4FOOD DELIVERS THE SCOOP ON LOSE WEIGHT / FEEL GREAT WEEK

With the new year comes New Year’s resolutions, the most popular amongst them being “to get in shape”. This year 4food is helping New Yorker’s keep that resolution with their new superfood Masala Veggiescoop, and challenging them to get fit for 2013. Beginning this January, 4food guests can pack on the extra healthy proteins of quinoa, lentils, and garbanzo beans tossed with shredded carrots, red onion, habanero peppers, almonds, and scallions; seasoned with Chana masala, lime juice, black sesame, chia seeds, and cilantro. The spicy, gluten-free, and vegan Veggiescoop is only 45 calories per serving and can be enjoyed at the center of your (W)holeburger or atop a Masala Salad Bowl, now only $5 for the month of January.                                                

On Monday January 7, 2013 4food will launch its first ever (De)Junk Fitness Challenge, to promote  National Lose Weight, Feel Great Week (January 7-13). 4food will be joined by other wellness and fitness brands to raise awareness for nutritionally sound food choices and promote physically active lifestyles.

Over the past 20 years, obesity levels have doubled in the United States. In New York City alone, more than half of all New Yorkers are at an unhealthy weight, putting them at an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and a number of other chronic diseases and associated mortalities. According to a recent survey conducted by the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, 34% of adult New Yorkers are overweight with 22% categorized as obese. Fortunately, obesity is preventable, which is exactly what 4food and friends intend to help demonstrate through personalized (De)Junk Fitness Programs.

On Monday January 7, 2013 from 11AM-2PM 4food guests will be able to visit the inaugural (De)Junk Fitness Station at 4food’s 286 Madison Avenue location. There guests will register at 4food.com and complete a We Know You Better nutrition profile. The profile asks users no more than 20 intuitive questions, getting to the heart of their nutritional goals and food preferences. The profile then makes meal recommendations based on the information provided. Guest can also receive one-on-one fitness advice from personal trainers on the premises courtesy of New York Sports Club; as well as nutrition, vitamin, and supplement suggestions from the team at The Vitamin Shoppe. Each guest will be given a (De)Junk Fitness Card for 4food, good for deals on healthy meals; a 3-Day pass for New York Sports Club, which includes one free session with a personal trainer; discount coupons for The Vitamin Shoppe; and more! The challenge is designed to encourage guests to set realistic fitness goals and to help realize them by providing dietary and exercise support.

After mapping out the road to their fitness goals, guests can feast on 4food’s chef built or custom created (W)holeburgers, Rice Bowls, and Salad Bowls filled with their choice of fresh, nutritious, and diverse offerings such as Chipotle Hominy, Roasted Brussels, and Spinach & Garlic to name a few.                                       

ON THE CHART/CHARTBEAT: TIS THE SEASON FOR GOOD MEAT WITH TASTY CHEESE

The 2013 Buildboard Chart begins the New Year with a four-way tie at #10. The Mayan Burger and MSHEPPARD are still around, Angela’s Veggie 2 and ANGELA1126 are filled with love from the ground, VoxBurger and LARRYSMILLER re-enter surrounded by sound, and MISSKHAHLIDRA’S #CaseOfTheMondays rebounds back. A two-way tie at #7 is shared by the red, white, and blue of GFARNOLI’S New American Cheddar Burger alongside AZUCKER’S newcomer Salmon Mac & Cheese with a touch of hot! which “feels like home…” with Multigrain Bun-Wild Salmon Patty-Mac & Cheese Scoop-Kim Chi Slice-Lettuce-Onion-Pickle-Tomato-Tartar Sauce. Sharing leaps to the #3 spot are AHARRIS’S platinum chart mainstay CaliBurger and ALEXC’S geolocated Midtown Cheddar Bacon. Perching itself at #2 is JFAVUZZA’S golden Better Turkey Burger. Running its way back up the hill and atop the chart at #1 is ANGELA1126’S Jake’s Mac & Cheese pancetta burger.

THE YEAR OF THE (W)HOLEBURGER

According to the Chinese Zodiac 2012 was the year of the Dragon, however, astrologers may want to re-consult the stars because it was definitely the year of the (W)holeburger. 4food kicked off the year by inviting the team at Celiebo to help train our staff in maintaining a truly gluten-free workspace. 4food chefs also did some teaching this year, giving classes on making fresh mozzarella and decadent desserts through SideTour. Guests also took the opportunity to use 4food as a learning center, attending various MeetUps held in our space. Our Executive VP even gave a seminar on Slow Fast Food at The Brooklyn Food Conference. 4food continued expanding its social network by hosting a dinner and panel discussion with food application and website creators during Social Media Week. The launch of LevelUp, a wallet-less app that allows guests to pay with their smartphones, made its debut on 4food counter tops.

