Matt Nieto now serving good old-fashioned burgers
Matt Nieto knows full well that there has to be life after basketball. "Alam ko na hindi pangmatagalan ang basketball because of age or injury kaya as early as now, I try to see what other ventures I could do besides basketball," he shared. "Para after ng basketball career ko, meron pa rin akong other sources of income and hindi lang ako nakadepende sa basketball." And with that, the three-time champion with Ateneo de Manila University is already putting his degree in management economics to good use. "Now that I have graduated, I try to apply all that I learned in Ateneo here in the real world," he said. Enter 1975 Old Fashioned Burgers - Nieto's brand new business serving up burgers cooked by way of a 45-year-old family recipe. While the family recipe had been there since, well, 1975, the opportunity to share it with others didn't present itself until a month ago. "My friend, Kim Nadal, and I have been playing with the idea of putting up a business even before the pandemic started. Then Kim found out his co-worker's son, JM Cancio, was into cooking and the two of them just talked one night all the way until dawn," he shared. From there, "Matty Ice" and Nadal met up with Cancio and the three of them hit if off from the get-go. "The proposal by JM looked promising so it was a yes for us. 'Di nagtagal, we started trying to perfect the old-fashioned patties using a secret recipe from JM's family," he said. For Nieto, the fact that he is making sure a family recipe lives on was the clincher for him to put his full faith on the busines. "That's really what we want to see here - the story of burgers that were first loved by the children and grandchildren of a family in Marikina back in 1970s," he shared. He then continued, "And I'm sure those burgers will mean much to countless customers who long for classic, simple, old-fashioned burgers that will bring them back to a good, old time." Indeed, 1975 Old Fashioned Burgers livew up to its name in each and every order. "The name says it all. Yan kasi yung taon na nabili ng lola (ni JM) yung panghulma ng burger which is what we still use to mold our patties so you can be sure that the burger is a timeless classic prepared with wisdom spanning 45 years." Make no mistake, though, the 23-year-old is not trading in his basketball jersey for chef's uniform anytime soon. As he put it, "My priority is still to be the best player I can be to help Gilas and NLEX." For now, though, all those who want to try out 1975 Old-Fashioned Burgers could let them live up to their name - after all, Nieto guarantees they always and always would. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Holy Week 2024: A peek into 7 Metro Cebu churches for Visita Iglesia
The Lenten Season is also about reflection and prayer about the passion of Christ. There are days to fast and during the Holy Week on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the Catholic faithful usually practice the Visita Iglesia or the tradition to visit 7 or 14 churches, where they pray and reflect and do.....»»
Spy Wednesday
What significant event took place on the Wednesday of the Holy Week? If Maundy Thursday was all about the Last Supper, the betrayal of Jesus, etc. and Good Friday was all about the kangaroo trial, torture and crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ and Easter Sunday was the glorious resurrection of our Lord, what, I wondered, happened on the Wednesday before......»»
Greenwich Inspires Filipinos to Create More Authentic Meaningful Connections, Launches ‘Sarap to Feel G’ Campaign
Greenwich, one of the country’s leading homegrown pizza and pasta makers, is embarking on a massive campaign this year to inspire millions of Filipinos to create more genuine, meaningful connections with each other. The campaign is anchored on having more experiences inspired by authenticity and real “feel-good” togetherness made possible by incredible, great-tasting food. This […].....»»
Sarah Geronimo says relationship with Mommy Divine now okay
Kapamilya singer Sarah Geronimo revealed that she and her mother Divine are now in good terms. .....»»
Hamas tells mediators it will stick to original position on ceasefire
Hamas earlier presents a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the United States in mid-March that includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences.....»»
MMDA suspends number coding scheme on March 28, 29
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will be temporarily lifting its number coding scheme on March 28 (Maundy Thursday) and March 29 (Good Friday), which were earlier declared as regular holidays......»»
The real pasaways
The local internet came down hard last week on an anonymous teacher who was caught on livestream giving her students a scorching tongue-lashing for what she claimed was their lack of respect and discipline. Almost hysterical, Teacher X called them good-for-nothings without a future. Predictably, netizens deplored her derogatory language, which they equated with child abuse, and called on the Department of Education to investigate the incident and impose some disciplinary measure on the teacher concerned......»»
