Chefs Celebrate the Glorious Return of Foie Gras

This afternoon, the U.S. District Court for California's Central District invalidated California's ban on foie gras, which had been in effect since July 2012. And now that the ban — officially known as "California Health and Safety Code Section 25982" — has been revoked (read the full judgement here), chefs in California and elsewhere are celebrating in myriad ways: Some are promising the delicacy will be on menus as early as tonight, some are dreaming up new foie dishes, and some, like José Andrés, are straight-up giving away foie treats. The culinary world's reaction, below.

For foie fans in Los Angeles, chef José Andrés is offering free cotton candy foie gras treats (which are usually on his Las Vegas Bazaar menu for $8 a pop):

@eatersf @Eater toMorrow Free cotton Candy Foie Gras to All!!!! @BazaarLA @SLSBeverlyHills just stop at the door from 5 to 7!!

— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) January 7, 2015

In San Francisco, chef David Bazirgan is ready to whip out the foie in a four-course tasting menu at Dirty Habit, exclusively available tonight:

... While in Los Angeles, Eater LA is tracking many upcoming foie gras menu additions, which currently include foie gras supplements at Melisse and an all-foie dinner at Terrine.

Back on Twitter, many chefs and restaurant owners are vaguely promising foie will return to menus ASAP:

Excited to see pan-seared @HudsonValleyFG #foiegras in our future! http://t.co/LzU1tDKaCA

— Bouchon BH (@BouchonBH) January 7, 2015

#FoieGras. On the menu. TONIGHT. Reserve here: http://t.co/35tQqKEg5v

— Jardinière (@JardiniereSF) January 7, 2015

@AeroGenevieve @thedapperdiner @bazsf @humphryslocombe foie has been obtained...now, to the fun part.

— Craftsman and Wolves (@craftsmanwolves) January 7, 2015

Now that #FoieIsLegal - look out for the return of our Foie Gras ice cream sammies #StayTuned pic.twitter.com/sCyojon3i3

— humphryslocombe (@humphryslocombe) January 7, 2015

So excited to add some amazing Foie gras dishes to @PetittroisLA and @TroismecLA menus!!! Justice.

— Ludo Lefebvre (@chefludo) January 7, 2015

Other chefs are raising an air-toast to the internet:

Welcome back Foie Gras! A golden lobe for a golden state!

— kris morningstar (@krismorningstar) January 7, 2015

Three cheers for #California! #foiegrasreturns! #foie #foiegras pic.twitter.com/bq9oXx1I4I

— Chef Charlie Palmer (@CharliePalmerGP) January 7, 2015

And some chefs are taking the occasion to come clean:

I have had a "gift" on my menu ever since foie gras was banned. I guess it is time to change the name of the dish. #FoieGras

— Jesse Mallgren (@madronachef) January 7, 2015

Been serving non-gavage foie the entire time. Fuck gov't hypocrisy.

— ari taymor (@AriTaymor) January 7, 2015