Chef David Chang Lashes Out After Threatened By Anti-Foie Gras Activists
Posted in Animals on 27. Mar, 2009
Chef David Chang, owner of Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ssam Bar, and Momofuku Ko, recently took to Eater.com to express his frustrations with a certain group of  foie gras protestors. In the story, he writes:Â
“So last Friday night, just before dinner service, a guy walked into Ko and handed us a letter and a packet of anti-foie gras propaganda. The letter said that if we continue to serve foie gras he will “encourage” his activists to “demonstrate outside our establishment” leading to “negative” publicity.”
“We think the anti-foie gras campaign of intimidation and misinformation is ridiculous. After reading and hearing about what these “activists” have done to other conscientious and responsible restaurateurs around the country, we feel threatened by their actions.”
“Instead of digging in and trying to get Smithfield or Butterball or McDonald’s or some giant place that’s involved in the factory farm business, that is responsible for the systemized mistreatment of millions of animals, they come after foie gras and small businesses like ours that they feel like they can hurt more easily.”
Apparently David has been to Hudson Valley Foie Gras (where he receives his duck) and is impressed with their husbandry. At Hudson Valley, he says:
“The ducks live a good life, free of cages and with plenty of area to roam. The same caretakers feed them and look after them and keep them relaxed and calm. These people care for and about the ducks – they don’t just force food down their throats. (And the ducks didn’t show any visible signs that the feeding bothered them – they just waddled back off to duck life after it.) There is real thought and respect put into every step of the duck’s life.”
While David doesn’t usually put foie on all of his menus, he will now. In fact, he brags that, “as of today we’ll be adding at least one foie gras dish to each of our menus in the coming week or so, and we’ll work to keep the prices of the dishes low…”
What do you think of David’s disgusting foie habit? Will this inspire you to start your own protest? Read the whole article and then chime in and share your thoughts?
So, how is the “fuku” part of the restaurant name pronounced? Yeah.
This guys argument is nonesense. The bottom line is that he should not profit off the exploitation and cruel death of these animals. His premise, is from a view of human supremacy. Let’s try his quote with a few words changes, and see if he still agrees:
“The jews live a good life, free of cages and with plenty of area to roam. The same caretakers feed them and look after them and keep them relaxed and calm. These people care for and about the jews – they don’t just force food down their throats. (And the jews didn’t show any visible signs that the feeding bothered them – they just waddled back off to jew life after it.) There is real thought and respect put into every step of the jew’s life.â€�
The Jews? Really? that’s quite tasteless.
Some people thrive on PR opportunities. I wonder how he’ll feel once we’re protesting outside his establishments!
A nice recpe idea you have here. I am always looking for more ideas to keep the kids entertained with and this one might just do the trick so thank you for sharing it.