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How climate change is impacting menus

Michael P. Hoffmann, co-author of “Our Changing Menu,” shares how some favorite foods and drinks are under threat and what operators can do about it.

Patricia Cobe, Senior Editor

September 15, 2022

Climate change is top of mind right now, with recent heat waves, droughts and wildfires directly affecting food production and the environment. Michael P. Hoffmann, professor emeritus at Cornell University and co-author of the book “Our Changing Menu,” relays how all this directly affects what foodservice operators can put on the menu.

Some favorite foods and beverages, like sushi, salads, coffee and cocktails, are being threatened. And climate change has the potential to impact the taste of wine, gin and tonics, tomatoes and even chicken.

Michael P. Hoffmann
Michael P. Hoffman

But all is not doom and gloom. Some ingredients may even become more abundant, including squid and octopus. And Hoffmann remains optimistic that taking action can change the dynamic.

Listen as he talks about climate change from a culinary point of view and shares how operators, farmers and scientists can work together to make a difference.

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About the Author

Patricia Cobe

Senior Editor

Pat plans and executes the menu sections of Restaurant Business and FoodService Director, covering food and beverage trends, Menu R&D, profiles of chefs and restaurateurs and Technomic research. She also contributes to the digital content of both RB and FSD and is editor of two weekly e-newsletters, Recipe Report and On the Menu. Pat’s weekly podcast, MenuFeed, covers a wide range of menu topics through interviews with chefs and operators.

Pat came to Winsight from Hearst, where she was an executive editor. She is the co-author of the Mompreneurs series of books as well as two cookbooks. She graduated from Cornell University and earned a Masters in Journalism from Boston University. She is active in several professional organizations, including Les Dames d’Escoffier and the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC), and serves as a judge for the James Beard Media Awards.

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