Cameron Diaz, rocker Benji Madden welcome baby no. 2
Cameron Diaz and Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden now have a son in addition to a daughter as they announced his birth on Instagram on Saturday. .....»»
Visita Iglesia 2024: Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The tradition of visiting seven to 14 churches during Holy Week is known as the Visita Iglesia. It is one of the religious and cultural practices among Catholics in the Philippines, where every Maundy Thursday to Good Friday, they participate in a pilgrimage to seven churches to dedicate time to prayer.....»»
TV5 is beefing up summer with ‘Barangay Singko’
It’s good to note that the local television sphere has been busy with yet again new noontime shakeups......»»
Heads should roll over Chinese recruitment in PCG – lawmaker
Whether in good faith or not, recruiting Chinese nationals into the Philippine Coast Guard should make the concerned government officials “accountable” even if the foreigners were just members of an auxiliary group, a lawmaker said yesterday......»»
LIST: Mall hours for 2024 Holy Week
Several malls and shopping establishments will have adjusted operating hours during certain days in the Holy Week but will be closed during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. .....»»
EDITORIAL — A different onion crisis
During the 2022 Christmas holidays, Filipinos reeled from the eye-watering prices of red onions, which surged to over P700 a kilo, with no white onions to be had for onion rings, burgers and bistek......»»
Burgers most ordered Grab food in 2023
Filipinos lessened their orders for sweet delicacies in favor of savory items as fast food staples dominated the list of most purchased products on GrabFood in the Philippines last year......»»
The joy of eating
There is almost always a restaurant opening in the metropolis — either to excite the taste buds or simply elevate the Filipino dining experience. Yes, from Filipino dishes to American-Italian fare and specialty steakhouse, there will always be something for everyone to discover, relish and enjoy. LOCAVORE AT ESTANCIA MALL A cozy, contemporary space ensconced inside the Estancia Mall in Pasig City, Locavore is given true Filipino touches with its warm woods, rattan chairs, rustic pendant lights and an expansive glass window that provides an exceptional view of the surrounding environs. [caption id="attachment_192645" align="aligncenter" width="771"] OLIVE Garden’s Herb Roasted Chicken.[/caption] Opened last May, Locavore at Estancia Mall is the seventh branch of the restaurant, which catapulted to prominence in the culinary arena in 2014 after it opened its first branch at Brixton Barrio Kapitolyo, also in Pasig City. It then opened at Forbestown in Taguig City, Valero Street in Makati City, S’Maison in Pasay City, Eastwood Mall in Quezon City and SM City Bacoor. With the talented chef Mikel Zaguirre and his team at the helm, Locavore takes the homey heartwarming flavors of Filipino cooking gives a more sophisticated interpretation. And with the newly opened branch comes an expanded menu and new dishes exclusively in the Estancia outlet. For starters, have the crisp BBM or Bagnet, Buro and Mustasa — a platter filled with thinly sliced, crispy pork bagnet chips that you wrap in mustasa leaves (Samgyup style) seasoned with burong (pickled) hipon and burong mangga with gochugaru (Korean chili flakes). Follow it up with Bistek Pintxos, toasted bread decked with bistek-style beef tenderloin, grilled quesong puti, truffle aioli and red onions. [caption id="attachment_192646" align="aligncenter" width="525"] OLIVE Garden’s Purple White Cocktail.[/caption] “The new dishes are presented on slate plates because they are mostly bar chows,” says Alejandro Pahan Jr., operations manager. “That’s our new concept. We were thinking of madaling kainin (easy to eat) and something fun. Because samgyup is trending, we came up with pintxos.” The resto also has Bulalo Pintxos, roasted bone marrow with pickled labanos and pares jam; Yakitori Platter, grilled skewered chicken wings, chicken thigh meat, gizzard and liver served with annatto aioli, tocino butter, miso butter and spiced suka; Bagnet Chips, housemade bagnet chips served with spiced vinegar; and Inasalitos, inasal chicken with salsa, labuyo aioli served in lumpia taco shell. All these dishes are paired with seven new signature cocktail drinks, crafted by its in-house mixologist. Pahan says the new refreshing drinks heavily relies on the food being served at the restaurant. They complement the taste of the meals. Locavore serves alcohol and spirits. The drinks include Hardin, a hybrid between gin tonic and Tom Collins, with tonic water and botanicals and floral