Global Organic Food & Beverages Market 2019 research affords a number one review of the business enterprise inclusive of characterizations, companies, displays and organisation chain shape. The evaluation is recommended with Organic Food & Beverages market trends research, evaluation additionally covers each the winning and earlier cutting-edge market developments, drivers and barriers faced through Organic Food & Beverages Market.

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Organic food is food produced by methods that comply with the standards of organic farming. Standards vary worldwide, but organic farming in general features practices that strive to cycle resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Organizations regulating organic products may restrict the use of certain pesticides and fertilizers in farming. In general, organic foods are also usually not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents or synthetic food additives.

There is widespread public belief that organic food is safer, more nutritious, and better tasting than conventional food, which has largely contributed to the development of an organic food culture. Consumers purchase organic foods for different reasons, including concerns about the effects of conventional farming practices on the environment, human health, and animal welfare.

The global Organic Food & Beverages market was valued at xx million US$ in 2018 and will reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of xx% during 2019-2025.

This report focuses on Organic Food & Beverages volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Organic Food & Beverages market size by analyzing historical data and future prospect.

Regionally, this report categorizes the production, apparent consumption, export and import of Organic Food & Beverages in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India.

For each manufacturer covered, this report analyzes their Organic Food & Beverages manufacturing sites, capacity, production, ex-factory price, revenue and market share in global market.

Executive Summary

Moreover, the analysis report categorizes the worldwide Organic Food & Beverages markets by leading companies/products, state, category, and user. This study categorizes the worldwide Organic Food & Beverages product breakdown knowledge by makers, area, category and presentations, additionally analyses the marketplace, chances, and tasks.

Organic Food & Beverages market competition by top manufacturers/players, with volume, revenue (Million USD), Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data, Manufacturing Base and market share for each manufacturer/player:

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Organic Food & Beverages market report provides the market status and outlook of major countries, from players perspective, regions and current industry. The report analyses the topmost manufacturers worldwide and classifies the Organic Food & Beverages market by types and applications/end industry.

Organic Food & Beverages market provides geographic growth analysis by regional product types and end-user applications. This report covers key developed countries and major emerging markets to understand the importance of the Organic Food & Beverages market by country and how this is changing.

Highlights of the report:

Organic Food & Beverages Market by Types:

Organic Food & Beverages Market by Applications:

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Organic Food & Beverages market is the useful resource of market forecast and growth areas for Organic Food & Beverages market, competitive landscape and strategic recommendations, future and recent advancements in market, latest market trends and emerging Organic Food & Beverages market opportunities. Also, we offer the customizationin reports to get the summarized data and trends as re the buyers requirements.

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Organic Food & Beverages Market 2020 - Globally Market Size, Analysis, Share, Research, Business Growth and Forecast to 2025 - The News Kahn

Clomazone is an agrochemical which comprises Isoxazole which is bound to a 2-chlorobenzyl group. The compound is responsible for suppressing the biosynthesis of chlorophyll and other pigments. The compound serves as a herbicide in the agrochemical industry, and is sold under different brand names such as Commence, Command, and Kalif. Although the market for clomazone has been growing in most of the regions, it hasnt seen a similar trend in emerging economies such as China over the past few years. Several manufacturers of clomazone have ceased the production of the compound, citing issues such as higher production cost as well as production barriers pertaining to pollution. Other than production, the herbicide is sold to areas such as Northeast of China. In addition, more than half of the clomazone manufactured in China is exported to various developed and emerging regions such as North America, South America, and Europe.

Planning to lay down strategy for the next few years? Our report can help shape your plan better.

The global market for clomazone has been witnessing a noticeable increase owing to growth of the herbicides industry. Growing demand for organic food is also expected to boost the demand for clomazone in herbicides over the forecast period. Over the recent years, the global industry for organic food has witnessed significant growth. Rising concerns of consumers in terms of environmental protection, and food safety are some of the major reasons driving the growth of the organic food industry. The growth of such agrochemicals in emerging economies is anticipated to provide new opportunities for the clomazone market. In addition to improving the food security, agriculture also plays an important role in enhancing the economic growth of emerging economies.

Approximately one billion of the global population does not have proper access to adequate nutrition and food. Increasing focus of the seed industry towards crop protection is leading towards the development of various methods for seed treatment, which in turn are boosting the demand for herbicides thereby fueling the demand for clomazone.

Clomazone is widely used in various fruit and other crops such as apple and rice. Clomazone helps keep crops disease free and healthy, thereby enhancing the productivity of farmers. The crop industry is focused on protecting crops from various diseases and pests. Different methods of crop protection such as usage of herbicides and seed treatment are being implemented by farmers worldwide. Clomazone is less toxic in nature vis--vis other herbicides; as a result, it has garnered global approval for usage in fruit and rice crops. Demand for weed removing chemicals such as clomazone is likely to rise over the next few years, led by rising production of food sources such as apples and rice.

Demand for clomazone was highest in North America owing to prevalence of the significant genetically modified crops industry where these herbicides are used for seed treatment purposes. Asia-Pacific is likely to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period despite recent market slowdown in China. Emerging countries such as China and India are expected to dominate the clomazone industry due to the increasing awareness for organic food among the population generated by government support. Environmental hazards associated with other herbicides coupled with the promotion of clomazone by certain government agencies to create awareness among the masses are other vital factors driving the market. The market is expected to be the largest in countries such as Argentina and Brazil due to the consumption of clomazone on a large scale in the genetically modified crop industry.

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Cheminova, Inc., Bessen Chemical Co. Ltd., Makhteshim Agan Industries Ltd, and Willowood USA are some of the key companies involved in the clomazone industry.

This post was originally published on Market Research Sheets

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Clomazone Market to Perceive Substantial Growth by the End 2023 - Market Research Sheets

The growing awareness about the benefits of soy products is expected to drive the growth of the globalorganic soy protein market. The growing health awareness among consumers is expected to boost the demand for organic soy protein. The trend of shifting from dairy products to soy is gaining traction worldwide and is estimated to boost the growth of the market. The price of soy protein products is cheaper than other similar products. This will help drive their sales and consumption. Soy protein is a complete protein source for human body and comprises amino acids. Organic soy protein market is also driven by the increasingly turning vegan population as it fulfills their protein demand. Organic soy protein is also in demand from people suffering from chronic diseases, diabetes, and obesity. The increasing popularity of organic products will also aid the growth of this market.

