Burger King Shills

I was a bit surprised recently when I saw BK has hired celebrity cooks to promote their new chicken sandwiches. Rachael Raye I could almost see, but Rick Bayless? I had some respect for him, this is a guy who takes his restaurant staff from Chicago to Mexico so they can experience real regional cooking. It must be cheaper to take them to Burger King.

I have been known to consume some BK in a pinch. I usually stick to the burgers, but did try a godawful chicken ceasar sandwich this summer. On that experience alone I'm not inclined to try the new ones, even if Rick says I should.

Anyone else find this a little disturbing?

I don't think any less of BK but I think a whole lot less of Bayless.

John

I caught the BK television spot, too, this weekend and my jaw dropped. Having just eaten at Bayless' fabulous Frontera in Chicago a few months ago it seemed like such a disconnect between fine dining and fast food. Just so long as its a one-way street where he is shilling for Burger King and I can forgo an order for homemade flautas at his Chicago eatery WITHOUT being asked if I want "fries with that," I can live with it.

Who knows, maybe BK actually deserves some credit for introducing a healthier, more real, grilled poultry dish accompanied by actual vegetables. Who woulda' thought ??

I wonder just how many regular BK customers even know or care who Rick Bayless is ?? I'm actually surprised that they would pick him, you would think they would go for some movie/tv/music/sports entertainment GOOBER instead!!!!

and on the other hand, I'm sure the money was too good to pass up for Mr. Bayless !!!

My guess is that it's not the regular customers the ads are targeting but rather people who don't normally go to Burger King, that is, people who read food and cooking magazines, watch food shows on TV, are familiar with celebrity chefs, probably follow somewhat healthful eating regimens, and above all, earn more money and have more disposable cash.

quote:

Originally posted by scbuzz

I wonder just how many regular BK customers even know or care who Rick Bayless is ?? I'm actually surprised that they would pick him, you would think they would go for some movie/tv/music/sports entertainment GOOBER instead!!!!

and on the other hand, I'm sure the money was too good to pass up for Mr. Bayless !!!

quote:

Originally posted by jpatweb

My guess is that it's not the regular customers the ads are targeting but rather people who don't normally go to Burger King, that is, people who read food and cooking magazines, watch food shows on TV, are familiar with celebrity chefs, probably follow somewhat healthful eating regimens, and above all, earn more money and have more disposable cash.

quote:

Originally posted by scbuzz

I wonder just how many regular BK customers even know or care who Rick Bayless is ?? I'm actually surprised that they would pick him, you would think they would go for some movie/tv/music/sports entertainment GOOBER instead!!!!

and on the other hand, I'm sure the money was too good to pass up for Mr. Bayless !!!

Just like the cats on this thread, baby!

True DAT !!!

Dis is da place of what's happenin NOW !!!!!

Originally posted by jpatweb

My guess is that it's not the regular customers the ads are targeting but rather people who don't normally go to Burger King, that is, people who read food and cooking magazines, watch food shows on TV, are familiar with celebrity chefs, probably follow somewhat healthful eating regimens, and above all, earn more money and have more disposable cash.

Well, if Rick (or better yet, Rachael) delivers one to my house I might try it, otherwise it ain't working on me.

I'd rather eat at Rick's place....or a diner down the street.

Personally, I have eaten at Burger King exactly once in the last five years (one time to try sandwich #2), so I don't much care. For what it is worth, I don't really understand why someone who has pretty much made his career doing one thing very well and gaining a worldwide rep for it would do a BK commercial (except for the obvious financial reasons), but the link below will lead you to all of the discussion you could ever possibly want to read on this subject

[url][/url]http://forums.egullet.com/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=28870&hl=&s=430556b7145f1ebef73b80a4b8f47500

There's a printable $1 off coupon good for a "value meal" or "lite combo" with these sandwiches at the[url='http://www.burgerking.com']Burger King[/url] web site.

quote:

Originally posted by Cosmos

I was a bit surprised recently when I saw BK has hired celebrity cooks to promote their new chicken sandwiches. Rachael Raye I could almost see, but Rick Bayless?

