FFC Update #4. Building the Team!
It’s going to be a great week! Two new FFC reviewers are joining immediately, with another one to follow very soon. The fast food scene is too big for one person to cover, and I needed some help. The people coming on board will give readers more opinions and different perspectives on these speedy meals we consume. They will help take the site to the next level, and I’m proud to have them join me. Please welcome them.
Al Hunter lives with his family, three cats, and Sasha the Siberian Husky, in north suburban Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His combined interests in food and information led to early development of a recipe database for diskette based desktop computers that encouraged sharing of food ideas among a group of like minded friends. A need to understand what it meant to take responsibility for eating meat led into a decades long relationship with a rural Ontario hunting community. As life raced by he found himself working on the technological cutting edge of the packaged goods business and then supermarket retail online sales and marketing. He now specializes in search engine optimization support for small business websites but spends as much time as possible cooking, eating, photographing, and writing about his many food adventures. You can find his ’slow food’ stories at: Torontovore.ca
Wendi-Jane is a vegetarian (woah, suddenly the FFC crowd goes silent) but she’s not against killing for food. She just doesn’t want to put meat in her mouth. She loves cats. She still enjoys wearing leather (insert cracking whip sound) and is not a vigilante about animal rights issues. She insists her diet is just as normal as anyone else, and she stops at many of the same restaurants we do. She simply chooses to substitute the processed meat products with plant-based options. During a recent conversation she told me — “I’m here to cast a critical eye on the vegetarian options available at fast food chains, and trust me, there will be blood”. — As you can see, Wendi is not shy about sharing her thoughts. I can also tell you she’s one of the nicest, most sincere, positive-energy people I’ve met since starting this site. She’s currently working in the music industry, in a position that would make rock ‘n roll fans jealous. The details shall remain private for the moment, but expect an update in the future. Like Al, Wendi is also from Canada. Finally, let me say, if we were all condiments, I would be Mustard or Ketchup, and Wendi would be Hot Sauce! Can you dig it?
In case you missed it, John came on board two weeks ago, and now with Al and Wendi joining, that makes FFC a Team. I’m picky about who joins the site. I’m not just interested in good writers, but in good people. These folks have impressed me with their character, as much as their food reviewing skills. They’re the type of individuals I’m proud to call friends, in addition to being contributors to the site.
Fast Food Critic’s focus has been the USA until this point, but now Canada will have a presence too. I also hope to find volunteers in other countries like Japan, China, India, anywhere the major ‘brands’ are located. The site’s ‘main’ focus will stay on the USA, but I feel it’s important to also include other cultures, and I want to give FFC readers ‘variety’. And, I personally want to see what’s going on around the world myself.
Welcome Wendi and AL.
I’ve been refreshing my screen all morning since the post update. I never realized how much I enjoy this site until there was no new stuff for a while.
I need a regular dose of ffc!
Welcome guys!
Awesome! Welcome Wendi and Al!
Welcome Al and Wendi-Jane! You both sound like great assets to the growing FFC team.
Al, I love the photography on your blog and your review of the Toronto Rib Fest has me longing for some (despite them bones)!
Wendi-Jane: Finally a veggie-voice. This is going to be great! I can only imagine how challenging finding a good fast food meal must be for people who have sworn off meat. I’m sure like-minded readers and the industry will benefit from your insight.
I’m very curious what you think of Burger King’s Veggie Burger- FFC Score: F.
I look forward to reading more from both of you!
Jeff — I could be wrong, but I think my negative review of the BK Veggie Burger is actually what motivated (or at least helped motivate) Wendi to volunteer covering the veggie scene for us. ( hehe!
) If so, it was the best-bad review ever!
Welcome Wendi and Al! This is already my favorite blog. I can’t wait to see what you guys bring to the table.
2 Canadians at the same time?
Are you sure American readers will be able to handle this?
Ha, just joking!
Welcome Al and Wendi Jane. It’s nice seeing the site getting bigger and better. I’m curious to learn how the food in Canada compares to ours.
Hooray for Al Hunter and Wendi-Jane joining. Nice to meet you. Welcome!
I hope you will be reviewing more breakfast stuff. On my way to work in the early morning is when I eat the most fast food.
Welcome Aboard! Both of you…
Wendi, would you please try to tackle a pet peeve of mine? I have no objection to veggie foods. In fact I really like many ethnic approaches to veggie eating. What bugs me is when veggie food is (usually poorly) crafted to imitate meat-carrying food, such as the “veggie burger” and others.
We just don’t see a lot of dishes cleverly made to make a steak look and taste like a carrot. Why must we put up with “imitation meat?’
Welcome, Wendi and Al!
The first thing that comes to mind are donairs, which I’ve been warned about. Could turn some meat lovers to vegetarians even! =)
I look forward to reading about the Canadian fast food scene! It will be great to hear how similar and different the restaurants are.
Hello, thanks everyone!
Jeff, I think i found this site because of that BK Veggie burger review… so it’s bad but GOOD!
Beth, Cassaendra, having had both, the American versions are alllllways better. You guys just get it right (except our poutine
Donairs here are meat sandwiches, but i love the similar falafel !!
OG, yes, it’s an complaint i hear from every. single. meat eater. I’m really happy you asked. Aside from scheming to make the meat eaters mad at us, I think it’s really about two things: marketing, and convenience.
Calling it a veggie -burger, or -bacon or -deli slice lets the consumer know how it contributes to their meal, and that they are getting a good source of protein from the product (which is essential to our diets, one and all). Besides, “textured vegetable protein” isn’t very sexy, is it.
As for taste, it’s okay that they don’t taste exactly like their counterparts. Some vegetarians / vegans hate the taste of meat anyway. Some of us loved the taste, we just didn’t feel like eating dead flesh to get it. Personally, I ate meat to get across the flavours of whatever delicious sauce i could put on it.. something i’ll elaborate on, in future reviews.
Oh, and we also love watching carnivores get all on their period about how we eat… Schadenfreude , baby
xow
hmmm.
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