4food gave back this year in more ways than one. In a partnership with Urban Go Green, the Green Chart was unveiled - a vehicle for which eco-focused non-profit organizations could create custom (W)holeburgers and a portion of their sales would benefit their organization. 4food also sponsored the Take Steps Walk for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, and held a series of happy hour events every Thursday in December to benefit New York Cares, Toys for Tots, and City Harvest. We participated in Meatless Mondays, and held a pop-up in our store to raise awareness for healthy snacking by creating (De)Junk Food Day. And we were fortunate to have 96 working electrical outlets to help those effected by Hurricane Sandy in need of a place to recharge.

The (W)holeburger hit the streets, making an appearance at the Get Real NY Beer 'N Balls event showcasing a wild board meatball with our signature sweet chili sauce and coconut rice. 4food was also a hit with the downtown crowd when it debuted its (W)holeburger Bar under the Highline at the outdoor Urbanspace Meatpacking Market.

Milestones were achieved throughout the year for 4food. Artisanal is the best word to describe the happenings in the 4food kitchen this year. Five Acre Farms started supplying our guests with local grass-fed milk. All bread baking moved in house with the new addition of the biscuit muffin. The patties, which are always made in-house, were taken to the next level when the team decided to grind its own beef as well. Even the housemade sodas got an upgrade, with the addition of fresh pressed juices. Our guests celebrated milestones as well, when for the first time three guest-created (w)holeburgers received top honors at the annual Gold Burgers Awards - MGR Lamb Burger, CaliBurger, and Cali4nication had each surpassed one thousand units in sale and were bestowed Platinum Burger status on the 4food Wall of Fame.

With the new year comes New Year’s resolutions, the most popular amongst them being “to get in shape”. This year 4food is helping New Yorker’s keep that resolution with their new superfood Masala Veggiescoop, and challenging them to get fit for 2013. Beginning this January, 4food guests can pack on the extra healthy proteins of quinoa, lentils, and garbanzo beans tossed with shredded carrots, red onion, habanero peppers, almonds, and scallions; seasoned with Chana masala, lime juice, black sesame, chia seeds, and cilantro. The spicy, gluten-free, and vegan Veggiescoop is only 45 calories per serving and can be enjoyed at the center of your (W)holeburger or atop a Masala Salad Bowl, now only $5 for the month of January. On Monday January 7, 2013 4food will launch its first ever (De)Junk Fitness Challenge, to promote  National Lose Weight, Feel Great Week (January 7 - 13). 4food will be joined by other wellness and fitness brands to raise awareness for nutritionally sound food choices and promote physically active lifestyles.

ON THE CHART/CHARTBEAT: MAYANS, SKINNY GIRLS, AND A STAR-SPANGLED (W)HOLEBURGER

Finishing up the year on the Buildboard Chart we start with a three way tie at #10 beginning with ANGELA1126’S ever popular although somehow slipping Angela’s Veggie 2, the end of the world came yet MSHEPPARD’S “get it while you can!!!!” newcomer The Mayan Burger was and is still here and available to all, and DOUBLEASQUARED amplifies our new year’s resolutions with the sweet and roasty Skinny Girl Gluten Free Sammy newbie of Pressed Rice Bun-Wild Salmon Patty-Roasted Brussels Scoop-Maple Butternut Squash Slice-Chutney Condiment. Tied at #7 is a now struggling 4foodie fave in ALEXC’S “all business, all delicious” Midtown Cheddar Bacon and a staple since the introduction of the (W)holeburger in AHARRIS’S platinum CaliBurger. Landing at #4 and newly waving its Beef Patty-Mushroom & Onions Scoop-Pancetta Bacon Slice-Cheddar Cheese (W)holeburger with star-spangled Lettuce-Pickle-Tomato-Ketchup-Mustard on a Multigrain Bun is GFARNOLI’S “an improved classic with a healthy twist” New American Cheddar Burger. At #3 we find ANGELA1126 again in the company of Jake’s Mac & Cheese pancetta burger followed by JFAVUZZA’S golden bird Better Turkey Burger at #2. Finally in the last week of 2012 we have a tie at #1 with RHA70’S resurging blue Michigan Wolverine Burger alongside ALEXC’S (in)famously popular The Manchego Avocado.

