Year after year, food news dominates the headlines and 2011 was no exception. From recalls to changing food guidelines and from new products to food trends, we saw food stories captivate audiences from coast to coast. In our ninth annual food survey, we asked Americans to tell us which food stories meant the most to them and, perhaps more importantly, how the news affected their eating habits.

Our survey revealed the following as the top three food-related stories of 2011:

#1: Twenty-Nine Deaths Caused by Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

#2: First Lady Michelle Obama with USDA Unveils MyPlate, Replaces Food Pyramid

#3: Global Food Prices Hit Record High

These stories obviously made an impact on consumers’ behavior as well. According to our survey, sixty-one percent of respondents changed their food habits in 2011 because of news coverage.

For a list of the top ten stories of 2011, click here.

For the first time ever, the Hunter PR Food Group collaborated with industry experts to compile the list of the top ten stories of the year. The folks we worked with include: Phil Lempert, editor of Supermarket Guru; Regina Ragone, food director of Family Circle; Elizabeth Fassberg, owner of food and nutrition consultancy Eat Food; Brad Thompson, chef and restaurant consultant; and Megan Steintrager, freelance food writer and editor.

As we are planning and looking forward to 2012, we also wanted to take a peek at what people have in mind for the New Year. According to our survey, 67 percent of Americans will set food-related resolutions, with approximately half of these addressing eating more whole grains or drinking beverages with less sugar. Also of interest is that 14 percent of Americans 18 and over said that they will continue to incorporate less meat into their diets.

You can check out the complete list of survey results and the full release here.

Additionally, we took to the streets of NYC to hear what people thought of this year’s top food-related stories. Check it out.

Come join the conversation of the top food stories of 2011 at a special Twitter party hosted by The Hunter PR Food Group on Thursday, December 15th from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST. You can follow the discussion via #HunterPRFood. Follow @HunterPR for more information.

Best wishes for a healthy, safe and delicious holiday season!

-Amanda

My cheap-travel-scouting most recently landed me in New Orleans for an end of the summer trip, with the hopes of boning up on my French and knowing I would probably gain a few pounds.

Amid threats of 20 inches of rain from Tropical Storm Lee (and after I just survived Hurricane Irene!), I made my way down to the Big Easy for Labor Day weekend.

Dodging raindrops, I ate my way through the city.  Even though I’m spoiled from NYC’s amazing cuisine and don’t eat much seafood, I was overwhelmed and delighted at what I found – including a plethora of Tabasco sightings, one of Hunter Public Relations’s most long-standing clients which happens to be headquartered in Louisiana. Here are some of the culinary highlights from my weekend:

Alligator cheesecake at Jacques-Imo’s:  I summoned all my courage to try this crazy dish, and it is almost exactly what is sounds like – alligator andouille and shrimp baked into a cheesy, creamy casserole. Just don’t expect whipped cream.

Turtle soup at Commander’s Palace:  Never did I think I’d eat two animals scooped out of a swamp in the same weekend, but this famous dish was again surprisingly delicious.  Listening to a jazz trio as I ate it over brunch definitely didn’t hurt.

Chargrilled oysters at Acme Oyster House:  Even if you don’t eat oysters (like me), chances are you’ll enjoy these.  I generally don’t pass anything up that is coated in cheese and garlic, so these little guys didn’t stand a chance.

A Bloody Mary at Pat O’Brien’s:  Just perfect, served with a pickled green bean. Best if not consumed on the same night as a Hurricane and a Hand Grenade.

Not even the hurricane-force winds took away from my weekend. So if your next trip is threatened by unfavorable weather conditions, just remember, it’s never raining indoors.

-Lauren

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…no, I’m not talking about the holidays.  I’m talking about Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC), the world’s premier cocktail conference held in New Orleans.  Each July, more than 2,500 bartenders, spirits brand ambassadors, spirits companies and yes, public relations professionals endure the NOLA heat all for the love of cocktails.

