Everything You Need to Know About This Week in Food

Your cheat sheet for dominating dinnertime conversation.

Alexis Deboschnek

Want to seem like you know what you’re talking about while discussing current events at the dinner table this week? Read through our essential guide to the week’s earth-shattering food news. Find out which formerly anonymous food critic revealed his identity, what one dedicated chicken fan tried to accomplish, and what new protein Pret-a-Manger is serving up.

Critic Adam Platt revealed his identity on the cover of New York Magazine

What happened: Plattypants—a.k.a. Adam Platt, New York Magazine’s restaurant critic—shed his anonymity on the cover of the magazine. For the three New York restaurateurs who didn’t already know what he looked like, the news may come as a bit of relief. Accompanying his photo, Platt penned an essay on why he finally shed his disguise, citing that even the most over-the-top treatment won’t cover up bad food. Who cares: The few New York City restauranteurs who didn't already know what he looks like, anyone working in food media, first time hosts/hostesses Further reading: Read the full story here.
A Pret A Manger customer found a dead frog in her salad

What happened: An employee at The Wall Street Journal was in for a rude awakening when she found a whole dead frog in her nicoise salad from Pret-a-Manger. The customer was quite shaken by the experience—and rightfully so. Her colleague, Kathryn Laurie, snapped a photo of the frog on Instagram which has so far been liked 163 times. A rep for Pret-a-Manger issued the following statement: "At Pret A Manger, we take issues like this very seriously. Our lettuce is sourced from farms that do not use any pesticides on its produce, therefore organic matter does very rarely manage to pass through our production process. We are currently looking into this issue to make every effort that this does not happen again." Who cares: People whose new year's resolutions include eating more salad Further reading: Click over to see what else Pret A Manger had to say on the matter.
Wichcraft waited months to tell customers their credit card information was stolen

What happened: The president of Tom Colicchio's sandwich chain ‘Wichcraft just released a statement that from August to October, the payment systems at 16 locations in New York and San Francisco were hacked. There’s no word on why the company waited over three months to tell customers about the incident, but according to the letter steps have been taken to secure the system. Names, credit card numbers, security codes, and expiration dates were all stolen, so if you’re one of the thousands of people that fulfilled a slow roasted Berkshire pork sandwich craving between August and October, keep an eye on your bank account. Who cares: Anyone who ate at 'Wichcraft from August to October, aspiring hackers, Tom Colicchio Further reading: Read the letter from 'Wichcraft president Jeffrey Zurofsky here.
Vending machines required to include calorie information in 2015

What happened: A new law which is part of President Obama’s healthcare overhaul will require all vending machines in the country to display calorie information for the products carried, come 2015. It’s estimated that it will cost the vending machine industry $25 million dollars to implement the information, but the FDA is confident it will result in people making healthier decisions when it comes to snack food. Who cares: Calorie counters, people living in food deserts who buy their lunch from vending machines Further reading: Check out what civilians and vending machine ownersthink of the new law.
Virginia restaurateur launches site for gun and food lovers

What happened: Gun slingers, rejoice! Bryan Crosswhite, the owner of The Cajun Experience in Virginia, has just launched a new Zagat-style website that will catalogue all the restaurants in America that allow guns. The website heading says the site is for “people supporting businesses that support the 2nd amendment.” So far, ten restaurants are on the list. Who cares: Gun lovers, anyone who thinks the 2nd amendment is outdated Further reading: You can check out the website—and register your restaurant—here.
British man spent £1,000 at Nando's in order to win free meals for life only to find out the competition had ended

What happened: Christopher Poole loves Nando’s, the South African fast-casual chicken restaurant, so much that he tried winning the restaurant’s coveted ‘black card.’ The black card guarantees free food for life if you can prove you’ve eaten at every Nando’s location in the world. The chain has over 1,031 locations in 30 countries on five continents. Poole had eaten at 85 locations when he found out the promotion ended two years ago. But, the good guys over at Nando’s HQ read about Poole’s quest and have agreed to honor the promotion if he can indeed eat at all the restaurants. Who cares: Nando's fans, people that don't read the fine print on promotions, Chrisopher Poole's wallet Further reading: Read quotes like this from Christopher Poole like, "I've been invited on about 10 Nan-dates so far, and it's great to meet new people who love their food as much as I do," and more at The Daily Mail.