FROM SCRATCH

preposition \ˈfrəm, ˈfräm also fəm\ verb \ˈskrach\

definition \ To make or start from the beginning, especially without relying on other advantages

Powerful words - let’s see how many 4food menu items we can apply this definition to …

Apple Crumble Mousse, Avocado & Chili Mango, Basil Pesto, BBQ Sauce, Beef Patty, Biscuit Muffin, Breakfast Sausage Patty, Brioche Bun, Caramelized Apple, Cheddar Grits, Chipotle Hominy, Chipotle Pepper Sauce, Chocolate Chip Shortbread, Chocolate Chipotle Shortbread, Chocolate Tofu Mousse, Classic Frittata, Classic Shortbread, Coconut Rice, Cola Soda, Corazon Smoothie, Cranberry Ginger Soda, Cranberry Sauce, Dirt Smoothie , Edamame & Sea Salt, Egg White Frittata, Eggplant Parmesan, Fresh Mozzarella, Grapefruit Juice, Green Smoothie, Guacamole, Hard Boiled Egg, Herb & Apple Stuffing, Hibiscus Berry Tea, Horseradish Cream, Hummus, Jerk Sauce, Kick Start Smoothie, Kim Chi, Lamb Patty, Lemon Soda, Mac & Cheese, Mango Chutney, Maple Butternut Squash, Maple Crunch Mousse, Marinated Shiitake Mushrooms, Milk Hot Chocolate, Mixed Berry Jam, Mixed Green Salad, Mofongo, Multigrain Bun, Multigrain Rice, Mushroom & Onions, Orange Juice, Pancetta Bacon, Pickles, Pico de Gallo, Pork Patty, Potato & Chorizo Hash, Pressed Rice Bun, Pumpernickel Bun, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Root Vegetables, Salmon Patty, Salsa Verde, Sesame Ginger Shortbread, Spicy Collard Greens, Square Roots, Sweet Chili Sauce, Sweet Plantains, Tartar Sauce, Tofu Frittata, Tzatziki, Vanilla Crème Soda, Veggie Chili, Veggie Patty, White Hot Chocolate, White Peach Rosehip Tea.

In case you lost count, the total number of items on the 4food menu made from scratch is 79. Small batches of hand crafted, meticulously tested recipes prepared daily by trained culinary professionals. Ingredients sourced from the very best suppliers, as local and seasonal as possible, and food prepared without preservatives, chemical flavor enhancers, or artificial colors. This is nothing new for us; serving all-natural food has always been our ethos. However to raise our game this year, we moved more of our production in-house. We grind our own meat, roll our own bread dough, pickle our cucumbers, and ferment our own Kim Chi! In fact the only things missing from this list are the raw vegetables, such as tomato and avocado, which we slice for toppings; ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard - all organic by the way; and the majority of our cheeses - also all-natural. These are just a few examples of how 4food continues to work toward bring you the freshest food possible, made quickly and to your specifications. 

ON THE CHART/CHARTBEAT: AN ODD COUPLE AND A CARNIVOROUS VEGETARIAN

A three way tie at #10 jumps starts with ANGUSSHILLINGTON’S ANGUS followed by another returning turkey in MICHSY’S Pilgrim Burger and AHARRIS’S west coast platinum staple CaliBurger. Two polar opposites attract to tie it up at #7 with DOCKERYFARMS’S The Jerk Burger and HALEYTURNER’S Your GF Veggie girlfriend. Sitting solo at #5 and bringing veggie back is ANGELA1126’S Angela’s Veggie 2. A two way tie at #3 has ALEXC’S Midtown Cheddar Bacon dropping a few spots from #1 and JFAVUZZA’S Better Turkey Burger staying rock solid for a few weeks in a row. ALEXC’S The Manchego Avocado seems to have maintained a stronghold at #2. ANGELA1126’S Jake’s Mac & Cheese pancetta burger, her first carnivorous creation of Brioche-Beef-Mac & Cheese-Pancetta Bacon-Cheddar-Lettuce-Tomato-Barbeque-Ketchup, mooves past the herd to graze atop the Buildboard Chart at  #1.

CLASSIC SWEETS GET A MODERN MAKEOVER

Tradition. It’s part of what makes this time of year so magical. Regardless of personal beliefs, or personal motivations, people all over the city take comfort in time-honored traditions that occur during the holiday season. Whether it’s gathering in Rockefeller Center to marvel at the lighting of the tree, or on 5th Avenue and 59th Street to stare in awe at the world’s largest Hanukkah menorah, it’s tradition that brings people together. The best part about tradition of course is being able to add to it and make it uniquely your own.