This was my fourth year attending TOTC and let me say it was one of the best. Not only did I spend six days with eight other fabulous Hunter PR team members, I also had the pleasure of attending and executing events with some of the best bartenders in the country who have become some of my best friends. That’s one important thing I’ve learned – always befriend your bartender.  They are some of the smartest, passionate and most kind people you’ll ever meet.

But I digress, back to TOTC.  While there, we attended some truly memorable events including a 1940s party at the World War II Museum, the Diageo Happy Hour with 40 bartenders making cocktails and the closing Bartenders Breakfast where everyone danced the night away.

I also had the opportunity to experience all the amazing food New Orleans has to offer. No judgment, but I ate at Mother’s three times, Cochon Butcher twice and August and Herbsaint once. 

Although it’s hard to believe, we actually do learn a lot at a “cocktail conference.”  By attending seminars and trying new products you really have your finger on the pulse of cocktail culture.

Even though TOTC just ended, I’m already counting down the days to 2012!

- Vanessa

In 1989 at age 62 I started a new business! Thinking about it now, it seems so crazy, but after leaving Ogilvy & Mather I was unsatisfied and not ready to retire.  Moreover, I wanted to prove to myself that I could realize the kind of PR agency I envisioned.  With two people willing to take the risk with me, Hunter MacKenzie Cooper was born in my apartment on East 38^th Street. 

 That first year was a scramble – euphoric when McIlhenny Company decided to move its business to us, frantic in locating decent affordable space, funny when trucking in used furniture from the United Wrecking Co., triumphant when we lured Grace (then Thompson, age 20 something) to join us.

 For our first assignment from Kraft we staged a formal Washington Dinner Party for 140 food writers at the Willard Hotel.  George and Barbara Bush look-alikes greeted everyone, satirist Mark Russell performed, and Miracle Whip appeared in every course, including dessert.  It was a blast, a total success.  That event plus our work for Tabasco sauce provided the credentials to build the business.  And the clients started coming our way - Dannon, Pillsbury, Nabisco, Planters/LifeSavers, Haagen-Dazs and several more in just the first few years. The company grew and changed, evolving into what it is today.

I’m so very proud of the success you have achieved while maintaining a culture that nurtures and fulfills.  It’s way beyond what I could possibly imagine those many years ago.  I’m truly honored that my name is still on the door.  Congratulations …and may the next 22 years be even more fantastic!

As one of Hunter PR’s resident vegetarians**, I am always on the hunt for delicious veggie dishes.  I mean, I would LOVE to live off of grilled cheese forever, but alas, my nutritionist would not be too pleased.

In case you’re all like, “I like meat, I can’t live without it,” I thought I’d share some cookbooks/recipes that are helpful in beginning your trek to non-meatdom.

First, my favorite is The Grit Cookbook.  Yes, I’m partial to this one as I worked at this Athens, GA establishment, but really it’s some of the best vegetarian food I’ve eaten.  With recipes including Tofu Reuben (the best you’ll ever eat!), Black Bean Chili, various salad dressings, and vegan Chocolate Death cake (I can vouch for this as I also used to bake it!), you’ll be off to a great veggie start.

I also highly recommend subscribing to Vegetarian Times, or you can check out their recipes online.  Here’s one that looks mighty tasty for Grilled Tofu with Wasabi-Honey Glaze.  Yum!

Lastly, there’s Babe’s Country Cookbook.  Who can resist Babe?  I mean piglets are cute!  This cookbook has 80 delicious recipes that are all super easy to make, and will have you wanting more veg!

While I’m not one to pressure anyone into vegetarianism (I mean my boyfriend and all of my family members are carnivores), I do think that a lot of people don’t give veggie food the credit it deserves.  Hopefully you can open your mind, and your bellies, to more non-meat dishes.  Enjoy!

Charlotte

*Thanks to PETA for this title

**This means I eat no meat of any kind (including fish!), but do eat dairy products.

For some living in Manhattan (I’m tempted to even say most), the Financial District is another country, a Siberia, a no-man’s land of suits & banks that ceases to exist after 6 pm; a neighborhood where avenues & street numbers have been abandoned; a piece of the island where no one ventures unless you’re a tourist visiting Ground Zero or Century 21.  Well, I’m here to break these myths & give my fellow Manhattan-ites a reason to visit the Financial District, fondly known as “FiDi” to those who call it home.

