🍽️ Lets Eat Better

FOODIER

ENTERTAINMENT

Rappers are taking over a new Industry

Trill Burgers, co-owned by rapper Bun B, has made waves in Houston's culinary scene, known for its exceptional burgers. The brick-and-mortar spot has evolved from a pop-up to a popular kiosk at NRG Stadium. Its acclaim soared after being dubbed the "Ultimate Burger Spot" by Good Morning America.

E-40, a renowned Bay Area rapper, has extended his entrepreneurial reach beyond music into the food industry with his brand "Goon With The Spoon". This venture showcases his innovative approach, offering unique food products like pre-packaged sausages and burritos in partnership with Kinder's Meats. These products stand out for their inventive flavors, including Philly cheesesteak and teriyaki pineapple chicken.

Styles P, a member of The LOX, has been making strides in the health and wellness space with his juice bar, Juices For Life. Established in 2011, the venture aims to bring healthier food options to underserved communities in New York, addressing the issue of food deserts.

FOODIE SPOTLIGHT

Keith Lee makes an impact with his platform

Keith Lee: The story is about a visit to a family-owned Korean barbecue restaurant in Las Vegas. The restaurant was acquired by a father who had always dreamed of owning such a place, but sadly, he was diagnosed with tongue cancer shortly after. Tragically, the father passed away a few days before the visit.

Best Food in San Diego: San Diego offers a rich culinary experience beyond its renowned fish tacos and craft beer, thanks to its great weather, proximity to Mexico, and access to fresh produce. The guide lists 23 must-visit restaurants in San Diego, catering to a range of preferences from casual lunches to oceanfront fine dining, including plant-based and brunch selections.

Food Heaven: Wendy and Jess are best friends and Registered Dietitians with Master's degrees in nutrition who started "Food Heaven Made Easy" in 2011. It began as a creative project to spread their passion for nutritious and healthy eating.

RECIPES

Secrets are being revealed…🤫 

Pitmaster Reveals All Briskets Secrets: Bradley Robinson aka Chuds BBQ shares his extensive experience in Texas barbecue to create the ultimate Central Texas style craft brisket. He uses an American Wagyu brisket and applies various techniques he learned from renowned pitmasters and barbecue joints.

Futurama’s Popplers: In the "Binging with Babish" episode about "Futurama's" popplers, the host explores recreating these fictional snacks.

Grand Marnier Souffle: This classic French soufflé recipe, It features crème pâtissière, orange zest, and Grand Marnier for a citrusy flavor.

Skillet Lemon Pepper Salmon: Uses simple yet flavorful ingredients like lemon, cracked black pepper, and paprika to create a salmon dish that is tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.

FOOD DOLLAR

Key Performance Indicator

The summary of restaurant chain acquisitions in 2023 highlights a year marked by significant deals, despite not being the most active in terms of volume. Key points include:

1. Subway's Acquisition by Roark Capital: Subway, after being on the market throughout the year, was acquired by Roark Capital for $9.6 billion, including an earn-out provision. However, this deal faces uncertainty due to an FTC investigation into Roark's extensive ownership.

2. Cava's IPO: Cava, a fast-casual Mediterranean chain, successfully went public, raising $318 million. This was a notable achievement in a challenging market and was followed by Gen Korean BBQ's smaller IPO.

3. Bain Capital Acquires Fogo de Chao: Bain Capital purchased the Brazilian steakhouse chain Fogo de Chao for a reported $1.1 billion, preventing its planned public offering.

4. Darden's Purchase of Ruth's Chris Steak House: In a strategic move, Darden Restaurants acquired Ruth's Chris for $715 million, despite potential challenges due to rising beef prices.

5. Pollo Tropical Sale to Garnett Station Partners: After a difficult search for a buyer, Pollo Tropical was sold to Garnett Station Partners for $225 million.

The year also saw trends such as an emphasis on international expansion, with major chains like McDonald's, KFC, and Papa Johns acquiring stakes in overseas locations. Additionally, there was a rise in the creation of "brand platforms," where small chains were acquired and consolidated under a single umbrella, as seen with 1000 Degrees, Xperience Restaurant Group, and Craveworthy Brands.

Looking forward to the next year, there is anticipation for more activity in the market, with potential names like Insomnia Cookies, Jersey Mike’s, and Panera Brands being involved in deals or public offerings. The completion of the Subway deal also remains a point of interest.

FOOD SAFETY

Outbreak Update

Active Outbreaks:

• Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Charcuterie Meats (start 1/5/24)

  • Illnesses 47 (23 new), Hospitalizations 10 (5 new), Deaths 0, States 22 (8 new)

• Lead and Chromium Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (start 10/17/23)

  1. Total Cases 404, States 43

Recently Closed Outbreak:

• Listeria Outbreak Linked to Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums (11/20/23-1/30/24)

  • Illnesses 11, Hospitalizations 10, Deaths 1, States 7

• Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes (11/17/23-1/19/24)

  • Illnesses 407, Hospitalizations 158, Deaths 6, 44 states

Recall Link:

• 2024 Recall Count 34

AGRICULTURE, SCIENCE, AND TECH

White House, USDA, and Black Farmers

Farmers: The White House is allocating billions to support Black farmers, launching a $2.2 billion Discrimination Financial Assistance Program to aid those discriminated against by the USDA in farm lending before 2021. Tom Perez, director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, emphasized the importance of addressing historical discrimination. The program offers compensation up to $500,000 and includes three options designed to minimize impact on small firms.

NEWS

What else is cooking?

Restaurant: Known as a unique culinary gem of the American South, New Orleans stands out among America's great food cities. Twelve restaurants you should visit

Trends: The latest food technology innovations are addressing food shortages and promoting climate-conscious eating habits through several emerging trends identified from an analysis of over 5000 companies.

Viral: Pink sauce creator was paid $120,000 from the manufacturer. Why isn’t this viral product more profitable?

FINDS

🎙️Podcast: “Taste of Place" is a podcast by Whetstone Radio Collective, hosted by Dr. Anna Sulan Masing. It examines the impacts of colonialism by tracing trade routes and engaging with pepper farmers.

📚Book: A decade ago, Michael Pollan challenged the public with "The Omnivore’s Dilemma," a book that delves into the implications of our food choices for health and the continuation of our species.

📓Journal: The study evaluated the effectiveness of oversampling methods to improve the prediction of E. Coli presence in spinach wash water using machine learning models.

📰Article: These ice cream companies are making some amazing flavors caramel pound cake, dairy-free peach cobbler, and horchata just to name a few. These brands are changing the game.

🎥Video: "Food Wars" hosts @harrykersh and @JoeAvella travel across London to find the best burger, fish and chips, and full English breakfast in the city. They'll be visiting the best-rated spots.

COMPOUND OF THE WEEK

C₆H₅Na₃O₇: Sodium citrate, chemically known as trisodium citrate, It is the sodium salt of citric acid. In food applications, sodium citrate is often used in dairy products (like cheese sauces and spreads) where it helps to keep proteins dispersed and prevent separation.

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