Real Time Web Analytics Foodie Gossip: November 2010

Sunday, November 28, 2010

McRib Hoopla

Can someone explain to me what the fascination is with McDonald’s McRib Sandwich? Processed pork and an abundance of synthetic ingredients? Sounds delish…

…Not really. What it does sound like:

- A heart-attack-in-the-box
- Cancer waiting to happen
- A really bad hangover
- Mc Mystery Meat

Moreover, the marketing tactics that McDonalds has used to promote McRib sales are so blunt, I’m surprised it’s actually worked. Just google “mcrib” + “artificial scarcity” and you’ll see what I mean.

The image on the left is how McDonald's advertizes their McNasty sandwich. The image on the right is what they really give you for your McDollars:







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I’ve listed the McRib Nutrition Facts below. Here's my advice: If you can’t pronounce it, DON’T EAT IT!!

McRib Nutritional Info: 500 calories, 240 calories from fat, 26 g fat, 10 g saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 1040 mb sodium, 44 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 24 g protein, 11 g sugars.

McRib Pork Patty
Pork, water, salt, dextrose, BHA and BHT and propyl gallate and citric acid (preservatives).

McRib Bun
Enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, yeast, high fructose corn syrup, contains 2% or less of the following: salt, corn meal, wheat gluten, soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oils, dextrose, sugar, malted barley flour, cultured wheat flour, calcium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, soy flour, dough conditioners (sodium stearoyl lactylate, datem, ascorbic acid, azodicarbonamide, mono- and diglycerides, ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides, monocalcium phosphate, enzymes, guar gum, calcium peroxide), calcium propionate (preservative), soy lecithin.
CONTAINS: WHEAT AND SOY

McRib Sauce
Water, high fructose corn syrup, tomato paste, distilled vinegar, molasses, natural smoke flavor (plant source), food starch-modified, salt, sugar, spices, soybean oil, xanthan gum, onion powder, garlic powder, chili pepper, sodium benzoate (preservative), caramel color, beet powder.

Pickle Slices
Cucumbers, water, distilled vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, alum, potassium sorbate (preservative), natural flavors (plant source), polysorbate 80, extractives of turmeric (color).
Slivered Onions

Allergens: Wheat, Soybean Food Sensitivities: Gluten




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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Food Porn Goes South

Do any of you struggle with a certain addiction? Just the thought of it makes your mouth water? Yes, we’re talking about… “The Food Network”.

This season’s finale of South Park, “Crème Fraiche,” was a ridiculous and sexual-innuendo-filled take on the dynamics of a family trying to cope with a father’s lust for gourmet food. His obsession with the Food Network causes problems in the home and his passion for cooking turns into a longing to be a celebrity chef. Cartman does a very entertaining impersonation of Gordon Ramsay. And Bobby Flay, Jamie Oliver, Mario Batali, Paula Dean, and Giada De Laurentiis make appearances in the “Hell’s Kitchen Nightmares Iron Top Chef Cafeteria Throw Down Ultimate Cook-off Challenge.”

Food Network is taking over mainstream media and making a big impact on how we cook and eat. That’s why we foodies can really relate to this episode. The celebrity chef appearances are a blast, but just a warning: the episode is overflowing with blatant sexual references. If you’re not a prude and you do love food check out the latest episode of South Park.


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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Chuck E. Cheese Robbed at Gunpoint

Looks like Chuck E. Cheese is no longer a place where “a kid can be a kid”. On Saturday, just before 10pm, the Chuck E. Cheese, located on Mowry School Road in Newark, CA was raided and ransacked by three masked and armed men, traumatizing children and parents alike. The robbers rounded up families and employees at gunpoint and herded them into a storeroom, while they robbed the (once-was) family-friendly pizzeria.

The victims called 911 while they were locked away, but by the time the 12 officers made it to the crime scene the robbers had already made their escape. And, unfortunately, there’s no evidence that leads to the identity of the 3 pathetic criminals.

And seriously, how sick and pathetic does one have to be to threaten and terrorize a bunch of children?? Whatever happened to the traditional liquor store robbery?

Fortunately, no one was injured, but I doubt the kiddies will beg for pizza night anytime soon.

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Friday, November 12, 2010

Giada "Squashes" Over-Cooked John Mayer Rumors

Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis was rudely accused by iniquitous tabloid Star Magazine of cheating on her loving husband of seven years, Anthropologie fashion designer Todd Thompson, with musician John Mayer.

The Italian beauty has enough on her plate as it is, including mourning the loss of her grandfather, Dino De Laurentiis, without having to deal with ugly accusations of adultery. Giada and Thompson have a romance that has spanned over 20 years and share a young daughter, Jade Marie. She also stars in her own cooking show, “Giada at Home”, plays mentor to contestants on “The Next Food Network Star”, and is a culinary contributor on the "TODAY" Show. This is not a woman who has time to cheat and let alone with the constant-attention-seeking John Mayer.

While both De Laurentiis and Mayer denied any claims of an affair, we have to wonder if one of them did leak the story in order to cause a much-missed media frenzy. It wouldn't be the first time…

Giada’s rep released a statement to US Magazing clearly denying any connection between the food star and the musician: "When the Star reporter approached Giada De Laurentiis on Sunday, while she was co-hosting a children's cancer fundraiser, Giada responded unequivocally that she did not see John Mayer when she was in New York for the Food and Wine Festival. Furthermore, contrary to the claims of an anonymous “source,” at no time did Giada step foot in the Gansevoort Hotel. Giada indeed met John Mayer briefly at a charity event in 2007 but has not seen him since. To be clear, they are not friends and cannot even go so far as to call John Mayer an acquaintance. There is not a sliver of truth to Star magazine's story. It is unfortunate Star would publish these malicious untruths without reporting the fact that Giada was with her husband Todd that weekend in New York, along with their family and friends. Giada De Laurentiis and her family deserve an apology and we demand an immediate retraction.”

I have to agree. It’s pathetic what a cheesy tabloid will come up with to generate viewership.


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