Famous Food

Scores of female McDonald's employees are staging a #MeToo walkout across 10 major cities ... protesting the company's alleged mishandling of sexual harassment complaints.

The strike is slated to begin during the lunch rush in major cities, including L.A., Miami, New Orleans, San Francisco and Chicago. The walkout won't go down at all McDees, only some. It's the first-ever nationwide walkout in protest of sexual harassment.

McDonald's employees are protesting what they say is widespread sexual harassment by coworkers or superiors ... alleging they groped or propositioned them for sex. The employees -- in conjunction with an advocacy group fighting for a minimum wage of $15 per hour -- say they were either retaliated against or fired after reporting the alleged incidents to supervisors.

The employees are demanding, among other things, mandatory sexual harassment training for managers and a better enforcement of its "zero-tolerance" sexual harassment policy.

Another advocacy group also plans to fly a plane over McDonald's corporate headquarters in Chicago with a banner that'll read, "McDonald's: Stop Sexual Harassment."

Meghan Markle made secret visits to cook with victims of a horrifying fire as part of her first solo project as a member of the Royal Family, and she's helping release a charity cookbook with the women's recipes.

The Duchess of Sussex was hands-on in a community kitchen in West London, located near the Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people -- Britain's deadliest fire since World War II.

Meghan says she felt an immediate connection to the women at the Hubb Community Kitchen at the Al Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, and newly released images make it clear her presence lifted everyone's spirits in the wake of tragedy.

Meghan wrote the foreword to the charity book, "Together: Our Community Cookbook." It features family recipes, with roots stretching across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Meghan helped spearhead the cookbook project as a way to raise money for the kitchen, which initially provided a place for fire victims to make fresh meals. It's since evolved into a support network, and profits from the book will help cover operation costs.

Here's the story, 'Brady Bunch' neighbors ... HGTV is coming to town whether you like it or not, and they're armed for a battle -- cookies, anyone??

TMZ has obtained a letter Lando Entertainment fired off to a bunch of neighbors around the San Fernando Valley home that was used for 'Brady' exterior shots. As you know, HGTV just bought the crib, and Lando is producing the remodel project.

The letter seems likes a pretty nice gesture, especially because it came with fresh cookies from SusieCakes.

The chocolate chips and snickerdoodles were clearly sent to appease pissed off neighbors. As we first reported, a lot of residents were none too pleased a full-blown production was happening on their street.

In addition to the sweets ... Lando offered the name of an exec neighbors can hit up to voice concerns about the project. The company says the exec will be available to "field questions, address problems, resolve issues and generally serve as your conduit to the production company."

Lando is completely remodeling the interior of the home to match the original soundstage where the show was shot ... so, it's likely there will be major construction that could temporarily disrupt neighbors' lives. Lando's promising to give them a heads-up when the big changes go down.

Alex Rodriguez became the wealthiest burger store janitor on earth Sunday -- when he busted out the mop and went to town at Wahlburgers ... all because the Yankees got swept by the Red Sox.

It was all part of a bet A-Rod made with Mark Wahlberg during the Yankes, Sox series back in August. If the Yanks lost, Alex had to work at Mark's family burger joint.

Not only did the Yanks lose the series, they got SWEPT -- so, Alex reported for duty on Sunday ... and, to his credit, he did it all with a smile on his face.

"Last month, @markwahlberg and his @RedSox brought the broom out and swept my @Yankees. So today, I got the mop," Alex posted on social media.

"It was time to me to hold up my end of the deal and report for duty to the @wahlburgers location near Fenway Park. Today, I had to do a little bit of everything - greet customers, flip burgers, clear tables, and yes, mop the bathroom floor. But what I thought was going to be a tough day turned out to be a day I really enjoyed."

As for Mark, he gloated.

"Needless to say, Alex failed miserable in his prediction ... So, now he has to show the greatest fans in the world how to get his hands dirty and serve up some delicious Wahlburgers. What do you say Alex? It’s time to go to work, buddy. Start flipping ’em."

Alex says he hopes to make another bet with Mark in the future and get some revenge.

The U.S. Open tennis fan who disgusted viewers by dunking chicken tenders in soda says her quirky, acquired taste will become socially acceptable ... if someone would just invent a new condiment!!

