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THE YEAR IN FOOD

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By JEFF HOUCK, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2007

Updated: 12/26/2007 10:44 am

A whopper of an exhibit in New York.

When we sat back and reflected on the past 12 months of food stories, it was difficult to decide what to highlight.

Problems with tainted food from China? Too serious.

The latest developments in the obesity crisis? Too dull.

No, we gravitated instead to stories such as the one out of Fairmont, Minn., about Aaron Giles, who lost his identity bracelet more than 20 years ago.

Stay with us on this one.

In September, a meat cutter in Fairmont found a shiny object inside a chicken gizzard and saw a name, address and phone number engraved on it. It was Giles' bracelet.

As a child, Giles lived in Fairmont and played hide-and-seek with his brothers in their grandfather's barn. He must have lost the bracelet there. Years ago, the barn was dismantled and rebuilt on a chicken farm 45 miles away. Apparently, the bracelet went with it.

Giles, now 31, said he expects the bracelet to stay in his family for many years to come.

"I have no plans on trying to lose it again," he said.

With that fabulous story in mind, here are some of our favorite stories from 2007.

Viva Tortilla!

In January, residents of Mexico City marched with banners that included an image of Mexican revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata to protest price increases in tortillas.

Fast-Food Employee Of The Year

Dancer, rapper and celebrity baby daddy Kevin Federline apologized to fast-food workers after appearing in a Super Bowl commercial that insinuated a lack of financial planning would lead to a job as a fry cook.

Goodbye, Trans Fats ...

Responding to public pressure and a New York City ban on trans-fatty acids, fast-food companies such as KFC, Burger King, Wendy's and McDonald's announced plans to reduce or eliminate the substance from their menu items.

... Hello, Trans Rats

A KFC-Taco Bell restaurant in New York City was closed in February after a dozen rats were caught on video scurrying across the floor between counters and tables and climbing onto children's high chairs.

Food Network, Now With One-Third Less Body Hair

After 10 years on the air, the Food Network canceled Emeril Lagasse's "Emeril Live" show. The network also canceled Mario Batali's "Everyday Italian" series.

That's Not The Heimlich, Ann

Following a playful on-air argument, Ann Curry pretended to strangle food editor Phil Lempert on NBC's "Today" show during a segment on April 5.

The Sound Of One Hand Clapping

Taping of the inaugural Food Network Awards show in Miami Beach in February repeatedly was interrupted because audience members kept leaving.

It Beats Selling Flaxseed All Day

Ashrita Furman, a health food store manager from Jamaica, N.Y., established a Guinness world record in May for hula-hooping under water at the Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo. Furman, who has 144 Guinness world records, performed the feat for two minutes and 20 seconds.

In Other Words, You Butter Shut Up

After protesters picketed outside her Lady & Sons restaurant in Savannah, Ga., because of an endorsement deal with Smithfield Pork, Food Network star Paula Deen issued a statement saying, "I'm a mother, a grandmother and a cook. I cook for my family, my fans and my customers. That's what I'm an expert at. I wouldn't want an organizer waiting on tables in my restaurant, no more than they would want me messin' around at their bargaining table."

Ba-da-bah-bah-baaaah, Not Lovin' It

Dawn Larson of Sycamore, Ill., who was born with Holt-Oram Syndrome and has small hands that extend not far from her shoulders, sued McDonald's for $4 million, alleging employees at two different restaurants recoiled when she tried to retrieve her food using her foot.

Oscar Mayer Has A Way With T-R-A-F-F-I-C

A Chicago police officer ticketed the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile on Michigan Avenue in August for illegal parking.

Do Not Taunt Smart Fortune Cookie!

PerpetualKid.com began selling a Magic 8 Ball-style Smart Fortune Cookie it claimed combined the ancient wisdom of the Orient with a splash of a smart-aleck attitude. Some of its 21 answers include: "Future sticky like rice," "You don't wonton know" and "Don't mock the cookie." All that for $9.99.

Waxy Whopper: Band Name!

Burger King's signature sandwich made it onto the menu at Madame Tussauds museum in New York City in early December. It is the first food item ever immortalized in wax.

One Martini, Please. Picketed, Not Stirred

Writers Guild of America member Nian Aster created The Striking Writer Martini to mark the Hollywood writers strike this fall. The recipe, with metaphorical messages:

2 ounces vodka, "to fortify against the cold strike winter"

2 ounces cranberry juice, "as the writers are seeing red"

1 ounce sweet-and-sour mix, "they're grateful for solidarity in this bitter struggle"

4 drops vanilla (or use vanilla vodka), "to symbolize the 4-cent raise they asked for"

"There's no cherry in this drink, as writers aren't getting a piece of the pie. Garnish with a half a red vine, as they hope to be back on the set soon."

Oy Vey!

Balducci's market in New York City issued an apology this month after blogger NancyKay Shapiro posted a photo of a meat-counter shelf stocked with boneless spiral hams and a sign that read: "Delicious for Chanukah."

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