The Malaysian Insider :: Food

Dubious honour for most searched fast food brand on Bing in 2012

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 06:06 PM PST

Pizza Hut's pre-US election stunt made it the top searched fast food term on Bing this year. — AFP-Relaxnews pic

NEW YORK, Nov 29 — Pizza Hut has emerged as the most searched fast food brand on Bing in 2012, but for reasons the folks at the Microsoft search engine surmise are less for their Cheese Lover's Pizzas and more for an election marketing campaign stunt gone terribly wrong.

It's that time of year again, trendspotting season when search engines Bing and Google release a snapshot of the past year with a list of the most searched-for terms across categories like celebrities, musicians, movies and fashion.

In Bing's annual Top Searches of 2012 Report released this week, Pizza Hut topped the fast food brand category following a PR campaign that tried to capitalise on the US election by challenging presidential debate attendees to plug the chain in exchange for a lifetime's supply of pizza.

The question fans were dared to ask in the town hall debate? "Sausage or pepperoni?"

What was supposed to be a high-profile marketing campaign riding high on US election fever turned sour, however, when the public fired back, slamming the ploy for making a mockery of US politics. The backlash eventually forced the company to back down and pull the campaign altogether.

Instead, the company opened the question to the public at large.

Meanwhile, rounding out the top five fast food brands on Bing were Papa John's, Subway, McDonald's and Taco Bell.

The most searched holiday food, meanwhile, turned out to be turkey, followed by apple cider and ham.

The most popular desserts included sugar cookies, followed by fudge and gingerbread.

Google likewise releases an annual Zeitgeist list that includes the top search terms over the last year.

For the full Bing list, visit http://binged.it/V30uQ3. — AFP-Relaxnews

Irrawaddy Fine Foods: A deli-ghtful addition to Penang

Posted: 28 Nov 2012 03:46 PM PST

Chef Tommes invites you to try some of his home-made pizzas. — Pictures by Helen Ong

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 29 — Although Penang is already chock full of all kinds of places to eat at and indeed things to eat, Chef Tommes (yes, he goes by one name only) wanted to bring to Penang something different. Started a year ago, Irrawaddy Fine Foods is sort of a cross between a European deli and, as he lived there for eight years, a New York-style one.

Their most popular sandwich: Tuna on square oregano bread with home-made mayo and Emmental cheese.

"The food here is traditional and old school," he explained, giving as an example their chemical-free breads which are made in-house daily. "It's somewhere for people to come and get food like Grandma used to make. They can eat it here, then buy the stuff to take home."

Located in a an old semi-detached house in Jalan Irrawaddy, the tree-lined road parallel to and situated between Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and Burmah Road, the tiny place is a gourmet cook's paradise.

Although his original intention was to stock specially-imported items that the expat community misses, it's since moved on, and display shelves now compete with food counters and eating space.

According to Tommes, who with his trademark blond crew-cut and semi-Mohican black quiff is instantly recognisable as the co-host of the popular AFC "Chalk and Cheese" food show, the deli concept isn't that well-known in Penang.

"People purchase the food, then seem to want to stay and eat it here, so we took out some storage units and added a couple of small tables and chairs."

The "Breakfast Corner", situated in a small ante room at the back, consists of a long table with benches either side, and allows for larger groups.

A quick perusal of the shelves reveals items which you don't usually see in supermarkets here: sauces, condiments and food from Europe. In the cold cut chiller, you can spot different cheeses, pastries and even imported deer sausages.

The popular fresh food counter at the deli.

They have also recently started "The Penang Pork Company" (Tel: +6016 456 0611) which makes a selection of all-natural sausages and other barbeque products. "We don't use scraps, and only 30 per cent fat," said Tommes.

However, it is their fresh food counter which is proving the biggest hit: freshly-baked pizzas sold by the slice, a square of creamy chicken lasagne or mini quiche and salad to go with a cup of their home-made soup. Or a sandwich made with one of the six breads that are produced in the bakery upstairs, including the original BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato), the New York-style Reuben, corned beef and sauerkraut on rye bread, or their most popular, the Tuna Sandwich on square oregano bread ("so we can get more filling in!") with home-made mayo and Emmental cheese.

Everything is quite reasonably priced, so it comes as no surprise that canny Penangites like to meet there to eat, starting from as early as 10am for their Full English Breakfast priced at just RM11.90 or a snack, then stay on to chit chat over a cup of brewed coffee in the friendly, conducive ambience.

In fact, 90 per cent of their customers are locals, a fact which Tommes finds rather surprising but endearing. "Old couples who live around the neighbourhood have never seen anything like this, and they are quite curious and come in to explore." The fact that their breads are sold off at half price after 5pm may have something to do with it!

The deli is set in a small semi-detached house on Irrawaddy Road.

Not content with being a celebrity chef and the responsibility of running two outlets – together with wife Louise he is also co-proprietor of another place in Jalan Chow Thye a couple of streets away – (yes, it's "That Little Wine Bar"!) Tommes is also keen to pass on his massive knowledge about food and cooking.

His cooking classes cover the gamut from making real bread to professional cooking skills.

Having a party? Why not make it truly different? They will not just cater unique food, saving you the hassle of cooking, but give you the kudos of having Asia's latest celebrity chef present at your do!

For details or more information, contact them at info@irrawaddyfinefoods.com.

Irrawaddy Fine Foods
4 Jalan Irrawaddy
10050 Penang, Malaysia.

Tel: 04-228 6360
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm Mondays to Saturdays

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Rabu, 28 November 2012

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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