Alexa Greenfield tells TMZ ... she's been dunking her tenders in ice cold Coca-Cola since she was young and her dad told her it was a way to cool the food down (so really, this is all his fault).

She says she knew it was strange, so she gave up the habit for years when she became an adult. That is, until she said screw it ... the heart stomach wants what it wants!

Alexa's fully aware most people find her cola dunking disgusting, but adds the right dipping sauce would make people realize Coca-Cola flavoring is "really actually good."

As for her notorious TV moment, Alexa tells us she was with her nephews, and told them to keep her dipping routine a secret, but the U.S. Open cameras blew up her spot.

Malibu was teaming with celebs Saturday at the 37th Annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off.

Tons of people showed up ... Kourtney Kardashian, Orlando Bloom, Anthony Kiedis, Robin Thicke, Sofia Richie, Larsa Pippen, Caitlyn Jenner, Adam Sandler, Simon Cowell and Gerard Butler.

The cook-off pits anyone who's up for it to put their chili talents on the line ... a panel of judges decides which bowl is most worthy ... and which bowls aren't.

It's really more like a carnival, with lots of rides for the kids. Simon brought his son and protege, 4-year-old Eric. Kourtney brought her kids as well.

Kanye West couldn't give two f***s about his Yeezy slides being two sizes too small -- or that he was even wearing sandals to a wedding over the weekend -- but he's got 2 f***s for you.

Ye was spotted leaving Nobu in Malibu Tuesday night in an appropriate dinner outfit, complete with a pair of shoes ... which actually seemed to fit! He was dining sans Kim ... she was on the other side of town at Madeo in Bev Hills.

Paps peppered Mrs. West with questions about the now-infamous, kid-size slides -- which Kanye wore to 2 Chainz's nuptials last Saturday -- but all she had to say was that they were a dope fashion choice. Much to the photog's dismay ... it doesn't sound like the couple will be repeating with a Yeezy footwear handout like they did a couple years back. Rats!

Interestingly enough, Kanye previewed the latest of his Yeezy shoe collection, the 700 V3 Tuesday ... and it appears he was rocking them when he went out too.

Animal Crackers are now FREE ... from their cages, that is.

It took 116 years, but the packaging of Barnum's Animals no longer depicts the exotic creatures in pens.

Nabisco's popular snack now features a zebra, an elephant, a lion, a giraffe and a gorilla roaming free among grass and trees.

Previously, packaging showed animals and their young locked up in cages.

The stark change has been driven by PETA. In April 2016, the animal rights organization gave notice to Nabisco's parent company, Mondelez International, saying circuses would shock, chain, beat and whip animals in order to intimidate them and force them into performing tricks.

PETA also brought to light dubious practices like circuses separating mothers from their babies and holding animals in chains and cages.

Circuses across the country have also been undergoing change. Ringling Bros. shut down in May 2017 after 146 years in operation, the result of mounting pressure from animal welfare groups, skyrocketing operation costs, legal battles and declining ticket sales.

How's this for a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T? One of Aretha Franklin's favorite joints paid tribute to the late singer with a gigantic banner making it crystal clear ... she'll never be forgotten.

Hollywood's famous Pink's Hot Dogs has good reason to bow to The Queen ... Aretha loved her some Pink's, in particular the spicy Polish dog -- loaded!

Simple, yet mouthwatering -- mustard, chili and onions. Aretha loved Pink's so much, she had it brought to one of her shows in downtown L.A. and chowed down during intermission. When she came back onstage she wore a ballgown and a Pink's hat for the rest of the show!

And Pink's traveled for Aretha ... for one of her birthday celebrations in Detroit, she flew out a Pink's staffer to serve up the famous dogs.

BTW ... Aretha was not alone. Sometimes the line for Pink's stretches for more than a block. She was a taste-maker with good taste.

People all over the world felt a special connection to Anthony Bourdain ... and now's your chance to live like the beloved chef and TV host.

Bourdain's New York City apartment is available for rent. His 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo is listed for $14,200 per month. It's located at the Time Warner Center on Columbus Circle.

The pad features views of the Hudson River and New York City skyline. It's decked out with hardwood floors and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Food was Bourdain's passion and claim to fame ... and the 'Parts Unknown' host's condo has a full kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances ... decked out with white marble countertops.

