Shifting Sand(er)s

In recent months and years we have seen the introduction and sadly the withdrawal of numerous delicious KFC products. Whilst I am all for innovation what irks me is the lack of information the customer is given. If these things were trialled under the banner of 'for a limited time only' or 'trial period' I should be slightly appeased. Though I hate to admit it, the McDonalds model is a good one the introduction of seasonal menus allows diners to assimilate the fact that this product will not be around for longer than 3 months, if particularly popular McDonalds will know for a possible reintroduction.

The casualty list is high, all the below have fallen in battle and though some (with*) have attempted a return they again have fallen by the wayside MIA presumed dead but leaving their grieving fans with nothing tangible, and that slight bit of hope they cling onto can be a cruel master.

Wrapstar*
Kickin' Cajun Burger
The Complete Treat Meal
Hot Rods
Boneless Bites Flavour Station
Smoky Blue Tower Burger
The Zinger Twister
The Big Daddy Burger*

The above I'm sure is not an exhaustive list and please feel free to mention any products I've left out.

The one product that appears to have been a mainstay has in my opinion been one of the Colonel's worst innovations. . . . Popcorn chicken, surely the blandest product available. So come on Colonel a bit more info please.

Blazin' Boxmaster

The Blazin' Boxmaster, KFC's newest main item offering. If memory serves; we have seen a version of the Boxmaster previously, but not, in this revised format. Zinger lovers are often left out in the cold by the inclusion of only standard original recipe fillets in new product launches, but the Blazin' Boxmaster does not disappoint.

It was trialled by Rob Fentem and myself on February 10th at Manchester's Regent Road branch at 9pm along with a large side serving of gravy which revealed itself to be of hallowed 3 step variety.

I'm always slightly wary when entering a KFC that has security glass as this one did but the food however was of a high standard, hot , fresh and juicy as Harland hentended.

The Ingredients

Zinger Fillet
Hash Brown
Cheese
Hot Salsa
Crispy Bacon
Jalapeno Mayo
Lettuce
Wrap

Since the original launch of the Big Baddy burger in October 04 I am not sure if I have personally been able to reconcile KFC preparing, selling and serving bacon. Their name is very clear on their product and often constrains them, but chicken and bacon have been proved time and time again to be good culinary partners.

Moving on,

The product was served in an innovative paper wrapper with a cardboard belt with simple fastening device. Included in this was an integral identifying device to differentiate between the Blazin' or BBQ versions. Whilst the packaging was good, when put into context with the product. it was weak. One expects a product such as the Boxmaster to be in an actual box and that the product in some way masters the box either by being so large as to be it sole occupant or some other unthought of device for portraying its imperious pretensions over said box.

Once removed from the packet, the product itself was very dense thus giving it a very weighty feel. The Bacon in fact looked absent upon a cursory visual inspection but was in fact within. many of the ingredients are known to us due to their positions in other products but what is new here particularly is the Jalapeno Mayo (and Harland said it shall be good) and it was good. It was hot and added a significant new dimension to the menu.

Essentially though this is a ZT with some added extra hot sauce but suffering from wrap syndrome, a phenomenon whereby one eats to the end of the product and instead of being left with some amazing final bites, ends on 3 mouthfulls of what is virtually all wrap to contend with, thus ensuring the final mouthful is a disappointment.

All that said. . . . I would entertain another but as so often is the case it's no Zinger Tower.
6.5 out of 10

My KFC dream...a vision of the future?

Last night, I had a dream about KFC. I don't know why (maybe because I had been out the night before and planned to visit the Colonel in the morning) but as soon as I awoke from said dream, I grabbed a pen and jotted down as much as I could remember. I knew that what had come to me in the night was quite possibly the most important insight into the future. In many ways, I feel like I was touched by the Colonel, like he was trying to transmit his plans to me. The following is an outline of the dream and the vision that I had.

The dream revolved around a new menu, which included a variety of new products. After receiving a tip off from an old friend at Uni (not sure why) I immediately went to the KFC website to check it out. There I was confronted with a redesigned menu featuring not only the classic favourites but at least 50% new products.