Increasing recommendations for healthy eating by doctors and rising awareness among consumers about the side effects of consuming unhealthy foods is fueling the demand for organic soy proteins. An increasing shift by consumers from meat products to soy products will also help this markets growth in the period from 2016 and 2026. The demand for these products is also increasing from those consumers who are lactose intolerant and cannot have milk and milk products. On the other hand, the market is threatened by the availability of non-organic soy protein, which is even cheaper. This will restrict the growth of the market.

Soya protein is the least expensive source of dietary protein, also entitled as complete protein for a human body which contain amino acid. Todays supermarket aisle are filled with many meat alternative for vegan or vegetarian to fulfil their dietary demand of protein rich nutritious food such as salad dressings, soups, fake meats, infant formula, breads, cereals, tofu and supplements. From food varieties to hand lotion to firefighting foam, soya is a versatile humble bean. Compared to varied range of applications, dairy alternative application of organic soy protein is projected to have a significant growth followed by meat alternative application. Concentrated form of organic soya protein is comparatively in higher demand; from both consumer and manufacturer end. As it has excellence to replace the significant percentage of protein in other products without affecting their taste, texture and color. Whereas it has non allergic character which makes it favorable among manufacturer.

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Obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases are arising with significant percentage of population for their improper modern life style. It is not limited to any particular region but spreading worldwide. To control and cure these diseases doctors are recommending healthy eating. People are becoming more aware of modern life styles side effect and prefer precaution over cure. This shift from traditional dairy and meat product to soya product is the main factor for organic soy protein market growth. Rising popularity of organic food among healthy eater is another driving factor propelling organic soy protein market.

Besides experiencing unprecedented market growth, organic soy protein is not only facing competition from non-organic soya food source but also from other organic oilseed products such as flax and sunflower. Some people are allergic to soya or high protein intake. These two factors acts as a restrain in the growth of organic soy protein market.

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Organic Soy Protein Market Expectation Surges With Rising Demand And Changing Trends 2016 2026 - Market Reports Observer

HTF Market Intelligence released a new research report of 100 pages on title Global Organic Beef Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regional Forecast 2025 with detailed analysis, forecast and strategies. The study covers key regions that includes North America Country (United States, Canada), South America, Asia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea), Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy), Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC) and important players such as Danish Crown (Denmark), Tyson (United States), Meyer (United States), Perdue Farms (United States), OBE (Australia), Australian Beef Co Pty Ltd (Australia) etc.

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Summary:

Industry Background:

The production of an organic beef meat falls under a holistic approach of organic agriculture or organic farming. The beef meat is obtained by feeding cows only on the plants and vegetations which excludes the use of the synthetically compounded pesticides, fertilizers, growth regulators and livestock feed additives is categorized under the meat of organic beef. The production of organic beef meat reduces the jeopardy of potential public health complications which is occurring by prohibiting the use of antibiotics, hormones, and pesticides, which are assumed to have endocrine disrupting, teratogenic, immunosuppressive, carcinogenic, and nervous effects. Thus the organic beef meat production is an alternative to the conventional one and is a rapidly emerging market in response to an increasing consumers demand for the better meat quality, test and improved food safety. This growth is primarily driven by Health benefits associated with organic foods.

Globally, a noticeable market trend is evident concerns of consumers over food safety . Major Vendors, such as JBS (Brazil) , Danish Crown (Denmark) , Tyson (United States) , Meyer (United States) , Perdue Farms (United States) , OBE (Australia) , Australian Beef Co Pty Ltd (Australia) , Eversfield (United Kingdom) , Verde Farms (United States) , Blackwood (Australia) and Arcadian (Australia) etc have either set up their manufacturing facilities or are planning to start new provision in the dominated region in the upcoming years.

Arcadian Organic & Natural Meat Co, Australias leading supplier of organic and natural meat, announced its latest steps to continue the global expansion of its brands

Regulatory Insights:

Organic meat production is governed by USDAs national organic standards implemented in 2002. These standards state that animals must be raised using organic management practices and that organically-raised livestock must be separated from their conventional counterparts. The use of growth-enhancing hormones and sub-therapeutic antibiotics is prohibited. Cattle can receive preventive medical care (e.g., vaccines) and dietary vitamin and mineral supplements. Cattle can only be fed 100% organically-produced feed that is free of animal by-products. Furthermore, cattle must have access to the outdoors, shade, exercise areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight. Organically-raised cows must have access to pasture

Market Trend:

concerns of consumers over food safety

Clean labeling

Market Drivers:

Health benefits associated with organic foods

Challenges:

Product recalls

Opportunities:

Growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) has led to increased participation from foreign and private players that boosts the retail infrastructure

HTF follow a focused and realistic research framework that provides the ability to study the crucial market dynamics in several regions across the world. Moreover, an in-depth assessment is mostly conducted by our analysts on geographical regions to provide clients and businesses the opportunity to dominate in niche markets and expand in emerging markets across the globe. This market research study also showcase the spontaneously changing Vendors landscape impacting the growth of the market. Furthermore, our market researchers extensively analyse the products and services offered by multiple players competing to increase their market share and presence.

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Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Organic Beef Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regional Forecast 2025 Market:

Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Global Organic Beef Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regional Forecast 2025 market. (Introduction, Scope of the Report)

Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary the basic information of the Global Organic Beef Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regional Forecast 2025 Market. (Introduction)

Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Global Organic Beef Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regional Forecast 2025 (Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends, Opportunity, Restraints & Challenges)

Chapter 4: Presenting the Global Organic Beef Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regional Forecast 2025 Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis.

Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region 2013-2018

Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Global Organic Beef Market Insights by Application, Product Type, Competitive Landscape & Regional Forecast 2025 market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile

Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions.

Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source.

.Continued

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Organic Beef Market: Identify What Really Matter to Consumer at Some Point? - Market Reports Observer

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings gives a keynote address, January 6, 2016 at the CES 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Robyn Beck | AFP | Getty Images

As 2010 began, Netflix was a nascent challenger to the sprawling media industry, worth less than $8 a share.

Fast forward 10 years and a stock gain of more than 4,200% and Netflix is now a technology giant mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Apple and Facebook, with dozens of Wall Street analysts recommending Netflix shares to investors.

But a new decade has come. Are there any stocks with the potential for those kinds of gains in the next 10 years?

Finding stocks with this kind of potential is a difficult and risky task. Dozens of public companies could be crowned the high-growth disruptor of the next decade. In order to find some potential winners, CNBC analyzed megatrends just emerging similar to streaming a decade ago, and found companies whose fortunes are tied to those big changes.

