Welcome to Food Week February 7, 2025. So many egg stories, so little space, but everyone is freaking out. I wonder how many Super Bowl parties this weekend will skip deviled eggs? But many things non-egg related too. Enjoy!
MACRO
- The Inspector General who started the Boar’s Head investigation is fired by Trump Administration.
- It hasn’t happened yet but it is entirely likely that HPAI could be spread through ingesting food.
- Most popular snacks for Super Bowl by state. Dear North Dakota: what’s with Knoephia soup?
RETAIL AND CONSUMER
- Pickles and olives and other food trends. Where milk fits in is anyone guess.
- Walmart in the mall business now?
- Eggs:
- The egg thefts have begun. 8000 dozen stolen in PA.
- Trader Joe’s limits daily purchases to one dozen per day.
- Berkeley Bowl in CA has solved – for the moment – egg shortages by owning its own flocks. But owning chickens is a horrible investment for homeowners.
- If you can’t get eggs, here are some things people used to eat for breakfast.
- Ultra-processed foods that aren’t terrible.
RESTAURANTS AND FOODSERVICE
- Eggs:
- Restaurants are re-thinking their egg usage.
- Waffle House is now putting a surcharge on each egg.
- Cracker Barrel makes hay with Waffle House move.
- Peak minimalism: NADC Burger has only two items on the menu.
- I assumed the Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in NYC was owned by Wolfgang Puck. But I am stupid.
- Why No Tax on Tips is a terrible idea.
- Cheap(er) Michelin starred restaurants in NYC
FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN
- And now a second form of Avian Influenza in cattle.
- Cocoa just keeps going up.
- Pennsylvania invests in meat processing. Rare that states take a stake in legacy industries like this.
- New York State moves to ban additives and increase ingredient visibility. These moves, along with California, may conflict with plans of the new Administration in DC.
- Florida citrus at century low levels.
DRINKS
- Really high end Gin kinda demands to be enjoyed neat. However, chilled with a vermouth rise remains the best.
- How much sugar is in a glass of red wine? Also, wine myths debunked.
- Which came first? Wine or beer?
- Bars are increasingly recognizing the importance of water in their cocktails.
- The world’s best whiskey by a famous bartender. TL;DR: it’s a hard to find Japanese output. A bad time for it, but new whiskey releases
- I am not so sure about this but salted caramel in a Whiskey Sour? Also The Sazerac.
FOOD WEEK February 7 LAGNIAPPE
- The relationship between gut bacteria and inflammation and depression.
- We are on team caffeine here but teens should really avoid it.
- Heard of Galentine’s Day? Well I just did.
- Restaurant chain ditches seed oils. Many of the health concerns are about how they are processed but thanks halo effect, the buzz is all seed oils are bad.