Homemade Taco ContestSubmit Your Photo Via EmailIt Is On

ENTRY FROM: Ethadad

ENTRY FROM: Mr.Cooley - Nevada

ENTRY FROM: Mr. S.Bill - Bangor, Maine

ENTRY FROM: Negative Nancy

ENTRY FROM: Fat Pride Staffers

Let the taco games begin. Photo above is of homemade tacos prepared 500 feet under the Earth's surface in our test kitchens. Many speak of how their tacos are the most best - let us see. We believe our tacos will win, but we will be using a third party for final judging.

It's On.

"Loaded & Baked"Instant Mashed PotatoesMade By Idahoan Brand

This newer foodstuff is awarded the best named offering we have seen in awhile. Loaded & Baked 4 minute mashed potatoes are quite nice - wether you are loaded and/or baked or not. We do not judge here at the FPTimes. Nice portion in this bag - enough for two or one really loaded and baked individual. Idahoan offers other flavors as well but this one stands alone. Five FPT Stars.

Call For Information:Yorkshire Pudding - Need Info

One of our long time readers has asked us to ask our visitors if they have any information on or about the dish called 'Yorkshire Pudding' as he had it while vacationing in the United Kingdom.

One of our staffers floated around some chatrooms with people from Europe within them asking questions about this foodstuff. Some of the replies were: 'it's literally just batter cooked in fat in the oven to form a small savoury pudding normally served with meat and gravy' -- ' a gigantic undercooked savoury donut' -- 'you can get huge ones the size of a plate and fill them with sausages and gravy and veg which is ace' and 'served traditionally the face of george michael embossed in the bottom using a "georging iron". These answers helped, however we are still seeking help from our international base of readers. Please send any photos to us or post any info using the comment link below. We thank you for your help.

FPT Fine Arts Report:A Graceful Bagel Dance

One of our readers sent us to the following video link and decided we needed to post more diverse foodstuff related offerings. This unknown "Sandal Dancer" gracefully performs his moves around a jalapeno and cheese bagel - very unique and captivating.

One of this dancers fans described this performance as "It's like angels are moving your feet and tapping out God's rhythms."

Fat Pride 5-Star Foodstuff:Fresh Express Salsa!Ensalada Supreme

The staff here felt that we should follow our last post about a horrible item with info on one we can stand behind. We are loving the bagged salad kit from Fresh Express called "Salsa! - Ensalada Supreme". This bag comes with nice washed cut salad and a kit with all kinds of kickers to add. Included is tortilla strips, grated cheese, salsa and a spicy creamy dressing. Toss them all in a bowl, roll them around and you got one mean meal.

Fresh Express has a variety of these kits and all the ones we have tried as of yet are all excellent as well.

Pillsbury Low Fat Toaster ScramblesMakes Our Worst Food List

We are not happy campers at the FPT underground test kitchens right about now. This morning we were to sample the Pillsbury Low Fat Toaster Scrambles but we did not get past the first bite. Not sure what we were expecting with these, but what we got was not of this earth. They are like saltine crackers with some nasty cheesey mac spread in them. Absolutely unedible.

Doritos Chips:Flavor Guide

The staff here has really picked up on the new offerings from Doritos brand corn chips. They are trying all kinds of wild new flavors, even unnamed flavors in black bags as well as 2-flavor combo bags. Leanna, from our Accounting Department thoughtfully composd this list for all of us, so that we know whats available. This list is for the US only, our foreign correspondants will be posting soon with international lists.

• Nacho Cheese
  
• Cool Ranch
  
• Toasted Corn
  
• Natural White Nacho Cheese
  
• Ranchero
  
• Salsa Verde
  
• Smokin' Cheddar BBQ
  
• Spicy Nacho
  
• Taco
  
• Fiery Habanero
  
• Wild White Nacho
  
• X-13D
  
• Buffalo Ranch
  

Wendy's New "Baconator" BurgerOur Reviews & Cost Analysis

One of our regular readers clued us in on a new offering from Wendy's called the 'Baconator' and as always we were eager to sample the foodstuff. On our visit we bought two items, the junior bacon cheeseburger at 99 cents and the Baconator at 4.29. As the comparison photos below show you - we are not too impressed with the so-called Baconator.

