What you're going to be eating in the next year is decided by

Opening Scene

The city was alive, bustling with the rhythm of a Friday afternoon. The air was thick with the scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery, the clatter of plates and chatter from cafés filling the streets. Inside a small, dimly lit restaurant, Jack sat at a corner table, his fingers tapping restlessly on the wood. The soft hum of the kitchen was a familiar comfort to him, but today it felt more like a cage. Jeeny, standing near the window, gazed out at the world, her eyes reflecting the passing crowd.

Host: "A certain anticipation hung in the air, thick with the promise of a conversation yet to unfold. Jack and Jeeny, as always, were on the cusp of another debate. But this time, it was about something more unexpected — food. A quote had caught Jeeny’s attention, and she couldn’t help but bring it up."

Character Descriptions

Jack
Around 35, tall and lean, Jack's physical presence is overshadowed by the intensity in his grey eyes. His sharp features and voice are often laced with sarcasm. A pragmatist through and through, he is skeptical of any notion that doesn’t align with his belief in realism. He finds it hard to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, and his constant internal battle plays out in his interactions.

Jeeny
A woman in her early 30s, small yet powerful. Jeeny’s long black hair and deep brown eyes give her a quiet, poetic energy. Her sensitivity to the world around her drives her to believe in the beauty of everyday things. She values the human connection in life, and her views are often rooted in emotion and idealism.

Host
An observer of the space between them, the narrator encapsulates the energy of the world as it shifts around them. The scene is vivid with sensory details, capturing the inner workings of Jack and Jeeny’s relationship, their perspectives, and their unspoken tensions.

Main Debate

Jeeny:
“I heard something interesting the other day. Anthony Bourdain said, ‘What you're going to be eating in the next year is decided by chefs. If the consensus is that pot-bellies are in next season, that's what's on your plate. And I think that's a good thing, because we know, obviously, about food.’ It made me think about how much control we really have over the things we consume, especially when it comes to food. It’s all influenced by trends, like everything else.”

Jack:
“Right. So, chefs are now the puppeteers of the food we eat? It’s just another example of how people are at the mercy of whatever trend is happening. Pot-bellies, next season? That sounds more like a gimmick than anything worth eating. Food isn’t supposed to be dictated by fashion. It’s about nourishment, not whatever’s cool or hip.”

Jeeny:
“But isn’t that the point, Jack? Food is cultural, it’s personal, and yes, sometimes it’s dictated by trends. But doesn’t that make it a reflection of where we are in the world? What we eat is just as much about identity as it is about nutrition. Chefs have always been trendsetters in that way, pushing the boundaries of what we think we want, what we think we need.”

Jack:
“Food as identity? I don’t know, Jeeny. People have gotten obsessed with food as a statement, and I think that’s a dangerous thing. It’s one thing if food is a reflection of a culture, but when it’s about the next big thing, it loses its meaning. It’s just a commodity — like anything else. If a chef decides the next hot food, and you don’t like it, what then? You just fall in line because it’s the new thing?”

Jeeny:
“It’s not about falling in line, Jack. It’s about experiencing the world, expanding our palates. Sure, food can be trendy, but it’s also about bringing people together. Think about how food connects us to different cultures, different histories. Sure, we might get caught up in the hype sometimes, but the essence of food is its ability to bring people closer.”

Host:
The conversation was building to a fever pitch, both of them leaning forward now, as if their words were pushing them toward some final realization. The sounds of the kitchen faded as they became more absorbed in the topic at hand. The smell of something simmering in the back was all-encompassing.

Jack:
“I get what you’re saying, but we’re still talking about fads. That’s not a reflection of food, that’s just people following the crowd. When we talk about food in these terms, it becomes about self-image — what’s fashionable, what looks good, what’s ‘Instagrammable.’ It’s lost its purpose.”

Jeeny:
“But isn’t food always about more than just its purpose, Jack? Sure, it’s functional, but it’s also about how it makes us feel. Food can elevate the mundane, create moments of connection. Just like fashion, food is a language we use to communicate who we are. If we’re constantly stuck in the past, how can we move forward?”

Jack:
“I see your point, but when you start treating food as a commodity, like it’s just another part of the consumer cycle, it stops being something that nourishes. It’s artificial, like everything else we’re sold. The soul of food is lost.”

Jeeny:
“But isn’t it about both? The soul of food isn’t just about tradition, it’s about the story it tells in the moment. Just because something’s trendy doesn’t mean it’s without meaning. Sometimes, the most profound moments in life are wrapped up in the smallest details — like a meal shared with people who matter. It’s about creating moments, Jack.”

Host:
The air seemed to thicken as they stared across the table at each other. Jack, arms crossed tightly, his jaw clenched as he absorbed her words. Jeeny, eyes shining with the intensity of her belief, was waiting for him to reach some sort of understanding. The tension between them was palpable.

Climax and Reconciliation

Jack:
“Okay, maybe I’ve been too harsh. I’m just so tired of everything being turned into a trend. But maybe you’re right. Food, at its core, is still a language — a way to connect. Even if we’re caught up in the whirlwind of the next big thing, we still find meaning in it.”

Jeeny:
“Exactly, Jack. Trends don’t diminish the heart of what food is. They just shift it, change it, make it more exciting. What really matters is how we choose to engage with it. Food can be both a reflection of the times and something deeply personal.”

Host:
As the conversation slowed, the weight of their words seemed to settle. Jack’s expression softened, the tension in his posture easing slightly. Jeeny smiled, her eyes reflecting a quiet triumph, but there was an understanding between them now, unspoken but clear. The world, like food, was constantly evolving — and perhaps it was okay to let it.

Jack:
“Maybe it’s not about trends versus tradition. Maybe it’s about finding the balance — taking what works and making it our own.”

Jeeny:
“Yeah. That’s what makes life, and food, interesting — the mix of past and present, nostalgia and innovation.”

Host: "And just like that, the world outside seemed a little less chaotic. The city continued to hum, the kitchen continued to buzz, and Jack and Jeeny, though still at odds in their views, had found a new understanding of the world around them. It was messy, it was imperfect, but it was beautiful, just like the food that brought them together."