Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Year 2, Day 215: French Toast Fantasies

Today was notable for two reasons. One, I had yogurt and peanut butter for breakfast. Two, we went for a very brisk Domania walk. Unusually, I was in front today, with another employee and we got so far out so fast that we actually had to stop and wait for the rest of the staff. During that break, I had time to call in my lunch order at Peter's, which is always exactly the same. While I typically denounce this kind of lack of imagination in others, it is only by committing to the identical lunch that allows me to walk and still be back at my desk in a reasonable time frame. I can't start messing around with choices when I'm on a tight schedule.

Breakfast
6 oz Plain Yogurt
3 Tablespoons Super Chunky Peanut Butter

Snack
4 Sticks of Beef Jerky
2 oz 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
10 Almonds

Lunch: Peter's Kitchen
Grilled chicken salad with feta and balsamic vinegar

Dinner:
Flounder
Cabbage

IHOP does it again. While most American companies should be figuring out how to help Americans slim down, IHOP is figuring out how to sell more carbs, sugar and fat. How? By introducing "French Toast Fantasies." It all started with their very sad survey:

Nearly one in four adults often fantasizes about food (26%):

-- "Rich and decadent" and "warm and comforting" foods are
most often fantasized about (each 31%), while others (21%)
dream about foods that are exotic and fun.


They conclude that since Americans 'fantasize' about food and travel (did they leave something out?) they thought they would combine them. Note in the press release below, there are some very non-specific travel 'destinations.'

IHOP's French Toast Fantasy lets guests choose from three flavors of French toast that fulfill their favorite food and travel fantasies:

For guests with a fantasy that whisks them away to the sweet and fruit-filled tropical islands, the Caramel-Banana French Toast consists of four fluffy triangles of banana-flavored French toast, topped with fresh, sliced banana, sweet caramel sauce and creamy whipped topping.

For those with a rich and decadent food fantasy, IHOP offers its Stuffed French Toast, cinnamon-raisin French toast stuffed with cream cheese filling and crowned with whipped topping, powdered sugar and delicious fruit topping.

And for those who want a taste of exotic spices from the far corners of the globe, Cinnamon Swirl French Toast features a sweet, flaky cinnamon roll that is sliced and grilled French toast-style.

"Whether our guests dream of food, travel or both, French Toast Fantasy allows them to indulge in a taste bud fantasy any day of the week," said Carolyn O'Keefe, chief marketing officer of IHOP.

The full press release is here:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=104384&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=902841&

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder what kind of French Toast recipe one could expect if the fantasy destination were Pluto, that erstwhile planet, now a lesser body? Perhaps a not too large slice of bread, fried just a little, but not too much, a dab of non-descript something or other on it until science makes up its mind?
The Aunt of d.

Mom said...

I actually love French toast plain...no frills....some things don't need any adornments...But IHOP in Manhasset is a good place with reasonable food, good prices and people coming out of the woodwork. But enough never is enough....It's seems to me that we think of food in order not to think about Amish girls... crazy North Korean leaders and our own incompetent leadership. Hopefully, the midterms will give us a chance to do something in reality....but perhaps many will dream on. Love, MOM