It has the same crappy paper thin bacon on it and as our reader related to us: "i've got the baconator in my hands,it pretty much pwned me. I'd say i'd rather have 4 bacon cheeseburgers @ 99c over this thing it was $4.68 after taxes."

The staff here is in full agreement with our reader and we will not be 'Baconating' again. However, we do still endorse the 99 cent version.

Reader Tells Tale OfNew Black Burger King Bag

One of our readers sent the following image and story of his experience with the new black bags being used at Burger King. We are sending out a staff member this morning to Burger King to see what this is all about. The new bags appear to be some sort of heat-keeping device that keeps your foodstuffs warm - but we cannot confirm this as of yet.

Our reader tells us: "They are all black, and have a glossy finish. When i first was handed the bag, it was HOT. I was thrown off gaurd and even a bit concerned by the way the new packeging (sic) seemed to be radiating heat..... Well when i got home and stepped out of the car, the bag ripped. Luckily the breakfast sandwiches were still delicious."

Doritos Tortilla Chips: New Flavor Battle& The X-13D Mystery Bag

The kind people over in marketing/development at Doritos have been working on a few unique promotions. First, there was a 'flavor-off' between two new chip offerings: 'Smokin' Cheddar Cheese Flavor' and 'White Cheddar Flavor'. This battle has concluded with 'Smokin' Cheddar Cheese Flavor' winning the rights to be an official new flavor for sale. What happens to the 'White Cheddar' we do not know.

Currently, Doritos is offering a flavor code named X-13D. They come packaged in a basic black and white bag with all the looks of a scientific experiment. Premise of this promotion is to have eaters email in suggestions for a final name for this chip.

Our staff has noticed a strong beefy taste, with perhaps some bbq or spicy sauce as well. Very unusual taste - we recommend you mack one down and throw a name in the bag.

New Lays StaxJust The Facts

The staff here at the FPT is currently evaluating a can/cannister of the new Lays Stax chips. They are similar to Pringles in that they come in a stack, but different in that the container is plastic. We found this can to be lacking in volume and with a big empty portion when actual chip stack is measured against the container - similar to Pringles. We will be macking on these today and deciding wether or not we will be making the switch from Pringles to Stax.

We found the label to be odd in that it talks about how these chips are the ultimate way to recharge.

KFC Employee Training TapesOnline Vintage AudioFrom AprilWinchell.com

"You are responsible for making QSC happen!"

The lovely and talented radio/television voiceover celebrity April Winchell has made available some truly great training tapes from Kentucky Fried Chicken dating back to the 1970's. The FPT staff highly recommends you visit her link below and give these a listen. Below is a list of the offerings and the link.

April Winchell KFC Multimedia


"QSC" (831.1 K) Quality, Service and Cleanliness. Special bonus: unbelievably bad acting

Bacteria (607.4 K) Larry and Gary chat about Salmonella

Cleaning the Lobby and Kitchen (545 K) Tom can't stop to talk, he's got to clean those walls

Cleaning the Windows (650.7 K) "Ammonia? That went out with Ivy League Pants!

Extra Crispy (438.9 K) The wonders of science

Good Service (908.3 K) Think of your employees as a football team, and you're the mascot with the giant head

Internal Audits (1.2 MB) I think Dennis is hot for Andy

Manager Bob's Pep Talk (737.1 K) I'd like to knock Manager Bob's teeth down his throat

Original Recipe History (692.9 K) It's all about that 11th ingredient
Suggestive Selling (993.3 K) "If he really looks hungry, suggest some hot, delicious corn!"

Taking Orders (773.3 K) Just remember to push the corn

The Talkin' Chicken (588.6 K) Charlene the chicken wishes she was good enough to be killed and battered

Using the Star System (1.3 MB) Mr. Davis and Tony talk about "orientation"

April Winchell KFC Multimedia

McDonalds Chicken Snack WrapsPlease Add More Sauce!

The staff here at the FPT has been enjoying the 1.29 chicken snack wraps from McD's. They come crispy or grilled and with ranch or honey mustard dressing. The ongoing issue we have is that they do not give enough sauce and thus you have to have dressing on hand to get full flavor. Please help us to encourage them to change this for all to enjoy.

Where's FP?Can You Spot Him In This Photo?WINNER!

Our Editor is in the picture above, taken at a food court in a local mall. Please use the comments button to stake your take. Winner gets some food coupons.

