Gravy, A Special Investigation. Part 1 of 2

Bank Hey KFC in Blackpool is one of the country's most highly decorated branches replete with plaques, excellence awards and something I've seen nowhere else, the Colonel statuette awarded presumably for some outstanding achievement, possibly the gravy. For it was here one stormy Wednesday night the 10th of December 2003 that I was introduced to KFC gravy. Needless to say. . . . I haven't looked back.

Gravy for me has become an integral part of every meal for dipping chips in, pouring greedily over my burger and even slurping it down straight from the tub. Here in the UK we are very lucky to get a pot of pure unadulterated gravy, for there are countries the world over that are denied this simple human pleasure.

In countries such as the USA, Australia & Spain the only way to get gravy is as part of a side order of mashed potato and gravy with the mashed potato being by far and away the lions share of the dish.

Canada has its own regional twist, Poutine. This French Canadian dish is one of the simpler pleasures in life, French fries topped with cheese all smothered in delicious KFC gravy. Notice the Quebec brand PFK (Poulet Frit Kentucky) which was adopted in the 70s with much packaging Canada wide being dual language.

Worse than this some middle eastern nations are denied gravy in any way shape or form.

The Colonel was very particular about the standard of the gravy sold in his restaurants and even found himself in a war of words in 1971 shortly after he had sold the chain for $2m. Heublein inc. the then parent company had their gravy described by Sanders as 'Sludge' with a 'Wallpaper taste'.

Today, things are different and KFC gravy attracts much admiration with one Facebook discussion topic asking respondents:

"Which is best, KFC gravy or sex with a loved one?".

Discussion is lively, one comment likens chips dipped in KFC gravy to Mannah from Heaven. There are any number of forums trying to recreate KFC gravy but little discussion about the huge variation in quality seen in UK KFC's gravy.

For too long this taboo has stood unchallenged, nobody is willing to talk about the bad gravy. In part two there will be a full and frank discussion and dissection of gravy types , a photojournalistic investigation featuring staff, fan and head office comment and even some sage words from beyond the grave. . . . The Colonel himself, the ultimate arbitrator of good taste will have his say!

KFBloggin's KFC HQ trip - Part 2

Ladies and gentlemen. . . . . welcome to the Zinger Zone, an opulently appointed meeting and conference room on the ground floor of HQ. The large table was replete with a fine selection of Yum brands' beverages, Pepsi & Drench water amongst others.

Taking a seat, the lights dimmed and two giant plasma screens silently began screening their spectacle, a modified KFC induction presentation. David our host guided us knowledgeably through the inner workings, giving us a low down on products (including some new ones, milkshake anyone?), strategy, global perspective and a veritable Who's Who of UK Fried Chicken before the grand tour.

The tour was a, but not the, highlight of the day and encompassed the training facilities all resplendent with their fine names, (The Colonel's Kabin, Popcorn Palace etc) where we saw students hard at work learning the virtues of serving quality fried chicken. We visited all the major departments with marketing being the most interesting and finance (sorry guys) the least. However we only touched upon the test kitchens (for they were to be showcased later.) before heading back to the Zinger Zone to chat chicken with some bigwigs.

"I don't know what you've done guys, but some people pretty high up in the company want to meet you."

said Daniel Hayward, head of HR. And so it came to pass that we easily whiled away an hour and a half recounting the tale of the blog and the beautiful story of those halcyon days the chicken spent countless hours wooing us at university, helping us through the bad times and sharing the good times with us. We reminisced over friends that have passed (Hot Rods & more recently the Blazin' Boxmaster) and recounted our penitences when on pilgrimages to Preston and Kentucky. We discussed likes and dislikes where I happened to mention my shame, for which some label me a pariah. . . . . that I do not eat chicken on the bone. A shocked room fell into silence as the implications of my revelation dawned. Lunch was scheduled at 1pm and the plan was for us to eat original recipe Chicken pieces.


Would Daniel be able to get some boneless chicken?
Would there be any buns?
Would they be able to cook it in time?

and would it be great (yes of course it would)

find out in the next exciting installment. . . . . coming soon only to KFB.