The following seven companies appear ripe to surpass investor expectations, each in a different category: energy innovation, big data explosion, autonomy, travel, aging, agriculture and entertainment.

However, as UBS noted earlier this year, it is "important to differentiate between trends and fads," and that's what can make this so difficult. The firm advised investors to ground their strategies in three reliable long-term trends: population growth ("by 2050, the global population is expected to reach 10 billion, up from 7.5 billion today"), aging ("the population is getting older and living longer") and urbanization ("by 2050, it is expected that 68% of the world's population will reside in cities").

"From an investment perspective, we are focused on the problem-solving companies that are meeting the needs of a changing world," UBS said.

With that warning in mind, here are the stocks with the ambition of revolutionizing whole industries.

The shift to clean energy is no longer about if, it's when.

"We expect the drive towards cleaner energy to continue, as cleaner power generation is increasingly competitive versus traditional fossil-fuel-based technologies," Credit Suisse said in a January note.

The firm recently called out NextEra Energy, with its "world-leading large-scale renewable development business," as a top pick in the energy sector.

"Investors are more focused than ever on global warming's impact on the economy, society, unemployment and migration," Bank of America said in November, a change to which clean energy companies stand to benefit.

Coal, oil and gas may not be going away tomorrow, but Credit Suisse thinks the change in energy's economics is increasing alternative sources, which is where NextEra Energy comes in.

"Nearly half the company's assets and earnings originate from its market leading dominance in North American utility scale renewable power. We expect this segment to grow at least 15% for the next decade or longer," Credit Suisse said.

Additionally, the firm highlighted the "deep management bench" of NextEra Energy and a confidence in the company's "consistent investor friendly execution for the next decade or longer."

There's quite a long way to go before humans are fully replaced at the wheel of automobiles but Barclays sees an interim "multi-modal" beginning to further evolve transportation in cities across America.

Barclays said in June that it estimates "robotaxis can address a portion but not yet all of urban and suburban trips," replacing as many as 42 million vehicles in the U.S.

"Cutting the car ownership cord can open up dramatic growth in terms of VMT (vehicle miles traveled) for alternative mobility," Barclays said.

Ride-hailing company Lyft, which had its IPO in March, has several notable partnerships. Lyft is working with two driverless vehicle developers: Alphabet-owned Waymo and Irish company Aptiv. The former is deploying 10 vehicles in Phoenix on Lyft's network and the latter plans to test in Las Vegas. Additionally, Lyft partnered with Ford, which plans to launch a commercial autonomous vehicle with Lyft in 2021. Lyft is also working with autonomous vehicle software developer Magna.

Barclays noted that households with two or more cars are likely to be the first to look to mobility-as-a-service ("MaaS") alternatives, possibly benefiting Lyft.

"We see anyone driving less than 200-300 miles/month at risk of switching from ownership to MaaS," Barclays said.

Creative pricing structures could also be a boon to ride-hailing companies like Lyft, according to the firm.

"Subscription packages would likely encourage loyalty to ride-hail companies and also reduce cost/mile or monthly mobility payments to levels more attractive to current car owners," Barclays said.

Barclays also noted the evolving views of car ownership, especially on a regulatory basis.

"Local, regional and national policymakers globally are showing more appetite for discouraging car usage entirely in urban areas," the firm said. "Scandinavian countries show fewer cars/household than elsewhere in Europe highlighting that consumers do give up car ownership when governments start to actively discourage car usage and encourage alternative forms of mobility."

The world's biggest superpowers are in fierce pursuit of the next generation of technologies, all while demand for data continues to skyrocket.

"US and China [are] competing in nextgen technologies like quantum computing, semiconductors, AI, 5G communication networks, cybersecurity and space that go well beyond manufacturing and trade issues," Bank of America said in November.

A seemingly endless list of companies could be named from the subsectors of technology. But Broadcom, a company with a wide range of hardware and software products, was highlighted by Credit Suisse as a high-quality player in serving demand for internet of things ("IoT") and building 5G-capable devices.

"Over the next few years, the number of global connected devices is expected to grow exponentially, according to our technology analysts," Credit Suisse said.

5G is expected to drive growth, and Broadcom, especially through recent acquisitions, has been positioning itself to be a key manufacturer serving new devices and software.

While Sir Richard Branson's company has been focused on flying tourists to space for the past decade, Virgin Galactic recently has been talking to investors about the potential of high-speed, long distance travel, also known as point-to-point space travel. Virgin Galactic recently received investment from Boeing's venture arm HorizonX to explore developing a vehicle capable of flying around the world at high speeds.

Of the companies on this list, Virgin Galactic has the clearest risk: Flying people on rockets to space means the potential for a fatal accident. But three Wall Street firms Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse and Vertical Research Partners have begun covering Virgin Galactic's stock since it began trading in October and all three have buy ratings and bullish forecasts.

Morgan Stanley has especially highlighted Virgin Galactic's long-term plan, which is to apply what it's learning from flying tourists to develop the capability of flying passengers from one place in the world to another. If successful, Virgin Galactic would challenge the airlines. Morgan Stanley forecast $800 billion in annual sales for hypersonic travel by 2040.

"A viable space tourism business is what you pay for today but a chance to disrupt the multi-trillion-dollar airline [total addressable market] is what is really likely to drive the upside," Morgan Stanley said.

But Virgin Galactic needs to develop the technology in a reasonable amount of time, according to Credit Suisse, as other companies are working on supersonic or hypersonic vehicles.

"Unless Virgin is able to offer a similarly compelling point-to-point solution, the arrival of point-to-point by competitors could damage the overall [total addressable market] for space tourism and, therefore, the long-term demand profile," Credit Suisse said.

The ever-present quest to extend human life is a marketplace that Bank of America estimated is worth $110 billion today but nearly six times that in five years.

"Genetic therapies represent a paradigm shift in medicine, with the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and disrupt the biopharma industry," UBS said in a note this month.

Among the numerous biotechnology companies is Illumina, which is focused on genetic sequencing, a field which Bank of America calls a "moonshot" in the life sciences.

"Illumina has near 100% of revenues from analysing genetic data and would therefore be a High in our universe," Bank of America said in May.

The company's efforts in genetic sequencing range from devices to services. Illumina's products are already used by researchers, which the firm said helps the company "in a broad spectrum of scientific activities to gain a greater understanding of genetic variation and biological function."