Besides having the Brooklyn Bridge & Statue of Liberty in our backyard, FiDi has great things to offer in the way of history & culture.  For exhibits and museums, there is Bodies at the South Street Seaport, which allows visitors to explore the human form, The Museum of Jewish Heritage, a living memorial to the Holocaust, and The Skyscraper Museum.

If you’re looking to fill your food & drink cravings, try one of the numerous restaurants and bars in the area -

Adrienne’s Pizza Bar is a great option for Italian lovers.  Try the Insalata di Arugola & Bianca Pizza!

Nelson Blue is NYC’s first New Zealand restaurant & bar.  The food is good, music dance-worthy & the atmosphere is always fun. 

Probably the most well-known spot is Stone Street, a cobblestone road tucked away in the heart of FiDi, home to several great spots like Ulysses’ (a pub style bar with live music on most Saturday nights) and Vintry Wine & Whiskey (a luxury bar that offers 80 wines and 100 whiskies).

So now that you have a brief overview of the Financial District, it’s your turn to explore.  Hop on practically any train, it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…A, C, E, 4, 5, 6, R, J, Z.

Melody

After graduating college I knew I wanted to live and work in New York City, the greatest city in the world and a foodie’s dream! Once I landed my first job in the Big Apple I was lucky enough to stumble upon a hidden gem of NYC - Astoria, Queens. And while I’m located three subways stops outside of Manhattan, the food is equally as scrumptious!

Yamishiro opened its doors the very same week I moved to Astoria and since then I have been back for dinner so much that I now have a VIP card, granting me 25% off my bill and they know my “usual.” The service is wonderful and the food is always fresh and reasonably priced.

As the food truck trend continues to expand across the country, here in Astoria food trucks are pushed aside by food CARTS! The best Middle Eastern cuisine can be found at a cart outside of the Broadway subway station. Every Astorian knows that the King of Falafel (winner of the 2010 Vendy Cup) will not only serve you phenomenal falafel and shawarma but it always comes with a good joke and a smile.

Small family owned establishments dominate the restaurant scene in Astoria and Diwine is by far one of my favorite local wine bars. I have frequented Diwine for their amazing brunch, cocktail-making classes, and the occasional complimentary wine tastings. The trendy, intimate atmosphere and house-infused vodkas puts Diwine on the map.   

I have now been a resident of Astoria for over a year and I’m hooked. Not only is the food superb, but the locally owned and operated restaurants sure know how to make you feel at home. So next time you are craving some delicious food and great service, mosey on out of Manhattan to Astoria!

Brittney

…PR! Well, except show business. And as we’re smack dab in the middle of the holidays, here are a few gift suggestions for the theatre lover in our life.

A pair of tickets to a Broadway musical is an excellent gift! You can go with a tried and true musical like Wicked, The Lion King or Billy Elliot, or an upcoming, much buzzed-about show like How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (starring Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe), Catch Me If You Can (based on the popular Hollywood movie) or the classic The Importance of Being Earnest (perhaps the funniest play ever written). Couple that with dinner at a nearby Times Square restaurant (I like Bond 45 or Virgil’s BBQ) and you have a gift experience that will be remembered for years to come.

If you frequent off- and off-off-Broadway plays, an terrific gift is a membership to TDF (Theatre Development Fund), which provides members discounts to theatre and other performing arts productions all year long. At $30, it’s a great gift that keeps giving, as TDF helps small, fledgling theatre companies get started and stay afloat.

Speaking of staying afloat, another gift idea that can make a real difference is a contribution to your favorite non-profit theatre. In tough economic times like these, the arts is often first to be crossed off peoples’ annual giving lists. So even a small contribution can make a huge difference. And it’s a tax write off before we ring in 2011! Some of my favorite companies include Red Bull Theatre, Pearl Theatre Company, and Phoenix Theatre Ensemble (f/d: I’m one of this company’s founders).

