This time of the year we are inundated with lists of what will be ” in” this coming year. Music, fashion, movies, and yes, food! They make me simultaneously laugh and engage in primal scream therapy ( Quite the sight, let me assure you!) And so many people take these lists seriously. Playlists, restaurant menus, theatre offerings, stores, books, runways— so many allow the “what’s hot” lists to dictate to them what they will offer consumers. Grrr! Just because something was on last year’s list, but didn’t make the cut this year, are we expected to wildly abandon it?

As a Chef, it is the food lists that drive me crazy. Bacon’s in, green tea’s out, kimchi is hot, parsnips are not, spelt is sexy, quinoa is so yesterday! I have one thing to say— Delicious is Timeless! Wonderful foods cannot go in and out of fashion. Sweet succulent pork belly is not a mini skirt! I have an idea…….. drum roll please…… let’s collectively start permanent lists. Under “What’s Hot” – - -delicious food, local foods, made-from scratch foods, locally raised pastured animals, community gardens, farmers’ markets, eating how Mother Nature intended, eating 6 small meals a day, sharing foods and ideas. Under “What’s NOT” – - – jet-lagged foods, mass-produced meals, commercial feedlot meats, any purchased grocery item with any unrecognizable ingredients, “fast food”, gorging on 3 meals a day, eating on the run, foods (and I use the term lightly) thought up in a boardroom and produced in Frankenstein’s lab.

There, now we have food lists we would be proud to call our own. No further need to buck the trends. I think we’re onto something! But we still have work to do about all the other lists. Hmmm. If skinny jeans are in, let’s do boot cut. If the world is listening to Lady Gaga, let’s dance to Parliament and Afro Celt Sound System. Polkadots? Hah, we’ll do stripes!

Ok, the movement has begun – - – non-conformists of the world unite!

Tastefully Yours, Luke