Domino's "Smart Slice" seen as a Trojan horse for hooking kids on fast food (The New York Times)
The New York Times takes aim at Domino's Smart Slice, introduced three and a half years ago. It says that by introducing its brand to school children with the higher whole grain, reduced-fat pizza, Domino's is encouraging kids to eat the regular pizza on their own time — a tactic that snack manufacturers are copying.
—Bret Thorn
Louisville food trucks just as safe as restaurants (The Courier-Journal)
Are food trucks as safe as brick-and-mortar restaurants when it comes to food safety? Research group Institute for Justice studied health inspection reports in Louisville, Ky., to find out.
—Lisa Jennings
The Allegheny County Health Department in Pennsylvania is considering a new A-B-C grade system based on compliance with food safety procedures for public foodservice operations, including those in Pittsburgh. If passed, Allegheny County residents would see letter grades posted on the doors of all public eating facilities by early September — including restaurants, church kitchens, schools, supermarkets, nursing homes and pool snack bars.
—Ron Ruggless
Pioneering New York City restaurant WD~50 to close (Eater New York)
Chef-restaurateur Wylie Dufresne said he plans to close his 11-year-old restaurant that broke new ground in avant-garde cuisine. Eater New York collected the social media reaction.
—Bret Thorn
Chicago Gourmet to host Trotter tribute dinner (Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Gourmet 2014, presented by Bon Appetit magazine, will include A Tribute to Charlie Trotter, the renowned Chicago chef who died last November and for years ran his awarded eponymous restaurant in the Windy City. The tribute dinner will feature dishes from chefs who learned under Trotter or shared his stature in America’s finest restaurants, including Graham Elliot, Rick Bayless, Masaharu Morimoto and others. The evening will benefit the Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation, which has served Chicago-area youth since 1999.
—Mark Brandau