Our chef Vincent Mangual has taken a page from that book, and put a (w)hole new spin on traditional holiday sweets. Starting this week 4food welcomes back their decadent Chocolate Tofu Mousse, set atop a dark chocolate disk and fresh strawberries. And for a limited time Maple Crunch Mousse will be joining the line-up, made with pure Vermont maple syrup, white chocolate, and candied pretzels. It won’t matter if you were naughty or nice this year, if you leave Chocolate Chipotle Shortbread or Sesame Ginger Shortbread for a certain someone - just two of the new shortbread cookies available now. Milk Chocolate Chip Shortbread and Classic Shortbread are also on the roster. Pair any those with a cup of Hot Mulled Cider and we do believe you will have created your own new holiday tradition!

ON THE CHART/CHARTBEAT: SEVERAL NEWCOMERS, A VEGGIE GIRLFRIEND, AND ONE ANGUS BIRD

This week’s Buildboard Chart starts with a foursome tied at #10 comprised of one returner, two newcomers, and an old faithful. GFARNOLI’S T bird re-enters while ANGUSSHILLINGTON’S namesake ANGUS of Pressed Rice-Turkey-Eggplant Parmesan-Pancetta Bacon-Fontina-Lettuce-Onion-Pickle-Chipotle Pepper-Chutney makes its “drem” debut alongside CVC8’S “really delicious and good for your heart and soul” Vege Out newcomer of Biscuit Muffin-Veggie-Eggplant Parmesan-Avocado-Manchego-Lettuce-Tomato (the first Biscuit Muffin build to chart) all keeping good company with AHARRIS’S platinum oldie but goodie CaliBurger. DOCKERYFARMS’S The Jerk Burger stays away from the cans and within the middle of the pack at #6. Newcomer HALEYTURNER’S Your GF Veggie girlfriend of Pressed Rice-Veggie-Mushroom & Onions-Avocado-Lettuce-Pickle-Tomato-Basil Pesto-Horseradish Cream offers some flavor and spice and many things nice. ANGELA1126’S and Jake’s Mac & Cheese pancetta burger drops one spot to #4. JFAVUZZA and his golden Better Turkey Burger flap up again several perches to #3. Two delicious burgers plus one avid 4foodie equates to the top two performing (w)holeburgers this week with ALEXC’S confident The Manchego Avocado at  #2 as well his busy Midtown Cheddar Bacon which continues its reign at #1.

EAT, DRINK, AND SHARING

Everyone loves a good happy hour, and we have come up with one more reason for you to grab drinks with your friends after work. Introducing Thirsty Thursdays: 4food's weekly Thursday night party featuring music by DJ Tim, $3 beers and sangrias, and $5 chef created (W)holeburgers. Oh, and your rocking good time benefits local NYC charities.

This Thursday, a portion of the party proceeds will be given to New York Cares. Volunteers from the organization will be on hand to collect those gently used coats taking up way too much space in your closet. Every week in December Thirsty Thursday will spotlight a different organization. Check out the 4food events calendar (http://4food.com/eventscalendar/) and start assembling your co-workers.

ON THE CHART/CHARTBEAT: BLING, PILGRIMS, AND ALEXC X2

The Buildboard Chart is ringing and jingling its way through the first week of December starting at #10 with newcomer GRABINOWITZ’S “avicado with a little zip” Cado Bling sensation of Multigrain-Turkey-Avocado & Chili Mango-Avocado-Cheddar-Lettuce-Tartar Sauce. Falling into a tie at #9 AMICHAELS’S THE COWBOY WAY gets bucked from the top alongside AHARRIS’S (platinum) setting CaliBurger. Landing its way back on to the chart south of Plymouth is MICHSY’S November to remember Pilgrim Burger at #7. JFAVUZZA’S Better Turkey Burger gobble gobbles its golden way to #6, while DOCKERYFARMS’S The Jerk Burger projects its personality as it slips its way to #5. Hanging within the national polls is RHA70’S Michigan Wolverine Burger at #4, while ANGELA1126 can do no wrong as Jake’s Mac & Cheese pancetta burger climbs to #3. ALEXC’S confident “order today so you can say you knew this future Buildboard chart topper before it was famous!” The Manchego Avocado tangos its way from last week’s brink to this week’s crest at #2, while ALEXC’S “all business, all delicious” Midtown Cheddar Bacon is all day strong all week long holding down the top spot again this week at #1.

