Sep 12, 2006 7:07 pm US/Central
New Debate Starts Over Foie Gras Ban
Two Aldermen Want To Repeal City's Ban
by Jon Duncanson
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
As the Chicago City Council prepares to vote whether to override Mayor
Richard M. Daley's veto of the city's big-box ordinance, another big reversal is cooking at City Hall, one that could bring a gourmet delicacy back to menus in Chicago.
CBS 2's Jon Duncanson has the latest round in the fight over
foie gras.
To some, the city's ban on foie gras has made Chicago a laughing stock. "We can't let ourselves be put into a position where people are going to be laughing at us," said Ald.
Bernard Stone (50th).
Stone, along with Ald.
Burton Natarus (42nd), is leading an effort to overturn the foie gras ban. Foie gras is the fattened liver of a goose or duck that's been overfed. Some say it's animal cruelty.
CBS 2 found Ald.
Joe Moore (49th), sponsor of the foie gras ban, at a restaurant Tuesday. "48 of my colleagues voted in support of this ordinance. It passed. The mayor didn't veto it. Let's move on," Moore said.
At Copper Blue restaurant, executive chef Michael Tsonton says as to foie gras or not to foie gras, "It's a matter of choice. We just want you to stay out of our kitchens. You can come in and take a peek to make sure the place is clean. We're fine with that. We have fire extinguishers, our hood works. But don't tell us what we can and can't cook."
Stone said, "I didn't know what fois gras was until we voted on this. If you asked me what chopped liver was, I could tell you what chopped liver is. But I didn't know what foie gras was."
"I do now. God do i know what it is," Stone added.
Ultimately the alderman's fear is that Chicago will be derided in the minds of potential tourists and conventioneers. And if it's going to hurt the city he says change it.
We've heard rumblings that there may indeed be support to overturn it. We should find out in about a month, when an ordinance to repeal the ban comes up for a vote.
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