Poultrygeist - Night of the Chicken Dead

Well I've watched this film for the sixth time today and it is bloody brilliant.
It has everything a chicken lover could want; Sex, chicken, zombies and gore.

Here is a short synopsis.
Some crazy Colonel builds a KFC type establishment on top of an ancient Indian burial ground. A young guy called Arbie goes to work in the restaurant as some kind of scheme to get back with his ex girlfriend.

All goes well until the chicken undead collaborate with the Indian undead to raise havoc in revenge for the genocide committed against them.

The film is visually stunning and the dialogue is well written. The acting compliments the fun nature of the film and the musical numbers are really well done too.

Overall I would give this film 5 out of 5.

It's just a plain old fashioned chicken rompathon :)

KFBloggin's KFC HQ Trip – Part 1

Recently, KFBloggin's team of hungry amateur journalists were offered the chance of a lifetime for any serious chicken fan – a trip to KFC UK HQ. This, is their story...

It was late at night in KFBloggin's London HQ, and the chill spring air had forced even the most die-hard KFC enthusiasts away from their forums and blogposts, and into the warmth of their beds. Suddenly, as the clocks turned past 2 am, an alarm ran out, waking us from our dreams of new KFC products and sending us staggering wearily to the door to see who could possibly be calling at this uncolonely hour. The door burst open, and in a flash of blinding light DG appeared, with news that would change our lives forever. “Get some sleep lads” he said, madness dancing in his wild eyes...

We're going to KFC HQ tomorrow!

After a few hours of restless sleep, and after DG had collapsed face down on a sofa for a while after his nightmare 6 hour journey, we awoke excitedly at 8am, and after rejecting the possibility of visiting a KFC AM for a morning pick-me-up for fear of regurgitating our delicious breakfast due to sheer joy and amazement, we quickly left our own HQ and headed to the nearest train station in order to directly proceed to another. After a final short team meeting and brainstorm on the train(storm) we arrived at our destination, the fabulous golden city of Woking. Though saddened that we did not have time to visit the towns KFC branch before our meeting, we headed directly to the imposing office-fronted edifice that houses the UK brains of the KFC operation.

Walking into the building's reception, we each felt that it appeared much as any other office, little knowing the strange and wonderful secrets that lurked within the veritable Chocolate factory of a place. Handing in our golden tickets giving our names to the receptionist, we each received official YUM! Passes for use in the building, and were left to our own devices, and the breathless anticipation of a short wait. We were soon greeted by our first team members of the day (and our first tour guides),

Daniel Hayward, UK Recruitment Manager (favourite KFC product: Hot Wings)

David Jones, HR Assistant (favourite KFC product:Blazin' Boxmaster)

Offering to show us around the ground floor, David lead us into the KFC offices, firstly through a canteen and relaxation area (where this Blogger could not help but notice that the plates , cutlery and wetwipes available were the same as those seen in your average KFC branch). A new Lavazza coffee machine was being fitted here – and we would hear more on that issue later. Past that, we winded our way down a corridor, and paused for a moment to remark upon the doors to the various meeting rooms and office spaces, each carrying the name of a KFC or YUM! group product, such as the delicious, “Zinger Zone.” All too soon, we had arrived at our destination, just in time for our first meeting. Soon, all the mysteries and questions that we had could, and would be solved by some of the biggest KFC experts in the country. Excitedly, we gripped the door handle, and turned it, opening the door to our first meeting of the day...
Join us again soon for part 2, where the mysteries and wonders of KFC will be laid bare...

Kentucky Fried Text

I am frequently sent small missives from friends and acquaintances by text message when they are in a branch of KFC. Most are just a fun way of staying in touch, but some, & one in particular I received the other day really highlights the hold the delicious finger licking flavour has over people, making them drop whatever they're doing in pursuit of happiness:

"At one of Vanessa's friends weddings at the moment, the service is going on as we speak. . . . . I'm across the road at KFC"