FORECAST FOR DECEMBER IS LOOKING PRETTY HOT

While the weather may be more unpredictable than frightful, it is still cold outside. And when the mercury drops, that 5 minute walk from the subway to your office feels like an eternity. Thankfully our chef Vincent Mangual has the cure for frosty commutes: Hot Chocolate. And not your run-of-the-mill Swiss Miss. Dark or White Callebaut Chocolate melted into thick drinkable lava with locally sourced milk from Five Acre Farms.

Warm beverages are not the only thing heating up at 4food. Baker DeVonna Cayson has been churning out fresh hot buns by the dozens for all of the 4food (W)holeburgers and De-Junked Breakfast Sandwiches. On any given day you can spot her through the commissary window rolling brioche dough, or take a peak behind the counter and you may catch her flipping biscuit muffins on the griddle.

Bread baked fresh daily on the premises is what De-Junked food is all about. Find out for yourself!

ON THE CHART/CHARTBEAT: LEAPS, FALLS, AND TIES

The Buildboard gets the holiday season started this week with ALEXC’S The Manchego Avocado confident newcomer of Brioche-Beef-Pico de Gallo-Avocado-Manchego-Lettuce-Onion-Pickle-Garlic Mayonnaise bowtied at #10 with RODGERSMG’S platinum MGR Lamb Burger. The re-entry of PROMSPLEEN’S Brussel Burger sits tied at #7 with JFAVUZZA’S golden spared Better Turkey Burger. All the while ANGELA1126 is at it again as Jake’s Mac & Cheese pancetta burger jumps up the charts 4 spots to a tie with AHARRIS’S 4 spot falling yet still very platinum CaliBurger. The Jerk Burger by DOCKERYFARMS finds a friend or company or crowd as it jumps up 3 spots to tie with RHA70’s Buckeye bruised Michigan Wolverine Burger at #3. Having it AMICHAELS’S The Cowboy Way spurs its way 3 spots to #2. Rebounding faster than Sanchez off a lineman’s derriere the Midtown Cheddar Bacon by ALEXC is “all business, all delicious” indeed as it takes back the top spot this week at #1.

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Holidays. Glorious, stressful, heart-warming, aggravating, memorable, intolerable, exciting, unavoidable, joyful, and expensive. It is that time of year when shoppers push, shove, spit, and curse just to see a moment of shear happiness on the faces of their loved ones. Grocery stores become obstacle courses that require stealth navigation. Electronic stores are organized chaos. And we won’t even touch on department stores, less we forget the Wal-Mart pepper spray incident of 2011 . But we must not forget that all of this insanity is in the name of love and in the spirit of giving. To do our part to lighten your holiday burden, we’re featuring the In-Laws Fiver - Turkey Patty stuffed with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and topped with Maple Butternut Squash, Housemade Cranberry Sauce, and Garlic Mayonnaise on a fresh baked Multigrain Bun. Pick one up for $5 on your way to grandmother’s house before you have truly had your fill of the holidays.

ON THE CHART/CHARTBEAT: JAKE, COWBOYS, AND CALIFORNIA DREAMING

The Buildboard Chart starts off this week with the tied re-entries at #10 of the lean, mean, and green  Angela’s Veggie 2 by ANGELA1126 and PVANESSCHE’S thankful to higher powers Lamb of God. While ANGELA1126 introduces her second burger to the chart this week and instigates another tie at #9 with her Brioche-Beef-Mac & Cheese-Pancetta Bacon-Cheddar-Lettuce-Tomato-Barbeque-Ketchup Jake’s Mac & Cheese pancetta burger (Who is Jake?) and RODGERSMG’S platinum MGR Lamb Burger. Holding solo at #6 and gaining four spots is The Jerk Burger by DOCKERYFARMS. A multigrain duo ties at #5 with newcomer AMICHAELS’S “yippie-ki-yay!” The Cowboy Way of Multigrain-Beef-Mushroom & Onions-Pancetta Bacon-Cheddar-Lettuce-Onion-Pickle-Tomato-Barbeque-Ketchup-Mustard and verteran JFAVUZZA and his golden Better Turkey Burger. At the #3 spot drops ALEXC’S Midtown Cheddar Bacon while #2 features a rally from RHA70’S Michigan Wolverine Burger. With the weather getting colder and the holidays approaching enough must be dreaming of warmer places as AHARRIS and his platinum CaliBurger climb six degrees to regain their long familiar #1 status.