Restaurant patrons seem to be a divided bunch.

There has recently been an international movement against foie gras on restaurant menus, which has resulted in more awareness surrounding it’s production, and, let’s face it, some restaurant-owners taking it off the menu to keep their customers happy.

However, there is of course the other side, consisting of diehard gourmands and restaurateurs who won’t call a meal supreme unless it is featured.

Food moods worldwide seem to be swaying more towards being aware of the origin of food and the environmental impact and effect of its production.

With 76% of the worlds fish harvested to maximum levels, it is surprising that many restaurants still feature endangered fish on the menu.

In South Africa, kingklip is on the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative’s (SASSI’s) endangered list, yet still remains a popular restaurant dish.

While many restaurant-goers are growing increasing environmentally savvy, more often requesting eco-friendly menu choices, many restaurant-owners and patrons still turn a blind eye.

The question is, how long will this last? Some chefs are not so silent.

David Bouley, chef-owner of David Bouley Evolution in Miami and Bouley in New York, urges chefs and retailers to take ‘certain fish off their menu for five or six years to help them grow back in population’.

Charlie Palmer, chef-owner of Aureole in New York, calls for more ‘consciousness around food, by switching to certified humane meats and eggs and avoiding fish [that] are being over-harvested’.

Apart from the adverse environmental effects of unsustainable farming/harvesting practices, the health effects of mass production is also of enormous concern to consumers.

We can be sure to find eco-food trends growing steadily.

What’s your view? Drop us a quick mail web@eatout.co.za

SMS Fish
Sitting at a restaurant and not sure about the endangered status of a tempting fishy menu item? SASSI has an SMS service, called FishMS, where you can find out in a jiffy by texting the name of the fish to 079 499 8795 and they will send you a color-coded reply.

Green gives you the go-ahead, as stocks are doing well, orange warns caution and red spells illegal.

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