It wasn't until I awoke that I realised the importance of what I had seen on this "dream menu" and I will now share with you my vision of the future:

1) The centre piece of the new menu was a double-decker burger, from what I can remember looked like a double stacked fillet burger with an extra layer of bun in the middle.

2) A muffin chicken roll/burger. This seemed to be about the same size as a mini fillet burger, but in a soft muffin style roll and with a warm cheese sauce.

3) A new side option was what I can only describe as a "ball of beans". Basically this was box of small bite-size balls containing baked beans and chicken pieces, coated in the secret recipe coating. There was also an optional upgraded to cheese coated variety (mozzarella i believe).

4) Another side option instead of the usual beans/gravy/corn was a small pot of savoury rice.

5) An interesting addition to the dessert range was a giant "pancake burger". This appeared to be a layered like a burger but with pancakes for the bun layers and some kind of filling. I can't fully remember whether or not there was chicken involved (it seems unlikely with pancakes, and this is why i assume it would be part of the dessert menu...but who knows!)

I'm sure there was more to the menu but unfortunately this is all I can recall. I believe I've caught a glimpse of the future here, and although items such as the pancake style burger and "ball'o'beans" seem a little unlikely, I believe they would be a delicious addition. I would certainly like to try the chicken muffin roll, and the savoury rice side option is probably the most realistic menu upgrade (I imagine this would be quite similar to the Nando's style savoury rice side, which works very well with chicken). Let's hopes this is a dream come true.

Snack Boxes are go!

Times are tight you know. Credit crunch this, recession that. And guess what, the Colonel's been listening. May we present to you the Snack Box range with a choice of mini breast fillet, popcorn chicken, two hot wings or a piece of original recipe chicken to accompany your large fries. We would write an extensive review were it not for the fact that you pretty much know what you're getting here. Delicious? Yes. Good value? Certainly. A rival to the Zinger Tower meal? Of course not.

Now when will the price of the mini fillet be dropped back down to 99p?

Casdon 521

Introducing the Casdon 521. This exciting licenced KFC Play Counter is the great way to indoctrinate your little ones with KFC branding before they've even old enough to eat it.

Made form durable plastic and featuring some sophisticated electronics this is the must have toy of 2009. Don't just take my word for it, watch the informative video and read customer reviews!




CUSTOMER REVIEWS
The illusion of the 'American dream' (and its equivalent throughout the western world) has probably never been more popular than today. Never before have so many children been encouraged to harbour the delusion that they could be the next Clive Sinclair, Peter Beardsley or Mick Hucknall. This is an excellent back-up for the pragmatic parent, who realises their offspring's true calling in life. Thanks to this set, my son Horace was able to gain his third star within just six months of employment. A marvelously entertaining and educational set for the up-and-coming no-hoper.
Wayne Redhart- West Mids

This has kept my children entertained the light at the top makes them feel they are really cooking it and the drinks machine is really realistic.
Anon-UK

Having a toy that promotes fast food to children, at a time when obesity is rising rapidly is just sick. I can't believe anyone is mad enough to recommend this as a children's gift.
Geoff-London

If your kids love KFC they will love this toy my kids spend hours playing this the toy and I get involved too great set up and working voices fun for 3-8 years old.
R L Deans- Cambuslang UK

Produced under licence by Casdon the 521 has revolutionised playtime. I was hearing so much chatter about the product that I decided to test it out myself. Casdon agreed to send me a play counter to review and I haven't been disappointed.

What the pictures fail to get across is the quality of the chinese craftsmanship that goes into it's manufacture. This really is a sturdy plaything that will serve your child well. There are interactive elements too as seen in the promotional video.

Children can play at replicating or even creating new burgers using the supplied food pieces and have hours of fun learning KFC's marketing slogans. However, there are one or two discrepencies that will hinder true KFC fan's enjoyment of the product.

As we all know KFC uses pressure fryers to lock in the moisture and taste to their chicken, the Casdon 521 relies on a sole drop basket model fryer, not consistent with KFC's high quality cooking methods.

The only other serious concern is the proportional anomolies. For example the tray provided is nowhere near big enough to take all the constituents of a meal and a side order of beans or coleslaw is roughly the same size as a drink.

If however you are able to overlook these small inconsistencies you or your child will surely have hours of fun .