notes like blue pea and elderflower (which has a similar taste notes of lychee), garnished with rosemary and black pepper; Kinilig, a combo of Disaronno amaretto, honey, lemon juice and rum, with rice paper art design on top; Diwata, a blend of Bombay Sapphire gin with Giffard Lychee liqueur, sugar syrup and lemon juice, dressed with basil sprig and forget me not flower; and Antibayotiko, a whiskey-based mix of bourbon, ginger liqueur, honey and lemon juice. Locavore at Estancia Mall has a seating capacity of 120 people and targets bar goers in the area. It’s open until 1 a.m. from Wednesday to Saturday. The rest of the week, it follows the mall hours. OLIVE GARDEN AT THE VERVE A visit to the newly opened third branch of Olive Garden at The Verve in BGC, Taguig City, is a journey of discovery into a world of delicious and affordable pasta, bread, salad, chicken and pizza sensibilities. The menu is broad and touches base with all the departments of classic Italian-American fare. Upon arrival, diners are swiftly delivered a basket of freshly baked breadsticks, which are widely popular in all 900 Olive Garden stores all over the world, including the Philippines. They are buttery, a bit garlicky, moist and chewy. The unlimited breadsticks, including the never-ending soups and salads, come free with every order of an entrée. What a treat! [caption id="attachment_192647" align="aligncenter" width="525"] LOCAVORE’S BBM (Bagnet, Buro, Mustasa).[/caption] The refreshing salad is a merry mix of healthy greens, tomatoes and olives with a light house dressing, while the soup selection includes Pasta E Fagioli, Zuppa Toscana, Minestrone and Chicken & Gnocchi. Olive Garden first opened at the Mall of Asia on 12 September 2022 and at Glorietta 3 in Makati City on 9 January 2023. “It is, more or less, the same menu that we have for our first branch in MOA and also the same menu all over the United States,” Rechele Tiongson, chief operating officer of The Bistro Group, the company responsible for bringing in Olive Garden which was founded in 1982 in Orlando, Florida. “We never changed anything aside from modifying some of the portions that would fit the Filipino market, but the taste and flavor are the same. We use the finest ingredients like imported cheeses.” She adds: “Just to be clear, we did not reduce the portions but we introduce the smaller ones like solo version for those will smaller appetites. The big portions remain the same.” Browsing the menu uncovers more inviting dishes, such as the signature item, Tour of Italy (a huge platter of everything good — Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico and Fettucino Alfredo pasta), Amazing Alfredos (made from scratch using imported cheeses, not just heavy cream) and an Italian classic, Shrimp Scampi. Just recently, four new dishes were introduced — Mediterranean Chicken, Chicken Tuscany, Roasted Herb Chicken and Italian Braised Short Ribs, all served with a choice of mashed potato or steamed rice. “We are happy with the response of the public to Olive Garden,” shares Tiongson. “It was extremely unexpected when we first opened in MOA. We were busy for the next six months of the restaurant. The queue was really long. People had to wait for 30 to 45 minutes, which we felt bad for our customers, but that was how they responded to the first opening of Olive Garden in the Philippines.” Olive Garden’s vibe is casual, light and bright yet it is warm and comforting with olive green accents. The design of the interiors is an allusion to the Italian countryside through earth tones and natural textures. It can accommodate 150 people. Olive Garden at The Verve in BGC is open from Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. [caption id="attachment_192648" align="aligncenter" width="525"] LOCAVORE’S Sizzling Sinigang.[/caption] ASTON’S SPECIALITIES AT ARCOVIA Tron Ng, Astons business development executive based in Singapore, flew to Manila last, 22 September, in time for the opening of the third branch of Astons Specialities, a Singapore-based restaurant chain renowned for serving affordable steaks and Western cuisine, at Arcovia City in Pasig City. Astons is a casual steakhouse which first opened in the Philippines last year on the 4/F of Mega Atrium in SM Megamall. The second branch was at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City early this year. Silver Lush Food Corporation brought in the Singapore brand to satisfy the cravings of steak lovers and those who enjoy more seafood, chicken, sausages, burgers and pasta dishes. “This is our third outlet in the Philippines in a span of 16 months,” says Ng. “We have been around since 2005 when it was founded by Aston Soon. We started as a very small coffeeshop in