Frank Bruni loves Toronto’s Asian food, Loblaws trumpets local produce, the Food Network is recession-proof
• The retired critic Frank Bruni told the Globe and Mail that his complicated history with food actually had an effect on the language he used in his reviews. The former sleep eater, “faster” and childhood bulimic says he specifically avoided the words “guilty pleasure” and “sinful.” The writer also spread a little butter on our muffin, saying he used to trek up to T.O. for Asian food when he lived in Detroit. [Globe and Mail]
• American specialty channel the Food Network is celebrating a 20 per cent rise in ratings this July over last. Real estate shows have tanked since the bubble burst, while food shows have become more popular because they “take away the pain,” says TV analyst Shari Anne Brill. The Food Network’s audience was growing long before the recent uptick, with a total increase of 55 per cent since 2004. [Bloomberg]
• New York’s parks commissioner says only one can stay after at least eight disabled vets wheeled their food carts over to the plaza outside the Metropolitan Museum. A 19th-century state law allows disabled veterans to sell without a permit, but the squad has become a safety hazard, according to commissioner Adrian Benepe. Safety is clearly not the only issue; other carts pay roughly $500,000 to sell hot dogs at prime locations. [New York Times]
• The economy may be slowing down, but enrolment at George Brown College’s culinary school is strong; 2,800 full-time and 7,000 continuing education students are expected to enroll in cooking, chocolatier and sommelier programs this fall. Dean John Walker says it’s an exciting time for the restaurant business, but we can’t help but wonder how excited these students will be when they graduate and start looking for jobs. [Toronto Star]
• Loblaws plans to label more of its food as “grown close to home.” In an effort to increase its local-food cred, the grocer also plans to display the name of the farm above bins of local fruit and veggies. The company says about 40 per cent of its produce comes from local farms during August and September. [National Post]
Ratings are up for Food Network U.S. Great. Too bad they had to dumb it down in a MAJOR way for that to happen. When one of your best rated shows is Sandra Lee’s ‘Semi-Homemade’ (kid you not), then you know you’re in trouble. Basically she opens up box after box, can after can, jar after jar. She has never done anything with all fresh ingredients. Too bad. And don’t even get me started on our Food Network here. Can Food Network get any worse? Rob Rainford? Where did they find that guy? Restaurant make-over that shows the same restaurants over and over and over again? Not only that, but who are these supposed ‘food critics’ at the end? Never ever heard of any of them. Were Kates and Mintz on holidays when they chose them? Oh, and I forgot the best, 5 year old Christine Cushing episodes. Way to Food Network Canada! You are some real superstars running that place… Way to take all the fun for foodies out of watching our favourite channel.