"As such, Illumina's tools play an important role in helping advance disease research, drug development, and the creation of molecular tests," Bank of America said.

In the world of food, HSBC this year highlighted several new technologies, like "precision farming" and lab-grown meat, as "transforming the agri-food industry."

"Food preferences are also evolving in developed countries towards organic foods and plant-based diets as consumers are becoming more environmentally minded," HSBC said.

Today's shift is crucial, according to Bank of America, which says the current outlook is bleak, to say the least.

"The current model of food consumption is unsustainable and must change to prevent spiraling societal costs. 1 in 5 world deaths result from poor diets which kill more than tobacco, and health-related costs from red/processed meat consumption total US$285bn annually," the firm said in May.

Bank of America noted that the costs of producing lab-grown meat "have fallen 99.7%" in the past six years, while diets featuring reduced meat consumption simultaneously have increased. That's where Beyond Meat comes in, a company with products in the thick of a sector that's growing fast, according to Piper Jaffray.

"Plant-based US meat retail sales are ~1.5% of the total $80 billion meat category, which is well below plant-based milk's 13% share. A more mature plant-based market conservatively in the 7%-8% range of all meat retail sales would translate to $6-$8 billion by 2025," Piper Jaffray said.

Additionally, Beyond Meat has an even "faster-growing, less discussed" business in food services, UBS said in a note this month. The firm estimates that it's "achievable" for that part of Beyond Meat "to reach $1 billion in food service sales long-term," UBS said.

Put simply, video games have become a behemoth. Not only has it become one of the biggest parts of global entertainment but it continues to be one of the fastest growing, Jefferies told investors in a note this month.

"The industry is currently more than a $150 billion market - larger than digital music and box office combined," Jefferies said.

The firm said Activision Blizzard has built an immense gaming business that's only just beginning to tap into the world of mobile gaming. A Jefferies survey of U.S. smartphone owners found that nearly 90% play mobile games, with about half saying the amount of time they spend playing mobile games increased in the past year.

"We believe ATVI's aggressive approach will continue to pay off, representing a $1 billion opportunity and $0.25 in incremental EPS by 2023," Jefferies said.

But acting as content producer, beyond video games themselves, is where Activision may be able take its next step. Piper Jaffray this month wrote that it expects films and TV series featuring Activision brands will "be featured in various streaming services in coming years." In essence, Activision could evolve from a video game maker to a digital content giant.

Correction: Waymo is an Alphabet subsidiary. An earlier version misstated the relationship.

CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.

See original here:

Netflix shares won the decade. Here are some guesses at what could be the top stock of the 2020s - CNBC

Top food trends in 2020: From going 'glocal' to sustainability

27-Dec-2019 By BY PUJA GUPTA New Delhi

Posted 27 Dec 2019

From the revival of traditional cuisine to the growing popularity of some international ones, sustainability to going 'glocal', experiential dining over fine dinning; the Indian food and beverage industry will see these trends in 2020, say experts.

IANSlife spoke to veterans of the field who share major food trends that might make wave in the year ahead.

1. Chef Zoravar Kalra Traditional v/s modern cuisine: Diners globally, today, have become quite adventurous and have allowed their curiosity to get the better of them. This curiosity to try new dishes/cuisines has given space for fusion variations to come up. There is enough demand for authentic as well as contemporary Indian cuisine in their respective spaces. Modern Indian cuisine is only set to take centrestage in times to come.

Going glocal': Glocal (globally local) is the new wave. The times to come will witness use of many international ingredients in Indian dishes and many Indian spices/ingredients in international favourites, not just within the culinary boundary of India, but overseas as well. The newer generation is ready to experiment in order to find newer and finer flavours.

International cuisines: After Japanese and Teppanyaki, other international cuisines like Vietnamese, Cambodian, Mexican and Lebanese will see a surge in popularity in India in the coming years.

2. Chef Vineet Manocha Experiential dining: It is becoming trendy. More and more chef led establishments with open interactive kitchens, customised food offerings are getting popular. The guests are getting more and more inquisitive to know the details or story behind the food and the reason why chef has brought a particular item on the menu.

The gut health: Health especially the gut health is a big trend. Fermented food, fermented non-alcoholic drinks are getting popular.

Sustainability and hyper local produce: These are already trending and will continue. Veganism is getting popular and so is organic food. Guests are taking more and more interest in local farm raised produce. Getting to know the source (traceability) satisfies the guests immensely.

Zero-waste movement: Chefs are becoming adventurous in using the peels, scales and presenting all the wastage as blissful food.

Delivery and take-out is increasing: The restaurants have to become more and more delivery and take-away friendly.

3. Chef Qu Xue Wen Cook-your-own-dish: Not to be mistaken as a meal kit, the do it yourself Chinese cuisine is an amalgamation of ingredients, spices and hot sauces which gives you the liberty of cooking your own dish, according to your palate, quite similar to the Chinese steamboat.

Faux meat for the pescatarian: Food consumers today are quite evidently getting ready for plant-based meat. Producers of meal alternatives consider this as a unique opportunity to introduce their products into the food market. This is a game-changer for the nascent imitation-meat market, which accounts for about only one per cent of the global meat consumption.

Open hearth cooking: One of the biggest trends of 2020 is the live fire/wood fire cooking. It is gaining popularity every day and diners seem to love the idea of getting to interact with and watch their meals being prepared. Even though the wood fire oven for pizza is quite common, the open hearth gives you a lot more options.

4. Chef Osama Jalali Regional food: A lot of regional foods will make come back. The modern cooking techniques like molecular gastronomy will fade away.

Modern plating: Modern ways of plating will play a major part in 2020. The idea of community table will grow.

5. Chef Vicky Ratnani Farm to table concept: I think more vegetarian food, more plant-based food, the concept of directly from the farm to table basically healthier eating.

6. Chef Tarun Sibal Collaborative cuisine: It will be the biggest trend in the year 2020. Collaborative cuisine is about combined ingredients, native cuisines, cooking techniques and flavour combinations and dish out magic on plates.

Mushrooming: You will be seeing a lot of use of mushroom in the year 2020. There will be the use of Mushroom Coffee, Mushroom Chocolate and Mushroom Pickle, etc. are the things that you will get acquainted within 2020.

Grazing tables: Family style grazing table is a feast for the eye and an open invitation for everyone. One can lay the buffet of breads, dips, fresh or dried fruits, nuts, bite-sized sandwiches, as long as it can be picked up with the hands and will save time and space. Chefs will use the grazing table for community-style feasts in restaurants.

