Originally published March 23, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 23, 2007 at 2:02 AM
No more foie gras on Puck's new menu
As part of a new initiative to fight animal cruelty, chef Wolfgang Puck said Thursday he will no longer serve foie gras, the fatty liver...
LOS ANGELES — As part of a new initiative to fight animal cruelty, chef Wolfgang Puck said Thursday he will no longer serve foie gras, the fatty liver produced by overfeeding ducks and geese.
His 14 fine-dining restaurants, more than 80 fast-casual eateries and 43 catering services will use only eggs from hens that have lived cage-free; veal from free-roaming calves; and lobsters that have been removed from their ocean traps quickly to avoid crowding.
Puck said guests at his restaurants want to know their food is made with fresh, organic ingredients and that the animals were treated well.
"We want a better standard for living creatures. It's as simple as that," Puck said.
The move came after three years of protests against Puck's restaurants by Farm Sanctuary, an animal-rights group.
Puck worked with the Humane Society of the United States on the new initiative. He said he wasn't responding to pressure from animal-welfare advocates but instead believes the best-tasting food comes from animals that have been treated humanely.
"We decided about three months ago to be really much more socially responsible," he said. "We feel the quality of the food is better and our conscience feels better."
Chicken and turkey meat served at Puck's restaurants will come from farms that comply with progressive animal-welfare standards, and menus will feature more vegetarian selections, he said.
The restaurants also will serve only certified sustainable seafood.
Puck's chefs will continue to kill live lobsters by cutting them in half rather than by using stun guns.
And stingraylike skate and Russian caviar, on an "avoid" list compiled by Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch, remain on his menus.
His restaurants include Spago and Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express. The latter has a location at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 12:02 PM
DC sniper's execution set for Tuesday night
UPDATE - 12:13 PM
DOD worker assessed Fort Hood suspect months ago
UPDATE - 12:26 PM
Obama salutes Fort Hood victims, condemns murders
UPDATE - 11:24 AM
White House: Obama eyeing host of Afghan choices
UPDATE - 12:06 PM
Navies of 2 Koreas exchange fire near border

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
262 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
261 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
204 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
177 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
157 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
128 - Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010
94 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
85 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
84 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
71
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene





