The only exemption from the rule could be nonprofits and businesses with less than $500,000 in annual revenue, but only if they can prove that discontinuing the use of these materials would impact their financial health. For the first year, administration officials are also saying there will be no fines on violations of the ban. The Restaurant Action Alliance, a lobbying group, condemned the decision, suggesting that it would increase costs for eateries while saying that the city should instead focus on creating a plan to recycle the material.

To read more about the new ban in New York City on plastic foam in food establishments, click here

With the ongoing vegetable craze and emphasis on local, organic produce, chefs have to get smart about their shopping methods. Dan Barber, the chef probably most associated with the emphasis of seasonal produce on menus, recalls his experience at the Greenmarket a decade ago compared to now, “Ten years ago, when we opened Blue Hill in New York City, if I wasn’t there till 10 a.m., it was no problem, now, when we go at 7 a.m., we’re in a panic to get what we need.”

Due to the vegetable-centric menu craze still going strong, chefs are challenged to get the produce they have their minds set on, and are finding ways to get an advantage over others to obtain it. Barber’s secret is to contact the growers during seed-buying time early on in the year: “You have them in for dinner in the cold of winter, with the seed catalogue, then you can get into their minds — hell, I’ll even buy them the seed.”

Amanda Cohen, chef and owner of what will soon be the new ‘veggie’ Dirt Candy, explains that kindness is key in getting your produce at the market, “You have to be really nice to make sure your produce is set aside; asking about their family, inviting them in for dinner — some chefs push to the front, like, ‘Hey do you have my order?’ That doesn’t work.” Chef José Ramírez-Ruiz, chef at the vegetable centric restaurant Semilla, has his own trick: he pays his growers as soon as possible to spare them the fuss with invoicing. “Cash is king. I don’t pay 15 days from now. I buy a product and I pay for it in that moment.”

To read about other chef’s methods of obtaining the exact produce they want and need, click here

This past year certainly showed an increase in hotel restaurants in New York City. This phenomenon of restaurants with big name chefs appearing in hotels will surely continue into this year. Phil Suarez, a frequent partner of big name chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, recently told the post that they have been toying with some ideas for a hotel project in Nolita. This would be Phil Suarez’s first hotel project.

According to the Post, Suarez stated, “Jean-Georges is the star. He is so prolific, he will come up with something new and exciting for that area…At the moment we are in the early stages of discussion.” Jean-Georges recently opened several spaces in the Edition hotel in Miami including a food hall, restaurant and bar. A representative has also confirmed that his latest project, ABC Home Grown, will also be opening this spring. For more information on the potential hotel restaurant project in Nolita, click here.