-wine-list/#commentsFiled under: ,

My 'Bete Rouge': Red Wine. Photo by bhollar/Flickr
This last weekend, much to our dismay, my wife and I drank our first $300 bottle of wine.

Our neighborhood in the Bronx is not blessed with an overabundance of great restaurants, so we have learned to turn a blind eye to the shortcomings of our local dives. For example, one of our favorite places has outstanding food and is beautifully decorated, but also has incredibly aggressive waiters who endlessly try to upsell us. Still, in the grand scheme of things, we've decided that pushy waiters are the kind of thing that we can overlook, particularly when the restaurant makes the kind of adoration-worthy pizzas that are its stock-in-trade.

Last weekend, a few old college friends were in town for a visit, so we took them there. After we ordered a couple of appetizers and three of the restaurant's distinctive gourmet pizzas, my wife picked a reasonably priced Italian red that seemed like a good bet to accompany our meal. A few minutes later, the waiter returned to double check on our order. My wife, who was dealing with our daughter at the time, glanced at the wine he pointed to, noted the name, and replied that, yes, it was the one we wanted.

Continue reading Beware the Wine List!

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]]>gretchen robertsGretchenRobertsHanna RaskinHannaRaskinoverchargerestaurantsupsellwine listWineListBruce Watson2009-08-07T15:00:00+00:00Washington, D.C.'s Historic Eastern Market Re-openshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/06/26/washington-d-c-s-historic-eastern-market-re-opens-today/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/06/26/washington-d-c-s-historic-eastern-market-re-opens-today/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/06/26/washington-d-c-s-historic-eastern-market-re-opens-today/#commentsFiled under: ,

eastern market
Eastern Market Photo: ngolebiewski/Flickr
Attention, residents of the nation's capital: After two long years of waiting, Washington, D.C.'s historic Eastern Market re-opened this morning.

The Capitol Hill market, which had been in continuous operation since it opened 1873, closed in 2007 after a devastating fire. Home to many farmers and a wide range of culinary delights that included everything from buckwheat blueberry pancakes (known in local parlance as "bluebucks") and cured meats to pumpkin ravioli and crab cakes, the market was the shining jewel in its neighborhood's crown.

While the fire that closed the market was a blow to a historical site, it also presented what some considered a long overdue opportunity for improvement.

Learn more about the opening party and $22 million renovation after the jump.

Continue reading Washington, D.C.'s Historic Eastern Market Re-opens

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]]>eastern marketEasternMarketfarmers marketFarmersMarketpartyre-openingwashington dcWashingtonDcRebecca Flint Marx2009-06-26T10:30:00+00:00