• Earvin “Magic” Johnson divested his interest in Starbucks, selling 105 franchises back to the company. [L.A. Times]
• The fall of the Gordon Ramsay empire will apparently never get old: Now his father-in-law has stepped down as CEO of Gordo’s company. [Daily Mail]
• Before chefs took hold of it, original California cuisine was best expressed by the coverage and recipes in Sunset Magazine. [N.Y. Times]
• Following his arrest, stemming from an altercation outside of New Taste Dumpling House, San Gabriel Mayor Albert Huang is resigning, citing media attention that has adversely affected his family. [Wire Update]
• A recent poll of 4,000 restaurant industry workers from various states showed that 63% admitted to cooking or serving food while sick. [S.F. Gate]
• Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill was recently a guest-judge on Iron Chef. [Nashville Scene]
• The latest victims of cheap foreign imports: American catfish farmers. [USA Today]
• Iron Chef Michael Symon is now one step closer to becoming Ohio’s version of Rocco DiSpirito: As his portfolio of TV shows grows, he’s been forced to close one of is Cleveland-area restaurants. [Chronicle-Telegram]
• Never Ending Pasta Bowls for everyone: Red Lobster and Olive Garden are expanding into the Middle East. [Orlando Business Journal]