Pizza
Gourmet
hampden maine 207 862 6900
Pizza
Gourmet
hampden maine 207 862 6900
News from the foodservice industry 2007 Home Page
Please note that the links may eventually expire
December 2007
NRA Forecast: 4.4% growth in 2008
NRA's
annual forecast predicts industry growth to $558 billion in sales next year
despite rising energy prices, lower home values and a general sense of
purse-tightening among consumers. Restaurants will juggle cost issues by raising
prices in response to inflation and offering more "value" meals, according to
the report. "Twenty years ago, it used to be what happened to the national
economy happened to the restaurant industry," said Hudson Riehle, the NRA's head
of research. "But the restaurant industry has truly become such an economic
juggernaut that what happens to the industry actually affects the national
economic infrastructure."
The Dallas Morning News
(12/12) ,
American Public Media
(12/12) ,
CNNMoney.com
(12/12)
Fast-then-feast schedule may be healthy, study finds
A
number of scientific trials indicate that there might be some benefit to a
feast-then-fast schedule of eating for humans. A 2005 study by scientists at the
Pennington Biomedical Research Center showed varying benefits, differing by
gender, when subjects followed a schedule of alternate feasting and fasting
days.
Los Angeles Times
(free registration)
(12/10)
Study: Red, processed meat may increase cancer risk
High
intake of red and processed meat may lead to an elevated risk for several
cancers such as colorectal, lung, liver and bone, a new study found. Certain
factors, including cooking at a high temperature and the presence of saturated
fat and iron in meat, are possible contributors to the link between red or
processed meat and cancer risk, the study added.
U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News
(12/11)
Petersburg residents pitch in at pizzeria while owner is injured
PETERSBURG — Ben Hollis and brothers Matt and Jeff Heubner, members of the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department, were up to their elbows in soapsuds Sunday evening as they washed stacks of dishes at Leo’s Pizza
Starbucks brands to expand in supermarkets
Starbucks Corp.
plans to expand its range of Starbucks-branded products such as coffee, ice
cream and chocolate. It is targeting the premium coffee bean market with a
"Limited Reserve" coffee brand with premium beans from Asia, Latin America and
Africa.
The Washington Post/Reuters
(8/13)
Restaurant grease thefts increase in number, company says
The Cincinnati Enquirer (8/13)
Mel's Diner moves past 1960s, updates look
The Mel's Diner chain in
Southwest Florida is changing its concept, as diners no longer respond to the
1960s-based atmosphere and decorations. The chain's popular burgers, fries and
shakes will remain, but new menu items and an updated restaurant design will
usher in a new era.
Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Fla.)
(8/13)
McDonald's TV series gives children opportunity to attend
Olympics
McDonald's Corp. has paired
up with the International Olympic Committee and China Central Television to
create a reality TV show contest that will result in 300 children being given
the chance to attend the Olympics. McDonald's, a major sponsor of the 2008
Olympic Games in Beijing, will start airing the series this weekend as it
continues efforts to expand in China.
The Wall Street Journal
(subscription required)
NYC steakhouses respond to higher beef prices
U.S. efforts to decrease oil
dependency and boost ethanol production are likely behind a price increase for
cattle feed, and therefore beef, according to Tod Kalous, an analyst for
Cattle-Fax. Some New York City steakhouses, including Brooklyn's Peter Luger
Steakhouse and Manhattan's Ben Benson's, are altering their menus in response to
increased beef prices and decreased availability, The New York Sun reports.
The New York Sun
(8/8)
Growing business in counting calories
Nutrition-analysis companies
such as On The Menu, Palate Works and Healthy Dining are seeing business boom as
more manufacturers and restaurants are providing detailed nutritional
information on their products and menus. "Taste is absolutely the No. 1 driver,"
one nutrition expert said. "Cost and convenience tend to be Nos. 2 and 3. Health
runs a solid fourth."
Seattle Post-Intelligencer/Associated Press
Cool trends for National Ice Cream Month
Always a hot market, the
frozen treat industry brings in $21 billion in the U.S. each year, according to
the International Dairy Foods Association. Entrepreneur celebrates July as
National Ice Cream Month with a look at the latest trends, from flavors and new
low-fat options to luxury ice-cream trucks.
Entrepreneur
Darden searches for a new brand
Darden Restaurants is evaluating expansion
plans for its Olive Garden chain and acquisition possibilities as the company
moves forward from a failed investment in Smokey Bones. Analysts are suggesting
Darden might pursue a purchase of OSI Restaurant Partners' upscale seafood
eatery, Bonefish Grill.
Trans-fats-free oil coming to Burger King
Burger King will cook with
trans-fat-free oil at every one of its U.S. restaurants by the end of 2008, the
company announced. Consumer taste tests showed french fries, hash browns and
other menu items prepared in the new oil tasted the same or better than current
products.
Forbes/Associated Press
Cinnamon helps keep blood sugar level down, study finds
Swedish researchers report cinnamon can help keep post-meal blood sugar levels
down, a finding with potential implications for diabetes treatment. About one
teaspoon of cinnamon added to a bowl of rice pudding lowered the blood sugar
increase in a group of healthy volunteers, the study found. The researchers
noted that further studies were needed on people with diabetes.
Restaurateur Bob Evans dies at 89
Bob Evans,
89, founder of the Bob Evans Farms chain, died Thursday at the Cleveland Clinic
after suffering complications from pneumonia. Evans was famous for his
determination to find good sausage -- even if he had to make it himself -- for
the Ohio restaurant he opened after World War II.
National Restaurant Association prioritizes food safety
The National Restaurant Association met with the produce industry and the Food
and Drug Administration in California in March with a goal of developing
mandatory safety guidelines. More stringent controls along the supply chain and
increased government regulation by the FDA are two of the long-term strategies
that Donna Garren, vice president of health and regulatory affairs, has
advocated.
Got milk? Maybe not at these prices
U.S. retail milk prices have jumped 3% this year, the USDA reported. According
to an industry observer, a gallon of milk will jump another 40 cents per gallon
during the next few months.
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Ky.)
Having just tried its hand at developing a digital music player, Microsoft is working on something new: digital furniture.
When it comes to pizza, anyway. Not that thick, bready crust has ever really gone out of style, but thin-crust pie is definitely catching on.
Foodies Get a Taste for Online Reviews
TRADITIONAL DISH MOVING BEYOND THE BIG PILE OF LETTUCE
With pizza crust, thin or thick, chewy or crisp, it's all a matter of personal preference. And those textures can depend on the type of flour you use. Some books and Web sites say flour labeled Caputo 00 is best for pizza dough
PIZZA shop staff who overpowered an armed robber and held him until police arrived are being investigated
Food Safety an interesting site on keeping food safe to eat.
This site has some nice recipes
Calcium, vitamin D may pose brain risks
Bubier Meats Recalls Beef Products
for Possible Fecal and Possible Fecal and other Contaminants
Bubier Meats,
located in
The labels on the
products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. 4” inside the
STATE mark of inspection. Bubier did not date or lot code these products.
The products
include:
Consumers and the
media with questions about the recall should contact company Manager Tobey
Bubier at 207-946-7761.
Or, call us at 207-623-2178 for further information.