Mediavore

Michael Voltaggio Hits The Gulf; Costco Cuts Coke

Top Chef contestant Michael Voltaggio will team with chef Denis Depoitre in a French molecular dinner for Ritz-Carlton’s Al Dana restaurant in Qatar this week. [Gulf Times]

• Hershey and Ferrero are considering a bid for Cadbury, which could spark a bidding war. [WSJ]

• Costco has stopped carrying Coca-Cola products because of a pricing dispute. [AP]

• Nestle has upped its instant coffee promotions by handing out free samples through city street marketers and Twitter to compete with Starbuck’s Via. [MenaFN]

• Chipotle will open its first European location this April in London. [Reuters]

• Heavy rains in the Midwest during growing season will likely lead to a canned pumpkin shortage this year, warns Libby’s. [Diner’s Journal/NYT]

• Fifteen percent of Ireland’s restaurants have shut down since the recession began. [SF Examiner]

• Minute Maid juices are rolling out new packaging. [Ad Age]

Michael Voltaggio Hits The Gulf; Costco Cuts Coke