7. Chef Manoj Rawat Less fine dinning: As hotels, special tables or fine dining will be less frequent as whole mind-set of get together is changing. Now days, its semi-professional not much of hype and different venues.

Special menus/foods: As food allergy and intolerance is more and more common (thanks for medical science for exploring), hence, a requirement for more menus and varieties for celiac, keto diet, vegan foods and more. This will also affect food packaging or companies as well.

Hotels preferred destinations: However, there would be more and more options for food and beverages, but I still feel that hotels would still be preferred place for events, brunches, parties and more.

8. Chef Sidharth Sharma Eco-conscious eating: It will gain momentum, things like where and how your food is being produced.

African cuisine: In terms of culinary trends, African food seems to be getting a lot of attention globally.IANS

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Top food trends in 2020 From going glocal to sustainability - The Weekend Leader

Ren Auberjonois and Keene Curtis in "A Flea in Her Ear" and "The Misanthrope" at the Mark Taper Forum in 1982. (Photo by Jay Thompson)

Ren Auberjonois, who died on Dec. 8 at the age of 79, was a man primarily of the stage. Certainly his long and robust career took him into film (fromM*A*S*H toThe Little Mermaid), TV (Benson, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Boston Legal), video games, and audiobooks, where he garnered popularity and fame. But from his youth, when John Houseman first advised his parents to send him to Carnegie Tech, he was a leading member of the great American company of players.

He was a founding actor in Bill Balls American Conservatory Theater, not just in San Francisco but in its ur-year in Pittsburgh, where he played Tartuffe and Learyes, Learat age 25. Later, as a member of the Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center, he played the Fool to Lee J. Cobbs Lear. Subsequent Broadway work earned him Tony recognition for Coco, The Good Doctor, Big River, and City of Angels. He was a man at home with greasepaint and footlights.

So it was supremely just that one night in November 2018, he found himself in the upper rotunda of Broadways Gershwin Theatre, where the walls are encrusted with raised gilt letters recording the several hundred members of the Theater Hall of Fame. Eight are added each year. Frank Langella was chosen to introduce him as one of that years inductees, along with Christine Baranski, David Henry Hwang, Maria Irene Forns, Cicely Tyson, Adrienne Kennedy, James Houghton, and Joe Mantello.

After noting that he himself was already a member, Langella quoted Robert Edmond Jones invocation of actors, who have in them a kind of wildness and exuberance and for whom to spend a life practicing and performing this art of speaking with tongues other than ones own is to live as greatly as one can. Langella cited just a few of the tongues with which Ren has spoken over the last 50 years: William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Anton Chekhov, Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, Bertolt Brecht, Jean Anouilh, Molire, Harold Pinterthats just a few.

To my great regret, Langella continued, Ren and I have not shared much time on the stage together, which I think is the secret of our long friendship. To watch my friend from the audience has always been a distinct pleasureThe last time I saw the miracle of Ren onstage was in Larry Gelbarts Sly Fox. He was driving the audience apoplectic with laughter, playing a dirty old man prancing and prowling and stuttering with lustThe shaking, the spitting, the moaning, the tongue-darting excess, was just dazzling.

Thus introduced, Auberjonois responded, Maybe you could save that for my eulogy. People laughed. But Langellas praise evoked from Auberjonois an even greater eulogy: a paean of praise of the company of actors with whom he had joyously lived his life onstage.

He first cited the practice of beginning a yoga session with a recitation in Sanskrit, designed to invoke all those who came before, the ones whove handed down the tradition. For him, that tradition was embodied in a mesmerizing litany of history and tribute, this far from complete list, in no particular order. And so be began:

I wish to thank Julie Harris, who explained and embodied her practice of making an entrance onstage as if she were riding an elephant while holding open an enormous green umbrella. I thank Katharine Hepburn for her generosity onstage and off, and George Rose, who schooled me in the art of charming arrogance. Thanks to Misha Baryshnikov, who manifests the genuine humility of a great artist. Thanks for the versatility of Fritz Weaver, the elegance of Nina Foch, and the extravagance of Norman Lloyd.

Thanks to Ned Beatty, Joan van Ark, and Anthony Zerbe for the gratification of teamwork. For gifted collaborators, Richard Dysart, Peter Donat, Michael Learned, and Cicely Tyson. I thank Stacy Keach, Philip Bosco, and Lee J. Cobb for the affirmation of being privy to Lees dream to ascend that Shakespearean Everest. And thanks to Anne Bancroft and my lifelong and lion-hearted friend, Frank Langella, who taught me what onstage chemistry really means.

To Blythe Danner, who personifies the theatre turning to joy; thanks for the vibrancy of Rosemary Harris, Stephen Elliott, Richard Dreyfuss, Ellen Burstyn. And for the mastery of Keene Curtis and the flamboyance of Jeffrey Tambor, the truthful clowning of Chris Murney and Bob Dishy, the humanity of Eli Wallach and David Dukes, James Earl Jones and his sexy nobility, and Raul Julia with his noble sexiness. Chris Plummer, who never settles for half, and Barney Hughes, Franny Sternhagen, and Marsha Mason for demonstrating authentic sparkle.

For the sheer Bacchanalian lustiness of John Goodman, the exuberance of Dan Jenkins, and the caring partnership of Bob Gunton. To Michael Crawford, for proving that a basically decent person playing a singing vampire could act like a monster. And thank you to Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, models for married artists working together with love and respect. Thank you for the suave gallantry of James Naughton and for Gregg Edelman and Randy Graff, who displayed their mojo in full-throated song.

For all the gifted and committed ensembles full of sound and fury. I believe in ghosts. I believe in the lingering spirit of artists. So I stand here to say thank you to all my peers and fellow artists and ghosts. Thank you.

And thank you, Ren.

Christopher Rawson is senior theatre critic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and a member of the executive committee of the Theater Hall of Fame.

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Ren Auberjonois and the Company He Kept - American Theatre

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Everyone has a special memory of their first musical. Mine was My Fair Lady. It had opened in London in 1958 on Drury Lane after taking Broadway by storm, and, as a young child living there, I already knew the tunes when I was taken to see Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison. Last night as the first familiar melody in the overture wafted through the Opera House, I was transported all over again. Has there ever been a more loverly, tune-filled musical?