Singapore. Eventually, we managed to draw a lot of attention because we offer quality food at affordable prices.” He adds: “Within a year, we opened our own restaurant and we continue to grow and expand. We have introduced many different brands under Astons and we have over 40 restaurants only in Singapore alone.” [caption id="attachment_192649" align="aligncenter" width="525"] OLIVE Garden Pasta Twirl. (From left) Zachary Reams of Darden Int’l Learning and Development partner; Marc Buencamino, Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation operations director; RC Tiongson, The Bistro Group chief operating officer; Lourdes Reyes, FBDC chief financial officer; and Lisa Ronquillo-Along, The Bistro Group chief marketing officer.[/caption] Aside from the Philippines, Aston Specialities can also be found in Myanmar and Malaysia. It was also recognized by the AsiaOne’s People Choice Awards and Asian Enterprise Brand Awards for its service and offerings. “I believe Astons will do well in the Philippines because the locals lean more on western food,” Ng says. Of course, the piece de resistance of Astons revolves around its steaks and meat, as it should be. The different cuts of meat from prime sirloin and New York strip to prime ribeye steak do not disappoint. Each has wonderful marbling with the juiciness of the meat, coating your tongue with every bite. The perfect grill marks immediately excite one’s appetite and invite you to dig in with your own side dishes — potatoes (baked, mashed, wedges or fries), Mexican nachos (chicken or beef) or Mac & Cheese. Other items on the menu are also a treat, such as Surf & Turf and Chargrilled Salmon Fillet, Grilled Porkchops and Honey Bourbon Ribs. Cocktail drinks are also aplenty — Piña Colada, Tequila Sunrise, Daiquiri, Orange Margarita and Sangria, to name some. With its industrial chandelier, brick accents and dark wood touches, the place takes on the air of an upscale roadhouse, but softened by the muted walls and expansive glass windows. Astons Specialities at Arcovia City is open daily, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. All told, a trip to any of these newly opened restaurants guarantees a truly gratifying dining experience. The post The joy of eating appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New offers from food faves
Who says you can’t get anything new from the old favorites? Indulge your appetites and enjoy a culinary symposium with new offers we discovered recently. Whether you prefer donuts or chicken, there’s something for everyone here. Power donuts Mister Donut’s Power Donuts as launched its Power Donuts. These irresistible snacks come in two variants — Malty Choco and Beary Milk. Malty Choco is a yeast-raised tart donut coated with Milo streusel, filled with Milo whipped cream filling, and topped with Milo Angel IcingBeary Milk, meanwhile, is a yeast-raised tart donut coated with milky streusel, filled with whipped cream filling and topped with Angel Icing. Each tempting product is sold in all Mister Donut outlets nationwide at P37 starting on 19 June 19. [caption id="attachment_169229" align="aligncenter" width="1695"] photograph courtesy of KFC[/caption] Loaded sandwich KFC, the home of the world’s most popular fried chicken, is kicking off August with the most craveable snack, KFC’s NEW Krispy Loaded Sandwich. It is a flavorful sandwich with classic non-spicy crispy chicken fillet, cheese, lettuce and bacon strips topped with the signature KFC GravynnaiseTM dressing, which is available in the following formats: Krispy Loaded Sandwich Ala Carte at P160. Krispy Loaded Sandwich Combo (Krispy Loaded Sandwich + Regular Fries + Regular Drink) at P220, or Krispy Loaded Sandwich Fully Loaded Meal (Krispy Loaded Sandwich + 1pc piece Original Recipe/Hot & Crispy Chicken with rice and gravy + Regular Coke) at P285. [caption id="attachment_169232" align="aligncenter" width="657"] photograph courtesy of BK cafe[/caption] Go-to cup of coffee Starting at just P49, BK CAFÉ offers an incredible range of hot & iced coffee options. Choose from any of their 3 great iced coffee flavors: Iced Sweet Black, Iced Vanilla, and Iced Mocha. Have it your way, and pair your choice of coffee with any of our signature flame-grilled beef burgers, breakfast, and rice meals. It’s a match-made in flavor heaven, enhancing every bite with the cool, invigorating taste of these delectable beverages. Coming from the launch of BK CAFÉ, Burger King has also rebranded its Joe Coffee as Roast Coffee, assuring customers that the same exceptional taste they know and love remains unchanged. The BK CAFÉ line is designed to be affordable while maintaining its exceptional quality and flavor sure to satisfy the coffee cravings of every