Dressed To Spill

You wear your business lunches well-or, at least, now you can. In an innovative twist destined to keep messy eaters from tying themselves into knots of worry, the Dallas-based wholesaler and product manufacturing company Venture Initiatives Inc. is selling a line of "pre-stained" neckties.

Pre-stained neckties? We kid you not. Thankfully, the food stains on these quirky silk ties aren't real-they just appear to be. And with anything from chicken wings and tossed salad to wine and a sampling of desserts adorning your tie of choice, you'll never again need fear the dreaded food slippage.

Retailing for $30 apiece, the Tie Cuisine line (complete with an accompanying recipe packet) is carried by a select number of restaurant chains and hotels nationwide. Tie connoisseurs can also fill up their plates-er, make that closets-by calling Venture Initiatives at (800) 767-3254. Lest you're wondering, these colorful ties can be cleaned. We don't, however, recommend tasting them.-Debra Phillips

This article was originally published in the August 1997 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Dressed To Spill.