Skep is the winner and will be contacted for the coupon prize!

Fried JalapenosFPT Foodstuff of The Month

Everyone here loves the stuffed and fried jalapenos. Cheddar or sour cream is up for debate as well as the establishment serving them. Management has arranged for a third neutral non-binding arbitration party to meet with all of us to come to some sort of agreement to disagree on the cheddar/sour cream debate. Please share your take below foos.

Chicago Bears NFL PlayerJail Time Food Fest

Our correspondant from Las Vegas recently sent us info regarding an NFL player who was doing a 60 day sentence and his snack purchases while incarcerated. Word on the street is that in addition to the 3 squares on the metal tray he also macked down:

Beef sticks 162
Honey buns 40
Summer sausage 35
Chips 35
Coffee 22
Fruit punch 10
Tuna fish 10
Jalapeno cheese spread 9
Tortillas 9
Refried beans 6
Cookies 6
Reese's cups 5
Lemonade 5
Swiss rolls 4
Dill pickles 3
Sugar 3
Cream 3
Oatmeal sandwiches 3
Bag of Jolly Ranchers 2
Butterfingers 2
Peanut butter bars 2
Cupcakes 1

While other forums are debating this as a socio-economic issue, we ate the FPT Times admire the man's healthy appetite and choose not to judge him.

Secret Burger Menu Re: In-n-Out Burger

We received word by fax today of an alleged "secret menu" for regional favorites the In-n-Out Burger. The info is as follows: The Hidden In-N-Out Burger (aka In and Out Burger) - The Most Accurate Secret Menu In-N-Out Burger has a secret unpublished menu for insiders who are In-The-Know. Next time you're at In-N-Out (i.e. tomorrow . . . or maybe tonight), order a bag of these off-the-menu specials: "3-by-3" = three meat patties and three slices of cheese. "4-by-4" = four meat patties and four slices of cheese. "2-by-4" = two meat patties and four slices of cheese. *Note: You can get a burger with as many meat patties or cheese slices as you want. Just tell the In-N-Out Burger cashier how many meat patties and how much cheese you want and that is what you'll get! For instance, if you want 6 pieces of meat and 10 pieces of cheese tell them you want a "6-by-10." "Double Meat" = like a Double Double without cheese. "3 by Meat" = three meat patties and no cheese. "Animal Style" = the meat is cooked and fried with mustard and then pickles are added, extra spread and grilled onions are added. "Animal Style Fries" = fries with cheese, spread, grilled onions and pickles (if you ask for them). "Protein Style" = for all you low-carbohydrate dieters, this is a burger with no bun (wrapped in lettuce). "Flying Dutchman" = two meat patties, two slices of melted cheese and nothing else - not even a bun! Fries "Well-Done" = extra crispy fries . . . even better than the regular! Fries "Light" = opposite of fries well-done, more raw than most people like 'em "Grilled Cheese" = no meat, just melted cheese, tomato, lettuce and spread on a bun. "Veggie Burger" = burger without the patty or cheese. Sometimes we call this the "Wish Burger." "Neapolitan" Shake = strawberry, vanilla and chocolate blended together.

KFC "Biscuit Bowls"?

KFC's latest offering has us scratching our heads here at the FPT Times test kitchen. While FP polished off several of the bowls in a short time, he passed out right after and has not awakened yet. We can assume by the pace of his consumption that the food was indeed good, but then again all but rancid meals will disappear in his presence. Other volunteers were put off by the fact that the cheese seemed un-meltable. Decide for yourself, as coupons for this new offering are plentiful in sunday papers.

Foodstuffs & Fisticuffs

Our Hollywood correspondant checked in this weekend with a sordid tale of flying foodstuffs and angry celebrities. We have not confirmed this as of yet, but we have heard thangs about a certain celebrity throwing baked beans this past weekend at photographers/papparazzi.

When we know exactly what went down there will be more info posted.

California Proposition 651986 State Law Requires:Better Health Info DisclosureKFC Makes First Move

Proposition 65 in California, requires businesses to provide "clear and reasonable" warnings when their food being served contains any possible ingredients that cause health concerns. Currently the state is taking around 10 fast food chains to court to force them to comply with this law in a more conspicious manner than is being done at the moment.