Filipino. BK CAFÉ will be a mainstay feature on Burger King’s menu nationwide. Whether dining in going through the drive-thru, choosing take-out, or opting for delivery, BK CAFÉ ensures that your coffee cravings are satisfied whenever and wherever you desire. [caption id="attachment_169231" align="aligncenter" width="1500"] Photograph courtesy of Red Ribbon[/caption] Delicious slices Make your everyday feel more special with a slice of Red Ribbon’s brand-new Classic White Bread. Enjoy the soft texture and delicious flavor that add a new twist to a household staple. Whether it’s for a hefty breakfast or a quick snack, each slice of Classic White Bread is the perfect pair to your favorite spreads and toppings or with your favorite flavored drink. Available at select Red Ribbon stores in Luzon, prices start at P55 for a half loaf and P89 for a full loaf. The post New offers from food faves appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Man’s measure
Only because my barber — not Kuwatog, mind you — would not stop talking about it between snips here and there — I got an earful on a burning issue of the day. That the raging debate escaped someone supposedly with a nose for news betrayed the arena where people have been bashing one another over it. Where else, but on social media. If only to ensure that he was wide awake as he gingerly passed the razor over my nape and sideburns (sideburns, really?), I interjected as needed to break his monologue. Such is the lesson every man should learn early in life, aside from how to spit-shine his shoes. Yes, a man is judged by the state of his footwear — and measured too by his shoe size. LOL. A baseless correlation, right, Kuwatog? But back to the lesson. That lesson is that if there’s one person a man should be able to trust, it’s none other than his barber. In his hands, a man could rest assured of catching some shut-eye and still getting up from the chair. Sweeney Todd, I am going nowhere near your bloody shop. Neither am I going to stick my neck out for you nor your delectation. My barber talked — no, make that pontificated — on how wrong it was for Mimiyawn (or Mumu-yun or Mamasan, or whatever) to say that one should not date someone who had no money, lest she end up dirt poor for life, trapped with a loser. I didn’t know the context of that influencer’s gab, and I was just too sleepy or lazy, or both, to pass judgment either way — pro or against. But surmise I did that the one being admonished was poor too. For if you’re rich and you swim outside your gilded “haves” pond, you being a pricey or prized Lapu-lapu taking a chance with a have-not “tilapia” might just have a happy ending, after all. Think of it like Mozart’s Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star: They may run through a gamut of variations, but whether the rudimentary first, the jazzy fifth, or the nearly macabre sixth, they all, nonetheless, sizzle and sparkle. Truly, a mere variation of women predisposed to having diamonds as their best friend — of marrying a 4-EME man: Matandang mayaman madaling mamatay (an old rich man with one foot in the grave). ‘Tis a well-told story, the love-triangle plot of the musical Fiddler on the Roof: Of the maiden Hodel being set up to marry Lazar Wolf, the town’s rich butcher old enough to be her dad, Tevye (played by Topol in the movie adaptation). You reading this, go ahead if you would, sing “Traditions” or “If I Were a Rich Man” ala Topol, or, more in line with the discussion, Hodel’s “Matchmaker, matchmaker,” especially the meaty: Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Plan me no plans I’m in no rush Maybe I’ve learned Playing with matches A girl can get burned So, bring me no ring Groom me no groom Find me no find Catch me no catch Unless he’s a matchless match. Hodel, of course, followed her heart’s dictates and ended up marrying the student from Kiev, Perchik, but amid the Russian Revolution of the 1900s, we were left hanging, asking whatever happened to the young lovers. My wife, she married into wealth, after biting into the ruse during a date that she had to pay for the burgers and fries because I left my ATM card at home. Told and retold as a funny cautionary tale, my daughters never ceased to find hilarious the “secret” that there was no ATM card to speak of at the time. My old paper was taking my newspaperman’s pay from the “petty cash” box, so how could there be an ATM? Haha. My wife, she married into wealth. Not wealth in terms of pesos, but a wealth of experiences in detaching one’s happiness from what’s in your pocket or wallet. Relax, I’m still working on it, but in my own sweet time. The post Man’s measure appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Is salt bad for you?