The new revival of the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe musical came to Washington by way of the Lincoln Center Theatre production with direction by Bartlett Sher. I had been somewhat concerned that George Bernard Shaws story of a stuck-up, upper-class snob and male chauvinistic pig would not stand up to todays lens of social criticism. Lets face it, the guy thoughtlessly plucks up out of the mud at Covent Garden a lower class guttersnipe for his own amusement and social experiment all to demonstrate his prowess at how he could coach get her to pass for a lady.

If Im honest I was equally concerned that Sher would have put the musical through a politically-correct mangle and flatten the work to an unrecognizable pulp. Im pleased to say there was respect and genuine fondness shown for the works beauty, but Sher was willing to point out the characters acceptance of class-conscious snobbery without totally bludgeoning the work.

The creative team gave the work a fresh look, thereby creating a whos who of artists in last years New York awards. The design elements were stunning. From the painted skyline on the front curtain of Old London Town with the iconic St. Pauls dome and smokestacks leading the eye back to the Thames in the background, all seemed to speak of a soft grey, and yes smog-filled world. Set Designer Michael Yeargan and Lighting Designer Donald Holder worked beautifully together to transform this ever-foggy world into a nostalgic romance, with skies shot through with ultra-violet, mauve, and plum.

Catherine Zubers costume designs for the show swept the New York awards last year. Have there ever been more ravishing looks than Elizas runway fashion gowns? Of course there was the one for the princess-at-the-ball entrance then the startling scarlet wildly-sculptured opera-coat that for a moment consciously broke the shows line and palette, but also there was the glory of her Ascot get-up and over-the-top hat that looked like it might set sail away at any moment. Rather than reproduce the iconic Black-and-White starkness of the original Ascot scene design, Zuber had re-invented all the costumes for the end of Act I with dove-grey, dusty rose, and mauve with lines that felt both elegant and ghostlike in its nostalgia. She added the outsize hats, walking sticks, parasols, and viewing lorgnettes to establish a tradition equal parts magnificent and silly as the scene was intended to show.

Shers staging of the Act I ending, as with so many numbers is screamingly funny. How can we ever forget those pre-botox immovable faces as they followed the horses galloping through the Opera House by way of Sensurround sound? And what a most perfect set up for Elizas famous line, Move your bloomin arse! This is a moment of sheer theatrical perfection where character and audience are giddily as one.

Yeargan made great use of a turntable set with an upstairs downstairs feel and incredible attention to detail, where various interior rooms of Professor Higgins house could be accessed by the characters simply walking through a door while the set was moving. At a show that clocked in at just over three hours, this production nonetheless kept things moving, through assisted rolling set pieces by the cast, in transitions into the many venues called for in the story.

Sher relied on bringing out more nuance and layers to the story and characters through simply bringing things into focus just a little bit differently, lingering a moment here, lighting something to lift it out there rather than re-conceptualizing the entire show.

Eliza Doolittle is introduced in a quiet moment. She walks alone through the dusky London evening as the street gaslights are coming on. She walks slowly and then pauses to gaze steadily at the audience. We immediately get the sense she is fearlessly her own woman and will navigate her own way.

Shereen Ahmed is Eliza, and just by the sound of her name we might be tempted to think the production aims to push the theme of immigrants and equate them with a new struggling lower class to make the show into an updated political statement. This is, thankfully, not the case. Instead, the young New York actress, whom the bio notes has her degree from Towson University in Maryland, is accepted by the Covent Garden lot and delivers on her own terms.

Ahmed has feistiness and confidence in her gestural movements and physical engagement. If the voice doesnt have the size or supple dynamics of Julie Andrews, it is nonetheless pleasing. More importantly, she delivers every acting moment with feeling and commitment: from street vendor who has to be scrappy to survive, to a young woman wounded in love, and finally to someone who can stand up to Professor Higgins and show him his own blindness, insensitivity and shortcomings.

My Fair Lady closes January 19, 2020. DCTS details and tickets

Laird Macintosh is terrific as Higgins. He cut a much younger figure than the original Harrison and therefore showed him driven by a kind of restless arrogance the world hadnt put this entitled preppy greenhorn in his place yet and thus he might find redemption. His ranginess and background as a dancer in the Canadian National ballet has made Macintosh graceful as a cat and imminently watchable. He prowled, pounced, stretched out on the settee as if analyzing himself, then suddenly sit up ramrod straight or spring out of a chair all to deliver the sure dynamics of Loewes melodies and Lerners sparkling lyrics in the service to accentuate his characters lightning fast processing of thoughts. Macintosh, as is appropriate for the character, possesses the intuitive mimicry of a catbird in sounds but hes also a damn ruthless observer of body and gesture. He also was hysterical in the second act as a quivering emotional jelly and mamas boy, utterly undone when forced to face his own feelings for Eliza.

Reading Keith Lorias piece on Adam Grupper in the role or Alfred P Doolittle, Elizas dad, I thought it would be more radicalized than in fact it was. Gruppers portrayal of Elizas alcoholic dad played darker more because of what we brought to it our societal condemnation of a deadbeat dad. In fact, Lerner and Loewe argued a water-tight conservative case that Doolittle was undeserving poor more because he refused to accept any responsibilities of work and family his skewering a society that had done im wrong. For all that, Grupper proved a massive stage presence, chilling in one moment but not above a little Knees up Mother Brown with the lads and lasses. Grupper won the audience over with his music hall numbers not with his philosophy, and he didnt come across as your villainous heavy.

The most radical scene in the whole production and the biggest choreographed showstopper was Get Me to the Church on Time which not only had dancing girls doing can-can high kicks but several boys in drag doing a sight more than can-can. Choreographer Christopher Gattelli displayed in the course of the evening his abilities with a wide range of dance styles from the high-centered elegant swaying of the waltzes and the footies of the music hall tradition to the adult-rated aforementioned big number. The eight primary dancers plus the ensemble proved top-notch in all they delivered.

Every role down to cameo performances sparkled in this cast. Gayton Scott as Mrs. Pearce nailed the ramrod housekeeper of the eccentric Professor. Kevin Pariseau made for a delightful Colonel Pickering, short-sighted and silly but full of kindness, a believable throwback to the British Empire in the days of the Raj. Leslie Alexander as Higgins mama was suitably smart with her comebacks and putdowns, first to Eliza and then, when that girl won her over, to her own son. Wade McCollum was suitably oily and over-the-top as Higgins former pupil and rival, Professor Zoltan Karpathy.