I have been known to consume some BK in a pinch. I usually stick to the burgers, but did try a godawful chicken ceasar sandwich this summer. On that experience alone I'm not inclined to try the new ones, even if Rick says I should.

Rachel Raye is a cook . Who knew .

I've been tempted by some new BK offerings in the past only to be disappointed. Everything seems to be just a new combination of something they've already done. I don't think I'd be any more tempted to try this if Bayless had a hand in concocting it. (I've got one of his books but find myself going back to Diane Kennedy more often; I've never eaten at one of his restaurants).

Like you, I'm stuck with BK every now and then, mainly because of the hours I work (graveyards) and my procrastination when it comes to getting into the kitchen or getting out of the house in time to get something better to eat; I'll just stick with the mustard Whopper with cheese if I must.

I've seen this discussion come up on other sites and it just occurred to me - Bayless and Raye are the chosen pitchmen because that's basically what their personality type is - both are really pitchmen on their shows, especially '$40 a Day.' They're naturals for a campaign like this, whatever their credentials as 'chefs' are or what audience they're supposed to be appealing to.

quote:

Originally posted by hilldweller

There's a printable $1 off coupon good for a "value meal" or "lite combo" with these sandwiches at the[url='http://www.burgerking.com']Burger King[/url] web site.

If I can use this at Frontera maybe my tab would be $ 128 versus $ 129. Woooo-hoooooo !!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Mayhaw Man

Personally, I have eaten at Burger King exactly once in the last five years (one time to try sandwich #2), so I don't much care. For what it is worth, I don't really understand why someone who has pretty much made his career doing one thing very well and gaining a worldwide rep for it would do a BK commercial (except for the obvious financial reasons), but the link below will lead you to all of the discussion you could ever possibly want to read on this subject

[url][/url]http://forums.egullet.com/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=28870&hl=&s=430556b7145f1ebef73b80a4b8f47500

Look, I pride myself on my infinite amount of sarcasm but the egullet link and this particular thread is truly trolling. RoadFooders should rejoice in their ability to perpetually take the high road -- even in areas of disagreement.

There was an article in the Chicago Tribune a few weeks ago about Rick Bayless's endorsement of BK. Here is a quote that pretty much describes his reasoning

"I know that some people aren't going to understand," [Rick Bayless] says of his commercials endorsing the new sandwich. "I've been a pretty loud voice about how fast food's got to get its act together. . . . But I endorse anything that I think is a step in the right direction."

quote:

Originally posted by i95

quote:

Originally posted by Mayhaw Man

Personally, I have eaten at Burger King exactly once in the last five years (one time to try sandwich #2), so I don't much care. For what it is worth, I don't really understand why someone who has pretty much made his career doing one thing very well and gaining a worldwide rep for it would do a BK commercial (except for the obvious financial reasons), but the link below will lead you to all of the discussion you could ever possibly want to read on this subject

[url][/url]http://forums.egullet.com/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=28870&hl=&s=430556b7145f1ebef73b80a4b8f47500

Look, I pride myself on my infinite amount of sarcasm but the egullet link and this particular thread is truly trolling. RoadFooders should rejoice in their ability to perpetually take the high road -- even in areas of disagreement.

Actually, my WELL INTENTIONED post was in hopes of avoiding another drawn out endless debate on people selling their services to the highest bidder. And I meant what I said, if you have the time and stamina to read through 36 pages on this same subject, you will know all you ever need to know (imho), some of it written very well and some of it not. I carefully considered what I was doing before I linked to egullet (a site I like, read daily, and occasionally post at), I only meant it as a link to information covering the topic , not as some sort of troll-like attempt to stir up people here. Frankly, this happy little group is the last place on the internet I would go to make trouble (among other things,I am hardly anonymous here and really don't want to get dumped on plus I have developed a few people I consider friends (albeit a strange 21st century electronic type friendship)).

So there.

quote:

Geez, those people seem mighty upset that their best friend Rick is on TV, don't they?