Salt, in the form of sodium chloride, is a necessary mineral in the body. It is also known as an electrolyte, and it helps with the proper functioning of the body and the control of body fluids and blood pressure. When there is an excess of sodium in the body this can cause an imbalance in body fluids. Too much sodium attracts water, and this increase of blood volume in the body can lead to an increase in blood pressure. This in turn makes the heart work harder to pump against the higher force of blood flow in the body. The kidneys also have to work harder to get rid of the excess fluid. In the long term, high sodium levels can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, brain and bones. Signs and symptoms of taking too much sodium include fatigue, headache, elevated blood pressure, feeling excessively thirsty, bloating, swelling of the hands and feet, and insomnia. It is recommended to consume about 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day, and to not exceed 2,300 miligrams a day — the amount of sodium in one teaspoon of fine iodized salt. There is a minimal difference in the amount of sodium per teaspoon of other forms (sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, black salt) and preparations (coarse vs. fine). These different salts are chosen more for flavor than sodium content. Most natural and unprocessed foods are low in sodium and these include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, fresh meats and dairy foods. Even salt added to cooking or while eating at the table do not contribute much, around 150 to milligrams of salt. Most of the salt in our diets comes from processed and commercially prepared foods. The top sources of sodium come from fast foods like pizza, sandwiches and burgers, cheese, cold cuts and cured meats, crackers, canned soups and meats, and savory snacks like chips, pretzels and popcorn. Some foods high in sodium may not even taste salty, such as breakfast cereals and bread. [caption id="attachment_151713" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of unsplash/ shourav-sheikh | ALL essential pizza ingredients contain salt.[/caption] How can you cut down on your sodium intake? Remember that you still need sodium for your body to function properly and that you don’t have to completely eliminate sodium from your diet. You can still enjoy sodium-rich foods but in smaller amounts. You can also use salt substitutes, including citrus flavorings, herbs and spices. Preparing your own meals can help cut down on sodium content. Restaurant and fast food meals tend to contain more sodium. If eating out, ask for low sodium or reduced sodium options. Limit the use of sauces, mixes and instant products, such as cup noodles. Rinse canned food if possible and throw away the brine in the can. Read nutrition labels and pay attention to the amount of sodium present per serving. Be careful with foods labeled as “low sodium” as they can still contain a fair amount of salt. Be wary as well of sodium-free substitutes which do not contain sodium but are made of potassium chloride or potassium salt. This can taste bitter when heated, so it is not recommended for use in cooking. Potassium salts might not be safe for patients with kidney problems or taking certain blood pressure medications. Check with your doctor first to see if sodium-free substitutes are right for you. Combat salt cravings by consistently cutting down on your sodium intake. It can take about six to eight weeks for you to get used to it, but once you are used to less sodium, you may find it difficult to eat more than a few potato chips because they taste too salty. [caption id="attachment_151712" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of unsplash/patrick perkins | CHIPS are high in sodium.[/caption] The post Is salt bad for you? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US approves lab-grown chicken for sale
The United States has granted its first ever approvals to two companies to sell chicken grown directly from animal cells, becoming only the second country to allow lab-grown meat to be offered to consumers. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved food safety systems at facilities of Upside Foods and Good Meat, a spokesperson for the agency told AFP Wednesday, with the companies adding the products would be available soon at select restaurants. Both Upside Foods and Good Meat were cleared on safety grounds by the Food and Drug Administration in November, and the USDA last week reviewed and approved their product labels to ensure they were not misleading. "This approval will fundamentally change how meat makes it to our table," said Uma Valeti, CEO and founder of Upside Foods, in a statement. "It's a giant step forward towards a more sustainable future -- one that preserves choice and life." Josh Tetrick, CEO of Good Meat, the cell-cultured food division of Eat Just, added its "cultivated meat" was now "approved to sell to consumers