Mark Aldrich, Colin Anderson, Shavey Brown, and William Michals with their distinctive, rich voices in the Loverly Quartet were arresting whenever they corralled together and sang. Indeed Loverly! I appreciated many details, including Higgins butler in a cameo, who announced just a little too slowly and perfectly, suggesting Higgins has been a tutor in other social experiments. (I knew just such acquired speakers.)

The most curious and actually radical bit of casting was with Freddy Eynsford-Hill. With the glorious number On the Street Where You Live, one expects and most often gets matinee-idol material and a tenor crooning and winning everyone over simply strolling effortlessly through the song. Sher has gone for something quite different and arresting. Freddy, played by Sam Simahk, is a boyish, even somewhat clownish figure, caught in the stages of puppy love. Simahk gawks, nearly swoons, raises up on his toes, tips off balance, then tries to cover it up. In the swell of music and feeling, he runs downstage to spread his arms as if he would take off and fly. Simahk gives us a likeable but rather pathetic goof, and suddenly we are given to understand Higgins words about what life with Freddy would be like: a kind of Peter Pan never-grow-up figure. An important arc of the story gets clarified in terms of Elizas choices.

The production is almost but not quite flawless. I have two quibbles. I have got somewhat used to American actors struggling with British accents, but in a show about the importance of training the ear to vowel sounds, the migration of such here and there throughout the evening was annoying, especially in the singing. Oh, why cant the British teach their (American) children how to speak?

Most disturbing was the directors curious choice at the end. Im not sure what was intended, but if the story was meant to start as Pygmalion and drift to A Dolls House, then such an event really wasnt supported either by the creators intentions nor an unprepared and unlikely theatrical exit.

In the final analysis, this is an old world musical. Lerner and Loewe were masters of the form. We should revel in the cleverness of the lyrics and the delightful music. Dont we all need just about now a moment where we can pause and go away humming the same tune?

My Fair Lady. Book and Lyrics Alan Jay Lerner. Composed by Frederick Loewe. Based on the play by George Bernard Shaw. Direction by Bartlett Sher. Choreography by Christopher Gattelli. Music Direction by John Bell. Set Designed by Michael Yeargan. Costumes Designed by Catherine Zuber. Lighting Designed by Don Holder. Sound Design by Marc Salzberg. With Shereen Ahmed, Laird Mackintosh, Leslie Alexander, Adam Grupper, Wade McCollum, Kevin Pariseau, Gayton Scott, Sam Simahk, Mark Aldrich, Rajeer Alford, Colin Anderson, Polly Baird, Mark Banik, Michael Biren, Shavey Brown, Anne Brummel, Henry Byalikov, Mary Callanan, Jennifer Evans, Nicole Ferguson, Kaitlyn Frank, Juliane Godfrey, Colleen Grate, Patrick Kerr, Brandon Leffler, Nathalie Marrable, William Michals, Rommel Pierre OChoa, Joanna Rhinehart, Sarah Quinn Taylor, Fana Tesfagiorgis, Michael Williams, and John T. Wolfe. Produced by The Lincoln Center Theatre Production. Presented in the Kennedy Center Opera House. Reviewed by Susan Galbraith

My Fair Lady

Book and Lyrics Alan Jay Lerner

Composed by Frederick Loewe

Based on the play by George Bernard Shaw

Direction by Bartlett Sher

Produced by The Lincoln Center Theatre Production

Presented in the Kennedy Center Opera House

Reviewed by Susan Galbraith

Rating 4

Running time: 3 hours 5 minutes, with an intermission

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Review: Bartlett Sher's My Fair Lady, a fresh, loverly production with a curiously unsatisfying end - DC Theatre Scene

At Christmastide, the old folks often teased us when were young that there would be no more Christmas. And that would spoil our anticipation on the spot.

Really now, what if theres no Christmas anymore? Just like the story in the World Book years before Charles 2nd ruled as king. In 1649, when the Puritans led by Oliver Cromwell, took over London, they felt that celebrating Christmas had gotten out of hand.

A long round of vigorous feasting, boisterous pleasure-making had been the order of the season. Besides the downright display of excessive eating and drinking, people gambled, held jousting tournaments and pageants. No other group of people had ever spent the Christmas holidays in jollity but with disorder, in gaiety but with lust. The Puritans abolished Christmas and made it just another working day.

They even banned the baking of mince pies because their oblong shape looks like a manger, with a little image of infant Jesus; they found it too religious. But folks rebelled and ran riots. In 1660, they baked mince pies again when Christmas was back under King Charles 2nd.

Seriously, what if a blasphemous, neurotic person in power threatens to stop celebrating Christmas?

What is Christmas time for the kids but a time to warm the cockles of their hearts. As we say, Christmas is mostly for the children. Multitudes of carols waft in the air, children form bands of carolers who serenade enthusiastically some nights before Christmas to turn an honest penny. They amuse themselves of the frills of the Yuletide season the silvery tinsels on lamp posts; the glittering garlands hung at homes; the sparkling Christmas trees in living rooms adorned with neon lights and brightly-colored ornaments, and gift-boxes underneath. Children all bustle up on Christmas day awake with gladness with the whole family until the clock chimes midnight Noche Buena awe with glee to wear a newly-owned clothes and pairs of shoes, await with excitement for the gaily-wrapped gifts to reach their hands. To deprive them of the joys of Christmas is to take away the most-pleasant moments of childhood.

What is Christmas time for the musicians and writers but a time to give us the flavor and taste, sights and sounds and climes of Christmas inspired by their works. The contemporary carols, poems, essays and stories are being added to the wealth of classic Christmas music and literary heritage such as those of William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, John Milton, Lord Tennyson, George Bernard Shaw, Dylan Thomas, Bing Crosby and Andy Williams. Or our-very-own Jose Mari Chan for his soulful-Christmas compositions today; international actress-singer Lea Salonga; and the Philippines greatest actress (according to National Artists Lino Brocka and Lamberto Avellana and critic-writer Alberto Florentino) and singer with a golden-voice Nora Aunor, who had recorded nine Christmas long-playing albums, 53 long-playing song albums and 238 music singles. We sing along with the best singers blending their voices so beautifully, or delight in reading fresh uplifting stories from the Christmas writers. To shun Christmas is to do it against the singers and writers creative validation that raises the seasons high hopes and spirit.

What is Christmas time for the faithful but a time to celebrate the real meaning of the birth of our Savior. Aside from the frivolous merrymakings, can we also strike a happy medium why cant soldiers and terrorists keep truce for peace to rule the world, as what Jesus laid down in creed? Why cant the powerful elected-officials feed a crowd of hungry people, serve with sense of loving and giving not with round-the-clock injustices and corruption that flatter and make a fortune all for themselves? To undo the real meaning of Christmas is to unfollow Jesus Christs teachings.

