Why do people look up to chefs as cultural figureheads? What’s got busy city-dwellers slowing down for mealtimes? What are coffee shops and grocery stores doing to help people reduce their plastic waste? And how are alcohol-free drinks getting an enhanced image?

With 66% of US Gen Yers saying that food and cooking are a big part of who they are, and 47% of American restaurant-goers considering themselves to be ‘foodies’, it’s clear that people have turned food from an enjoyable essential into a serious hobby. This passion, combined with the need to look like a connoisseur, means that many people go for foods that seem sophisticated, even if they don’t actually like the taste. Catering to those who like dark chocolate more in theory than in practice, Green & Black’s launched its 70% ‘velvet edition’ chocolate, which is much easier to consume than its regular, bitter bars.

Social media is influencing people in Australia eat healthier, with 82% taking a more health-conscious approach to their diet. While this shift in behaviour has positive health effects, it comes at a financial cost, with families spending $4,500 per year on average eating healthily.

Will people compromise taste for wellbeing? Why are beverage brands experimenting with cannabis? Can ‘cultured meat’ overcome its image problems? In this part of the 2019 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about how health and environmental concerns are affecting eating and drinking habits.