"daley" news and stories

Yesterday, August 22nd, was the last day that foie gras was served in Chicago without penalty to restaurateurs. All across the city, diners were savoring their last few bites of the rich, fatty delicacy that could be purchased within the city limits.

And instead of expressing resignation, people are still worked up over the ban. Chicago Mayor Daley, who had a change to veto the ban but did not take it, wants the City Council to reconsider and says that he won't push for aggressive enforcement of the law. Daley asserts that only a handful of restaurants even serve the food, though other sources note that even a number of "downscale" places added it to their menus, making the total higher than Daley's guess of 5 or 6 restaurants.

The city council has no intention of repealing the ban, according to Alderman Joe Moore, especially because they are not alone in banning foie gras, joining ten European countries and California that have total or partial bans on the manufacture and sale of the delicacy. Alderman also notes that the Mayor cannot "pick and choose which laws to enforce," so the ban will receive the same attention as other matters.

For those still looking to get a taste of foie gras in Chicago, chef Tony Mantuano at Spiaggia is serving up a vegetarian version "made from chickpeas, vin santo and olive oil, among other ingredients" on crostini. At Tru, the caviar lounge is serving a "faux gras" made with chicken liver.

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In just 90 days, restaurants and retailers in Chicago will face $500 fines for selling or serving foie gras, according to the New York Times. The fines are the result of a ban approved 48 to one yesterday by the Chicago City Council. While California has long term plans that would ban the rich goose and duck livers several years from now, the Chicago ban makes the Windy City the first in the nation to put the kybosh on them. Many are opposed to foie gras because of the intensive force feeding of geese and ducks that its production often requires. While local chefs like Charlie Trotter have already stopped serving foie gras, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley was quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times, saying: "We have real issues here in this city ... Let's get some priorities."

Slashfood's Nicole Weston also posted about the ban when it was proposed last winter.