Imagine if we dont live by His rules. The world will be chaotic, topsy-turvy, in complete turmoil. Criminals, bad people and politicians can do just about anything or commit the worst crimes. They pay no mind to Jesus simple yet lofty teachings of giving food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, shelter to the homeless, consolation to the sick, more help to those seeking just a little. To put the most superficial and the least spiritual meaning to Christmas is in fact to make Christmas dead and done.

Pit M. Maliksi, took his Bachelor of Science degree in Library Science at the University of the Philippines. He taught at the Central Texas College and is an English language teacher at the Liceo de San Pablo. He is also a visiting lecturer at the Penleigh School Tanauan City. He founded the Philippine Axiologists Association and the Sto. Tomas, Batangas (STB) Mga Apo Ni Tomas, a civic society of young professionals. He was the most outstanding professor for 12 years at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, STB, where he is the educational program officer of Kiwanis International STB.

Originally posted here:
What if there's no Christmas - The Manila Times

Christmas lunch can be a particularly tricky moment during what can be a very challenging few days conversation-wise. You dont want to bore your guests, but neither is it right that they should be allowed leave the table without the benefit of your compelling insights into the momentous events of the decade gone by and the year to come.

As a service to readers, the opinion page is offering a few handy pointers that, deployed with judgment, will allow you strike the right balance.

We have put together a list of topics and a range of opening conversational gambits that, delivered with sufficient lan, should keep you going right through to the port and cigars. We offer three gambits for each topic. The first might be described as the woke option. It is best used carefully and sparingly and may put some guests to sleep. But it will at least ensure that you remain on the right side of your daughters hipster boyfriend.

The second option is more centrist Dad and should not offend anyone at the table, although by the same token may not be sufficiently engaging to stop your mother-in-law talking about her hip operation. However, if offers a safe space should options 1 or 3 backfire and you find the table turning against you.

Option 3 is the Fox News take. Like option 1 it is more high-risk. It needs to be used carefully and never whilst under the influence of alcohol, unless your guests have overstayed their welcome or the boredom has just got too much for you.

Climate change

Woke: I do wonder whether we really should be eating meat at all for Christmas lunch, given the carbon footprint of farming.

Centrist Dad: The coming decade will hopefully be the inflexion point in the fight against global warming

Fox News: What is up with Greta Thunberg? Does she really have to look so cross all the time?

Brexit and the British

Woke: This is really an existential moment for Europe and the values of the enlightenment that it embodies. I cant believe the British have done this to themselves.

Centrist Dad: I think Johnson will go for a soft Brexit in the end. I mean, really, what choice does he have. Its all about realpolitik.

Fox News: What time is the Queens speech. Its gonna be a doozy this year.

Irish politics and the coming election

Woke: This really could be a breakthrough year for the Greens. People are really beginning to get them.

Centrist Dad: It will be the same-old-same-old. Its Fianna Fils turn to be in government and what harm?

Fox News: You would miss Mick Wallace and Clare Daly all the same, wouldnt you?

Dublins urban landscape

Woke: I cant believe we are going to build a 25 million white-water rafting course in the middle of the IFSC. Its wrong on so many levels.

Centrist Dad: I dont see a problem with taller buildings in central Dublin. Its an answer to the housing crisis. But it must be properly planned.

Fox News: I never heard of the Bernard Shaw pub until they closed it. Looked like a bit of a dump to me.

The North and reunification

Woke: I think people are getting ahead of themselves with all this talk of a united Ireland. We need reconciliation before unity.

Centrist Dad: Its time for a national conversation on what a united Ireland will look like. And I can tell you one thing. It wont be a 32-county republic.

Fox News:Do we really want reunification? Its going to cost a fortune and those northerners can be very needy.

Direct Provision

Woke: As we sit down to eat this fabulous meal we should spare a thought for all the people in direct provision this Christmas.

Centrist Dad: I accept the system has its flaws but it is the only viable solution for a country like Ireland.

Fox News: Oughterard is overrated. I much prefer Clifden.

Lisa Smith

Woke: She must face due process. We owe that to the victims of Isis.

Centrist Dad: She is an Irish citizen and has the same rights as the rest of us.

Fox News: I dont know what is the better look for her; hijab or Air Corps uniform.

Social media and technology

Woke: Will you turn that alexa off. Its making me feel uncomfortable.

Centrist Dad: This could be the year that we finally wake up to the dark side of big tech and the way these companies manipulate us using our own data.

Fox News: Look, look, I got an iPhone 11 Pro Max .

The rise of China

Woke: The US and China are clearly falling into the Thucydides trap like Sparta and Athens in the Peloponnesian War. Conflict in inevitable.

Centrist Dad: The Chinese are not entirely immune to international opprobrium. Look at the tolerance shown towards the protesters in Hong Kong and the closure of the Uighur detention camps in Xinjiang.

Fox News: Its spelt Uighur and pronounced weegar. Thats mad.

Donald Trump and America

Woke: I know impeachment is a lost cause but it is the morally correct course of action.

Centrist Dad: The democrats will rue the weaponisation of the US constitution. Impeachment will become just a regular feature of US politics.

Fox News: Oh look, Trump is tweeting.

International affairs

Woke: The international rules-based system and the institutions that underpin it have never been under more threat.

Centrist Dad: Its a bit early to write off liberal democracy as the most sustainable form of Government. I agree with Churchill.

Fox News: I think we will go to Majorca again this year. I love Italy.

Sports

Woke: Really looking forward to seeing the Irish womens hockey team smashing it in the Olympics next summer.

Centrist Dad: Maybe breaking up Dublin into two teams isnt the worst idea in the world.

Fox News: John Delaney is the real victim in all of this FAI stuff.

Abbey Theatre

Woke: Its shameful that the vision of WB Yeats and Lady Gregory should have descended to this.

Centrist Dad: I dont see why the national theatre should not be paying its own way. These actors have no more right to a job than I do.

Fox News: Whats on Netflix?

Opinion editors guides to Christmas lunchtime conversation

Woke: We shouldnt be poking fun at these serious issues.

Centrist Dad: Many a true word is spoken in jest, or as Joyce might say, in risu veritas.

Fox News: I dont do irony.

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The Irish Times opinion editors guide to Christmas lunchtime conversation - The Irish Times