Kentucky Fried Chicken has made a move on its own and will tell customers in print "Cooked potatoes that have been browned, such as French fries, baked potatoes and potato chips, contain acrylamide, a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer…. It is created in fried and baked potatoes made by all restaurants, by other companies, and even when you bake or fry potatoes at home."

More on this as it comes down.

The Deceiving Pringles CanCan You Please Define Full

A long time reader of the FPT told us about this, so we went and bought a can to see it for ourselves. Does that can look full to you? We here at the Fat Pride Times are disappointed but we remain vigilant and on guard for things such as this. The pictures above are of a 'just opened' can - insides untouched by us (before photos).

Reader Submission: Mystery Meat Photo

As we were backing up our database we came across an email we somehow missed when originally sent. Pictured above is the image attachment that was in this email - it was sent anonymous and we are asking for help in identifying it.

$75,000 Paid For AGold Rock Fish In China

Considered a symbol of luck, a restaurant in China paid a record amount for a huge Rockfish which they will display in their restaurant for diners to view as it is ordered, fileted and served. A plate will cost app. 300 US dollars. If you do the math, it actually cost them 1200 US Dollars for each portion they serve.

Whole Bird Theory:New InterpretationOf Chicken Meals

One of our west coast beach drifter correspondants sent us the following whole bird insights:

The pictures you see document a whole bird slow baked, stuffed with macaroni and cheese. This is a dish that goes back to my childhood, I was always a fussy eater. So I started stuffing cornish hens with mac-n-cheese. Nowadays it has evolved to a whole chicken. I use the family style mac-n-cheese with the cheese sauce pouch, as there is too much room for error when using a type that has the powder mix. Prepare the mac-n-cheese a bit al-dente, or slightly less than fully cooked.

I choose to elevate the open side of the bird, so that the juices collect in the breast portions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rub the surface of the buird with olive oil, then sprinkle generously with season salt. Bake for 45 minutes with a loose foil tent over the whole thing. At 45 minutes, re-do the olive oil and season salt. Insert meat thermometer in thickest portion of breast, right to the bone. This will roast more slowly than a chicken normally prepared in the old school of thought.

Ohio Amish to ChallengeWorld's Biggest BuffetRecord Of 510 Dishes

The foodstuffs community is abuzz with buffet chatter as the Ohio Amish community plan to host a charity buffet today (March 24, 2007) that will break the established record of a 510 dish buffet set at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas last year. Word on the street is that the Amish are aiming for 600 unique dishes and there will be representatives from Guiness World Records on site to verify the count.

Our staff is rooting for a new world record and results will be posted as soon as the news comes in to our test kitchens.

Foodstuffs Facts:Never Hold Food Near A Toilet Bowl

An anonymous reader sent in this photo - which must be explained to understand. The backstory is that this man was standing in front of bowl, zipping down the trousers, with newspaper and an individually wrapped ice cream sandwich tucked under his arm. Took just one shimmy and the ice cream flew right into the toilet bowl - air sealed or not we here deem this now unedible. We all feel his pain.

Foodstuff Finance Forum:Investing in Cattle &The Beef Industry

Our research staff has noted to us a website - CattleNetwork.com - that is the ultimate reference and information source for the 'Cattle Market'. You will find info on cattle marketing, cattle investment risk management, beef associations and much more. The Cattle Quiz asks you how many cattle are slaughtered each day and other interesting topics. Learn about ear-tags for livestock or genetic selection discourse.

CattleNetwork.Com

Economics Forum:St. Patrick's Day,Feed Corn &The Price of Beef

The recent spike in the wholesale prices for corn, seemingly fueled by the new market and demand for ethanol fuel. We have heard that it has corn prices are have flirted with doubling in just the recent past months. The National Chicken Council testified before the US Congress last week warning that beef and other foodstuffs will feel a ripple effect from this.

Be prepared to toss out a few more duckets this year when making that big shank of corned beef and cabbage.

New York City:Taco Bell - KFC LocationVideo of Rats Force Closure

One day after passing a city health department inspection, video footage was taken showing a dozen rats scampering across this locations floors. Reporters who were at the restaurant early in the AM watched as the rodents jumped around and dragged food across the floors. Geoffrey Cowley, a health department spokesman said "It doesn't look like the inspection that was done Thursday met our standards, I don't want to prejudge that. We're concerned, and we're going to carefully re-evaluate that inspection." Link to the video footage is below:

RATS GONE WILD

Foodstuffs Legal Forum:Man Suing Over ParalysisBlames Uncooked Chicken

This story from Florida just came in from our legal foodstuffs staffer. A man in Tampa, Florida has retained an attorney and is pursuing a case against Moe's Southwest Grill in Land O' Lakes. His attorney is arguing that the chicken burrito his client ate caused him immediate sickness and then led to a bacterial infection that has spread into his nerves. This is all the info we have at the moment, however check back for more as it comes in to The FPT.

Welcome to McDonald's!Can I take your order please?An Inside Look At A ShiftBehind The Company Counter

A member of our web research team found an excellent webpage written by an employee who worked for McDonalds. Rather than ramble on about it, we simply encourage you to take a look. The page is a good read and is linked below.

Welcome To McDonald's, May I Take Your Order Please?

DEVELOPING STORY:McDonalds is bringing backthe Shamrock Shakes

We received a rambling email message today from one of our correspondants - which is shown below:

I have an inside source that is telling me that Mc Donalds is bring back the Shamrock Shakes. Nothing confirmed yet, but I found this page - http://www.tiktok.org/shamrock/

called corporate office - they CONFIRMED - not in all locations yet
but "up north" they are available - this is a hot item - stop the presses

More info as it comes in

Remember:The Red Onion

Short reminder to you all to remember to always buy a red onion every time you hit the grocery store. Red onions truly are excellent with almost everything. Our staff favorites are: on pizza, salads, burgers and soups. You get a lot of flavor for under a buck with the red onion.

Sci-Fi Channel Show FeaturesBeast Who Must FeastOn Liposuction Leftovers

A fairly new show on the Sci-Fi Channel called "Special Unit 2" recently ran an episode that was an interesting show about a monster that grew out of human liposuction operations waste. Once the monster established itself it craved human for chow - specifically their fatty tissues. Thus making those of the largess its favorite meal. little creepy - sends a little shiver down every one who is of the pride.

The Fat Pride TimesHas Gone Global

The Fat Pride Times describes itself as an international thinktank, and we have the web statistics in to document this. We have been mocked regarding this statement and are pleased to have the documentation to show this. The list below reads across as: Site Visitor Country - Unique Hits - Percent of total unique hits.

United States -- 5645 -- 85.79%

Canada -- 201 -- 3.05%

Greece -- 157 -- 2.39%

New Zealand -- 142 -- 2.16%

United Kingdom -- 131 -- 1.99%

Australia -- 44 -- 0.67%

France -- 19 -- 0.29%

Netherlands -- 19 -- 0.29%

Italy -- 17 -- 0.26%

Germany -- 16 -- 0.24%

Argentina -- 14 -- 0.21%

Spain -- 13 -- 0.20%

India -- 12 -- 0.18%

Mexico -- 9 -- 0.14%

Turkey -- 8 -- 0.12%

Belgium -- 8 -- 0.12%

Denmark -- 8 -- 0.12%

Singapore -- 8 -- 0.12%

Sweden -- 7 -- 0.11%

Ireland -- 7 -- 0.11%

Korea, Republic of -- 7 --0.11%

Thailand -- 7 -- 0.11%

Japan -- 6 -- 0.09%

Philippines -- 6 -- 0.09%

South Africa -- 6 -- 0.09%

Portugal -- 5 -- 0.08%

Norway -- 5 -- 0.08%

Brazil -- 5 -- 0.08%

Egypt -- 1 -- 0.02%

Unknown -- 1 -- 0.02%

Venezuela -- 1 -- 0.02%

Colombia -- 1 -- 0.02%

Poland -- 1 -- 0.02%

Satellite Provider -- 1 -- 0.02%

Czech Republic -- 1 -- 0.02%

Maldives -- 1 -- 0.02%

Cote D'Ivoire -- 1 -- 0.02%

Iran, Islamic Republic of -- 1 -- 0.02%

Croatia -- 1 -- 0.02%

Austria -- 1 -- 0.02%

Panama -- 1 -- 0.02%

Cyprus -- 1 -- 0.02%

Iceland -- 1 -- 0.02%

Bermuda -- 1 -- 0.02%

Indonesia -- 1 -- 0.02%

Pakistan -- 1 -- 0.02%