The building's a short walk from plenty of good eats. There's also a health club, spa, screening room, sundeck, concierge service and residents' lounge.

As you know ... Bourdain died 2 months ago in France from an apparent suicide.

He was 61.

Joel Robuchon, who has a seismic influence on French food turning it from stuffy to fun and accessible, is dead.

Robuchon's impact on food was so enormous, he was called "cook of the century" back in 1990. One of the things he did that has been enduring ... letting diners have a peek into how his food is cooked and plated. He was the first major chef to make it cool for diners to sit at a counter next to the kitchen.

Robuchon appeared on "Top Chef" and a variety of French cooking shows.

He was the holder of more Michelin stars than any chef in the world for years. As of 2016, he held 32 stars -- his peak. This year he had 31.

Perhaps his signature dish ... puree de pomme -- which you probably know as mashed potatoes. He prepared it simply, but it was amazing.

Robuchon died in Geneva from pancreatic cancer.

Joel was 73.

It looks like KFC's found its next Colonel Sanders -- The Mountain from "Game of Thrones" ... and he's in the Colonel's duds doing something very Mountain-esque.

TMZ got video of Hafthor Julius Bjornsson -- aka Thor, the 2018 World's Strongest Man -- decked out in the famous white suit for a one-of-a-kind video shoot ... for the record books.

We're told it was a success, and along with also being a 4-time Europe's Strongest Man winner and a 7-time Strongest Man in his native Iceland ... he now holds the record for pulling the most fried chicken!

That's finger lickin' impressive.

It's unclear if The Mountain's officially joining the club of actors turned KFC spokesmen like Darrell Hammond, Norm Macdonald, Jim Gaffigan, George Hamilton and Rob Riggle, but if he does ... he'll easily be the strongest of the group.

Jon Bon Jovi gives lobsters a good name ... his own!

The rock star surprised shoppers and fans at Long Island supermarket Stew Leonard's Saturday by popping in to promote his new line of rosé ... which he launched earlier this year with his son.

We're told as soon as word got out Bon Jovi was there, people started showing up to the store in droves ... so police had to be called for crowd control.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden's bromance is back in full effect -- as if it ever stopped -- and they're back in D.C. for a power lunch.

The former Prez and Veep hit up Dog Tag Bakery Monday in the Beltway ... surprising the hell outta everyone at the nonprofit bakery. Dog Tag serves as a "living business school" for veterans looking to enter the civilian workforce.

Barry and Joe chowed down on a couple of sandwiches -- ham and gruyere and turkey with brie -- and a fennel salad. They also indulged in a mint-basil olive oil cake, chocolate chip cookie and brownie.

Dog Tag's CEO, Meghan Ogilvie, told The Washingtonian their appearance freaked out everybody, and the duo shook everyone's hands, took selfies and recognized each of the service members who work there.

The founder of Papa John's is feeling burned by his former company ... and he's demanding some answers from the pizza giant's board of directors.

John Schnatter filed a lawsuit in Delaware Thursday to get Papa John's to disclose all documents related to its response to him using the n-word. Schnatter wants to see the docs, "because of the unexplained and heavy-handed way in which the company has treated him since the publication of a story that falsely accused him of using a racial slur."

In the suit, Schnatter says it's impossible the board took an appropriate amount of time to make informed decisions ... which included terminating certain business agreements.

As we reported ... he resigned as chairman of Papa John's International, and also left the University of Louisville's Board of Trustees, after he was called out for using the n-word on a conference call in May. Schnatter insists reports falsely characterized the way he used the word.

3:20 PM PT -- The brawl video has caught the attention of corporate, a rep tells us the company is investigating the incident. The rep adds, "We do not condone the behavior depicted in this video."

One McDonald's customer learned a tough lesson: DO NOT try to steal from the soda machine, and definitely don't pick a fight with employees, 'cause ya might get your ass mopped.

A video posted Wednesday night shows a young lady getting into a blowout with 2 staffers at an undisclosed McDonald's -- and it's one of the worst ass beatings we've ever seen. One much taller staffer tossed the customer like a rag doll ... literally.

Hair is pulled, faces are smashed, boobs pop out -- and all of that happened to the customer. Spoiler alert: David doesn't beat Goliath this time.