This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Foie Gras Hactivists Harass Local Chef
Photo of a foie dish at Petrossian in 2010 by foodforfel via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
Recently, two Orange County restaurants -- Arc and The Broadway -- were threatened with lawsuits by PETA for their serving of foie gras. The fattened goose livers have become quite the political issue amongst food lovers, chefs, and animal rights activists since they were banned last summer, and some, like chefs Noah Blom and Amar Santana of the two OC restos, decided to gift foie regardless of the law.
However, last week Hudson Valley Foie Gras' accounts were hacked, and the personal information of 1,200 of those who purchase foie gras was released online. Santana, who is the chef at the Broadway in Laguna Beach, was repeatedly harassed by incensed animal rights activists after his phone number was listed, along with his address and credit card information on the North American Animal Liberation Press Office website.
The L.A. Times reported on the story, and spoke to Santana:
"I knew they [the animal rights contingent] were brutal, but I didn't know they were so big and powerful," Santana said. "It's crazy to me. If I want to eat foie gras, let me eat it. It's not their business." Federal and state authorities are investigating [just who did the hacking], said Marcus Henley, Hudson Valley's operations manager.
"I hope they're found because they performed a serious criminal act," he said. "We can have arguments and discussions, but when you step outside of a democratic process and go and intimidate people, attack and release people's personal information, those are principle issues. It's not the American way."
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
