Chicago - July 23, 2007

Junk Food Nation

Junk Food Cart

As a kid, you’d sneak sweets into the grocery cart, praying they’d be camouflaged by asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and other healthy unmentionables.

Caught red-handed, you’d gaze longingly at the box of Ding Dongs while being wheeled away from the scene of the crime. Talk about trauma.

Oh but there’s nothing forbidden about Viand chef Steven Chiappetti’s dessert extravaganza, The Junk Food Cart. The mini meal-on-wheels is filled with all-natural variations on classic, prepackaged confections, free of preservatives and packed with gooey goodness.

Twinkies become Tahitian vanilla bean cream inside mini yellow cakes. Oreo-style chocolate meringue cookie sandwiches are stuffed with Italian buttercream. You’ll also find variations on Hostess Cupcakes, oatmeal peanut butter and molasses cookies, and extra fudgy brownies.

Even more delectable, you can order the Junk Food Cart online, eliminating any potential run-ins with the candy police.

Cha-ching.

Available at Viand, 155 East Ontario Street, between Michigan Avenue and North Saint Clair Street (312-255-8505 or viandchicago.com); online at junkfoodcart.com.