More confused than upset. I have one of his cook books, it doesn't read like it was written by a Burger King salesman, far from it. The quote provided by Hawkeyejohn helps explain why Mr. Bayless would endorse a food product typically pooped out by some industrial complex in Arkansas. Too bad that quote wasn't used in the BK commercial (that would have been funny).

That said, if he genuinely feels this is a step in the right direction, then good for him to step up and say so....I'll take his word for it.

Burger King memories. I worked at BK 71 in Coral Gables for two years in HS. This was after leaving Brooklyn.

This restaurant was R & D. We tried out new food items as well as other things for the company. My favorite was the BK Sirloin Steak sandwich. After visiting my future college (Drexel) in Philadelphia,
I learned about cheesesteaks. I purchased some mazzarella from a cheese shop and put the cheese on the steak after it went through the broiler.

I learned a lot there. Much more than restaurants and food.

This very issue is revisited in today's Washington Post's "Food" section. See:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A27920-2003Dec2.html

FYI.

quote:

Originally posted by clothier

You know, I was never a Rachel Ray fan, until I read that article.
She is right on the money in her opinion of herself.
It must rankle her after a while to be referred to as perky all the time. But on the other hand, we are who we are.

And as for Chef Bayless, I'm with the pastry chef. Millions of people eat fast food every day. If some of them eat something healthier for a change, good for Bayless. And you know what? I think most Americans have no idea who he is, and the ad campaign wasn't all that effective, or it would still be on.

I think most of those people who compalined about Chef Rick take themselves just a little to seriously.

It's like I tell my clients: when all is said and done, no matter how important I think I am, no matter how important clothes are to you, they are just clothes.

You can't go around naked, and you need to eat. The rest is just commentary.

Clothier:

Regarding Rachel Ray, please consider the following my early Christmas gift to you:

http://www.fhmus.com/girls/covergirls/241/

Merry Christmas,

- i

Hey i95, while I have seen Rachael's pictures before, they continue to make a fine holiday present to us roadfooders. You have to admit, the girl really knows how to treat a strawberry.

quote:

Originally posted by clothier


You can't go around naked, and you need to eat. The rest is just commentary.

Rabbi Hillel. Correct?

quote:

Originally posted by howard8

Hey i95, while I have seen Rachael's pictures before, they continue to make a fine holiday present to us roadfooders. You have to admit, the girl really knows how to treat a strawberry.

Without question, howard8. I'll never look at my kitchen utensils the same way again courtesy of both this FHM spread (pun intended) as well as the famous Bill Murray kitchen / hand-mixer scene in that Citizen Kane of Reprobate Soldiers flick, "Stripes."

quote:

Originally posted by clothier

Bushie. I'm so impressed that you knew that. When I steal, I steal from the best.

One of my favorite "parables", clothier. BTW, Congrats on the Double Cheeseburger thing!

Rachael Ray is a hottie!

quote:

Originally posted by Marsh

Rachael Ray is a hottie!

Ok, I'm becoming a hipocrate by getting off the topic. Frankly, I find her just "average looking". Nothing special.

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<div style="border: 1px #999999 solid; background-color: #DCDCDC; padding: 4px;">Originally posted by Marsh

Rachael Ray is a hottie!

Any woman under 35 and under a size 6 who makes (according to Forbes) $7,000,000/year and does not break mirrors when she looks at them is "hot" to me!

BK has never gotten an order right for me, and the food has been lousy, so I haven't been to one in a number of years. But I really don't care what Bayless endorses: that's his business, in both senses of the word. Can he cook and run a restaurant? I understand he can, and that's all that really matters to me.

I have to admit, I have no idea who Rick Bayless is.

BK use to be my favorite untill they started NUKING everything. Now if you ask for a burger not to be NUKED, they just pull a cold cooked pattie out and put it in the bun for you. And, I thought the burgers were to be held at 140 deg after cooking.

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

I have to admit, I have no idea who Rick Bayless is.

Next time you hit Chicago, give me a call and we'll try his place. Pretty good!