Foie Gras War: Anti-Foie Gras Vandals Strike Again

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Foie Gras activists near the nation's capital are at it again, brazenly striking Columbia, Maryland's Iron Bridge Wine Company at night. Rob Wecker, who owns the restaurant with his brother Steve, told Super Chef that one of their chefs reported to work on March 23rd only to find the locks super glued shut, four windows broken and paint drizzled on the stones in front of the restaurant. The graffiti read "Get Rid of Foie Gras". Rob estimates the damage will cost him at least $3,000 – serious money for a independent local restaurant. This isn't the first time the Iron Bridge has been targeted. Super Chef reported in December, 2008 that the restaurant had received email threats, and another restaurant, Tersiguel's French Country Restaurant in Ellicott City, Maryland, had activist threaten the restaurant through emails and picketing. Are the anti-foie gras activists getting more brazen because the Obamas have signaled support for local, sustainable agriculture? They are deeply mistaken. Hudson Valley Foie Gras and Sonoma Foie Gras are well-run farms that treat their birds humanely. This is merely an easy attack on a luxury food – when activist should turn their attentions to real problems in the nation's food supply. The Iron Bridge Wine Company told Super Chef that it had taken foie gras off its menu for a short time after last winter's attack, keeping it on for special occasions. Rob reports that none of the anti-foie gras email writers were customers of the restaurant. In response to this attack Super Chef asked Rob what the restaurant's response would be this time around: We are planning a foie gras night once a week, with special preparations paired with wine. We plan to increase the foie gras on our menu; perhaps invite Celebrity Chefs, and perhaps a progress dinner around Howard County to all the restaurants that serves foie gras. We might rent a bus, and send people around to different restaurants. We will turn the negative into a positive. If there is a restaurant industry award for true grit, Super Chef's vote this year goes to Rob and Steve Wecker. Super Chef calls on other chefs, restaurateurs, and foie gras lovers in the area to support the Weckers and fight against vigilante food violence. Related News: Baltimore Sun Baltimore Sun Previous articles: [Foie Gras War - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging, cookbooks, cookbook reviews --> back to Super Chef