in the world's largest economy." Producing the meat in large, high-quality volumes is expensive. But, following approval, Upside processed its first order, placed by three-Michelin-star Chef Dominique Crenn's restaurant Bar Crenn in San Francisco. Good Meat, meanwhile, started production of its first batch that will be sold to celebrity chef and philanthropist Jose Andres. Andres will sell the product at a yet-to-be-revealed restaurant in the capital Washington. Several start-ups are aiming to produce the so-called lab-grown meat, which would allow humans to consume animal protein without the associated environmental harms of farming or animal suffering. The products differ from plant-based substitutes such as soy burgers that mimic the texture and flavor of meat but do not contain any animal protein. Eat Just was the first to receive authorization to make artificial meat, in Singapore in 2020. While succeeding in the general lab-meat market has proven complicated, some companies have set their sights on pet food, whose consumers are less picky. Bond Pet Foods, a Colorado start-up, is creating animal protein from a microbial fermentation process to feed dogs. - Eco-friendly? Perhaps not - Lab-grown meat involves first harvesting cells from a living animal or a fertilized egg, to establish a cell bank that can be kept for decades in deep freeze. They are then cultivated in steel tanks where they are fed nutrients similar to what animals would eat. After several weeks, the result product is "harvested" from the tank and molded into shapes, such as chicken filet or satay. While lab-grown meat has been billed as an environmentally friendly alternative, researchers from the University of California, Davis pushed back against this assumption in a study out last month, which hasn't yet been peer reviewed. They found cultivated meat's environmental impact is likely to be "orders of magnitude" higher -- at least in the case of beef, based on production methods. This is because of the energy required and greenhouse gasses emitted across all stages of production. One of the most significant factors is the use of "purified growth media" or the ingredients used to help animal cells multiply, in methods similar to those used by biotechnology firms to make pharmaceuticals. "If companies are having to purify growth media to pharmaceutical levels, it uses more resources, which then increases global warming potential," said lead author Derrick Risner. A widely reported 2022 survey of 2,000 US adults by the nonprofit Farm Forward found two-thirds said they would eat cultivated-meat products. ia/bgs © Agence France-Presse The post US approves lab-grown chicken for sale appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
It’s love at first ‘shack’
All’s in bloom this summer as Shake Shack brings made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun milkshakes, house-made lemonades, beer, wine and more to hungry fans in Quezon City when it recently opened at SM North Edsa. Shake Shack brings in the beauty of the outdoors with its in-Shack artwork created by the local graphic designer and illustrator Raxenne Maniquiz. The artist behind Shack SM North’s vibrant hoarding, Maniquiz paints a statement mural piece on the Shack’s facade punctuated by the playful Shack icons, setting a fun background for selfies. Inside the Shack, she visually translates her Philippine flora and fauna piece into 73 polygon diagrams spanning the outlet’s long dining space, providing pops of color in the interiors natural finish. Treat for a cause There are a wide range of desserts with interesting names available in Shack SM North. The Berry Bituin concrete, a playful take on Quezon City’s City of Stars moniker and the Filipino word for star (bituin), combines sweet and tart featuring vanilla frozen custard blended with strawberry sauce and Auro chocolate chunks, topped with freeze-dried strawberries. Shine with delight with the popular Apple Pie Oh My concrete, a vanilla frozen custard blended with Tilde Bakery and Kitchen’s French Apple Pie. As part of its mission to Stand for Something Good, Shake Shack is committed to supporting its local communities and sourcing real, premium ingredients. Five percent of sales from any Apple Pie Oh My concrete will support Centex, Ayala Foundation’s holistic education program that promotes student parent and teacher development from underserved Filipino communities. What’s sweeter? The concrete’s frozen custard is made with real sugar, no corn syrup and milk from dairy farmers who pledge never to use artificial growth hormones. Specialty Food Retailers, Inc. is the exclusive franchise holder of Shake Shack in the Philippines. SFRI is a member of the SSI Group. [caption id="attachment_135111" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Shack Attack, Berry Bituin and Apple Pie Oh My.[/caption] The post It’s love at first ‘shack’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»