French restaurant serves up food of the future

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. fainthearted / ˈfeɪntˈhɑr tɪd / (adj.) – not brave or confident enough to do something risky
    Example:

    Extreme sports like skydiving are not for the fainthearted.


  2. mealworm / ˈmilˌwɜrm / (n.) – a young insect that’s usually found in stored food products like flour
    Example:

    Mealworms are usually used to feed fish and birds, but some restaurants have also started creating dishes with them.


  3. murmur / ˈmɜr mər / (n.) – a quiet expression of one’s feelings or thoughts about something
    Example:

    There were murmurs of amazement from the crowd when the magician performed.


  4. larva / ˈlɑr və / (n.) – an insect that has just come out of its egg but has not yet developed into its adult form
    Example:

    A butterfly’s larva is called a caterpillar.


  5. endorsement / ɛnˈdɔrs mənt / (n.) – a public or official statement showing support or approval for something
    Example:

    The famous actor’s endorsement made the new drink very popular.


Article

Read the text below.

Laurent Veyet’s tasting menu is not for the fainthearted, but may point to the future of feeding a booming world population. The menu includes a prawn salad with yellow mealworm, crunchy insects on a bed of vegetables and chocolate-coated grasshoppers.


As sun bathed the outdoor restaurant terraces in Paris, Veyet’s ornate dishes were winning approving nods and murmurs of satisfaction from his adventurous clientele.


“It’s the ideal dish for first-timers,” the Parisian chef said, preparing a serving of pasta made with mealworm flour, sweet potato and sauteed insect larvae. “There are some really interesting flavors. Not many people could say they don’t like that.”


Dining with his two daughters, Soheil Ayari gave his endorsement: “I feel like I am in a traditional restaurant except the concept behind what I’m eating is different. And honestly, the tastes are very similar (to regular food).”


Ayari’s young daughter was equally positive: “It’s environmentally friendly and what’s more, it’s good.” (Reuters)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Veyet uses mealworms, grasshoppers, and insect larvae in his dishes. Do you think that these will become more common ingredients in the future? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you think it’s important to be adventurous and always try new food, or are there some things that you would never ever eat? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Some say that insects are the key to feeding a booming world population. Aside from using insects as food, though, how can we increase the world’s food supply (ex. make farms more efficient, create more food in labs)? Why? Discuss.
  • Ayari’s young daughter was pleased that Veyet’s food was environmentally friendly. Do you often consider the environmental impact of the food you eat? Why or why not? Discuss.