THE CHAINS— Fast-food chain Chick-fil-A is attempting an image makeover by promising guests a free deal throughout the month of February: According to a press release, it'll dole out free 16-ounce cups of coffee all month, with no purchase necessary. The complimentary coffee will be available hot or iced, with beans by Thrive Farmers. [EaterWire]
MELBOURNE— Chef Heston Blumenthal is boldly taking a stand against all you food pornographers: The Sydney Herald Sun reports Fat Duck's hotly anticipated Melbourne pop-up, which debuts tomorrow, will ban all flash photography and other photo-taking techniques that interfere with other guests, including "guests shifting around the dishes and standing to shoot." Otherwise, Instagramming the $525 multicourse meal is welcome, and a spokesperson notes that "we appreciate it's a special occasion [for many diners] and will ensure the guests can capture every moment." Maybe a cell-phone charging course is in order? [Herald-Sun]
NEW JERSEY— The seventh-annual NJ Food & Wine Festival is set for March 20 to 22, 2015, and the line-up of participating chefs has been announced: Manresa chef/owner David Kinch is this year's "guest of honor," with Blanca's Carlo Mirarchi acting as the "VIP Grand Tasting Guest Chef." The two-day festival features events like a Kinch-cooked dinner, a "Garden State Chef Showdown," and the Grand Tasting, which will also feature NYC chefs Brooks Headley and Bryce Shuman. More information and tickets available here. [EaterWire]