Lastly, if you don’t want to give the gift of theatre, but you are a fan and in the NYC area, treat yourself to show. It’s a generations-old tradition that can always benefit from more support.

Happy Holidays!

Mike

This Thanksgiving I’m looking forward to the holiday staples. The turkey and stuffing, all sides, and the multitude of pies and wine that top my in-laws’ dining room table.  But more than anything I’m anticipating the tradition of time spent with family. My husband and I alternate where we celebrate each year, and this year we’ll share the weekend with his family in my favorite neighborhood in all of New York: Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, or “The BK” as I refer to it. As an added bonus my parents will join us and I’m most excited for the opportunity to share my favorite places in The BK with them. For anyone visiting, or for those who live here but rarely venture into the county of Kings, here are some musts:

• Pizza at Lucali. A B.Y.O.B. spot that serves quite possibly the most delicious pizza I’ve ever had. Prepare for a wait. (Lucali, 575 Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231)

• Coffee at Mazzola’s. One of the best parts of my day is seeing Edith, Norma, Fabiola, and the crew at Mazzola’s for coffee or a loaf of freshly baked Italian bread. (Mazzola’s, 192 Union Street at Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231)

• A run or walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. There is nothing like crossing this immense structure, built in 1883, on foot. From the Brooklyn side you have the most spectacular view of the Statue of Liberty, with Manhattan stretching out before you.
  

If you can’t tell already, one of the things I’m thankful for this year is having the opportunity to call such a cozy, eclectic and delicious neighborhood my home.

James (my main squeeze), Ryder (my 7-month-old son) and I recently relocated to Ft. Greene from Park Slope in Brooklyn. While we miss the eclectic selection of restaurants and trendy boutiques in the Slope, we were stoked to find out that the venerable Brooklyn Flea was located just 2 blocks from our new home.

It’s not your typical “flea market” where you can buy a tea cup for a quarter, but where you can find hipsters sporting TOMS Shoes, see the resurgence of brands like Dooney & Burke making a comeback and discover that your 7-month-old has developed a palate for plum and lemongrass popsicles.

Brought to you by the guys behind the popular Brooklyn website Brownstoner.com (smart marketers I’d like to add); the outdoor flea market consists of about 150 vendors hawking goods ranging from vintage clothing (or sometimes just used Marc Jacobs sweaters from five years ago), repurposed furniture, antiques, jewelry, art (check out http://www.shehitpausestudios.com/– I own three of Matt’s pieces) and an unreal variety of freshly prepared foods.

It is located in the recreation area behind Bishop Laughlin High School (Giuliani’s alma mater) on Lafayette Ave between Clermont and Vanderbilt Aves. It is open rain or shine from 10am-5pm every Saturday through Nov 20. *

A Saturday does not go by without a visit to the food vendors.  If you’re a fan of Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race, you know what I’m talking about.  It doesn’t get any better than the artisanal popsicles from People’s Pops that Ryder loves, melt-in-your-mouth Manchego Cheese Balls from Good Fork, fun and funky choices from Asia Dog (think Vietnamese sandwiches merged with hot dogs and crushing Ruffles potato chips on your hot dogs), and incredible cultural delights from the Red Hook Food Trucks including huaraches, pupusas, and elotes.

Make sure you try the horchata (traditional agua fresca from Mexico which is made with rice, milk, cinnamon and vanilla) or sandia (liquefied watermelon) if you’re thirsty.  They are both do die for!

Definitely bring cash: At least $10 if you’re eating; $100 if you want to come home with well-worn designer handbag or a one-of-a-kind necklace, a big appetite and a friend.  Some vendors do take plastic but most are strictly green. There are too many delicious food choices to try everything in one weekend. That’s where the friend comes in. Divide and conquer to beat the occasionally long lines and get a selection of food to share.

You can join the over 7,500 followers of Brooklyn Flea on Facebook.

* The Flea also operates on Sundays on the lower levels of the Williamsburg Savings Bank at 1 Hanson Place. After Nov 21, the Flea will take place at the Williamsburg Savings Bank every Saturday AND Sunday until March 2011.

Gigi