Chefs angry at New York foie gras ban


Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrfZaPzN9Sc

Many top chefs in New York City are up in arms over a proposed ban on foie gras - the specialty food that is a common aspect of haute cuisine. Foie gras is made from the livers of ducks and geese. The birds are force-fed with corn to enlarge their liver up to ten times their normal size. Animal rights groups say this causes the birds unnecessary suffering. The New York City council unanimously voted to ban sales of the controversial food. The bill will: "Prohibit retail food establishments or food service establishments from storing, maintaining, selling, or offering to sell force-fed products or food containing a force-fed product." A council spokesperson said: "The council is banning a really cruel and inhumane practice."

Farmers are considering suing New York City. One farmer told reporters: "We will not let this restriction on New Yorkers' freedom of choice go unchallenged in the courts, and we intend to file a lawsuit." Ariane Daguin, from a food manufacturer, said many chefs were likely to order more foie gras because they are so angry. She said: "There are 1,000 restaurants in New York City who have foie gras on their menu right now. They are all very incensed." Ms Daguin added: "Not one council member has made any effort to learn about the foie gras process and all have refused to visit the farms to understand the process first-hand." Foie gras is big business. One liver can retail for as much as $125.

And conversely, China has reversed an import ban on several types of cheese that get their flavor (and distinctive smell) from bacteria. Chinese health officials placed a ban on the cheeses in September after authorities discovered that the bacteria used to make the cheeses were not officially approved by the health department. The cheeses now approved for sale in China include Brie, Camembert, Roquefort and Stilton. The ban was lifted following meetings between representatives from the European Commission and Chinese quarantine and health officials. China's National Health and Family Planning Commission stated that the bacteria used for the production of these cheeses were not harmful to consumers' health.

Cheese lovers in China were very happy that they can once again enjoy eating their favourite dairy product. Cheese is becoming increasingly popular in China. Dairy products are not a typical part of the Chinese diet but tastes are changing as more western food is influencing Chinese tastes. More Chinese people have acquired a taste for cheese because of the influx of pizza restaurants that have opened in recent years. Vincent Marion, a leading cheese importer based in Shanghai, said: "It's a real relief. It is now written in black and white that this category of cheese is legally importable." Cheese sales in China will be worth $820 million this year. This is an increase of nearly 25 per cent from last year.


1. CRUEL: Students A strongly believe force-feeding ducks is cruel and should be banned; Students B strongly disagree. Explain.
2. FOOD: What do you think of these kinds of food? What are the pros and cons? Complete this table.

 

What Do You Think?

Pros

Cons

Haute cuisine

 

 

 

Fast food

 

 

 

Home cooking

 

 

 

Nouvelle cuisine

 

 

 

Street food

 

 

 

Convenience food

 

 

 


3.Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1.

up in arms

a.

Put forward an idea or plan for consideration or discussion by others.

      2.

proposed

b.

The state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.

      3.

aspect

c.

Imposed or forced food, information or ideology upon someone.

      4.

force-fed

d.

A particular part or feature of something.

      5.

suffering

e.

Very angry.

      6.

unanimously

f.

Without compassion for misery or suffering; cruel.

      7.

inhumane

g.

With the agreement of all people involved.

    Paragraph 2

      8.

suing

h.

Directly or from personal experience.

      9.

file

i.

Taking someone to court to set right an unfair situation.

      10.

restriction

j.

Very angry; enraged.

      11.

intend

k.

Sell goods to the public.

      12.

incensed

l.

The limitation or control of someone or something, or the state of being limited or restricted.

      13.

first-hand

m.

Have a course of action as one's purpose or objective.

      14.

retail

n.

Submit a legal document, application, or charge to be placed on record by the appropriate authority.

 


4. SYNONYM MATCH A: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. top
  2. aspect
  3. enlarge
  4. ban
  5. inhumane
  6. suing
  7. restriction
  8. incensed
  9. first-hand
  10. retail
  1. enraged
  2. prohibit
  3. monstrous
  4. limitation
  5. sell
  6. leading
  7. personally
  8. feature
  9. taking to court
  10. expand

   SYNONYM MATCH B: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. reversed
  2. distinctive
  3. approved
  4. stated
  5. harmful
  6. lovers
  7. increasingly
  8. acquired
  9. relief
  10. increase

  1. adopted
  2. announced
  3. damaging
  4. overturned
  5. rise
  6. more and more
  7. particular
  8. comfort
  9. enthusiasts
  10. rubber-stamped

5. DIET: Students A strongly believe cheese should be part of everyone's diet; Students B strongly believe it shouldn't. Explain.

6. DAIRY PRODUCTS: What do you know about these dairy products? Complete this table  .

 

How it is made

How healthy it is

What are some non-diary alternatives?

Cheese

 

 

 

Milk

 

 

 

Butter

 

 

 

Yoghurt

 

 

 

Ice cream

 

 

 

Cream

 

 

 

7. CHEESE DISHES: Rank these with your partner. Put the tastiest at the top. 

  • cheese on toast
  • macaroni cheese
  • cauliflower cheese
  • palak paneer
  • cheesecake
  • cheeseburger
  • cheese sandwich
  • cheese fondue

8.Role play: Tell us the characteristics of each of these cuisines, what makes it stand out from other cuisines, the good and the bad about it and the one that  you prefer and why?

Role  A – Italian
You think Italian is the world's best cuisine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cuisine. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these and why

Role  B – Japanese
You think Japanese is the world's best cuisine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cuisine. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these and why.

Role  C – American
You think American is the world's best cuisine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cuisine. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these and why.  

Role  D – Indian
You think Indian is the world's best cuisine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cuisine. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these and why.

Role E – French

You think French is the world's best cuisine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cuisine. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these and why.

Role F- German

You think German is the world's best cuisine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cuisine. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these and why.

Role G – Middle Eastern

You think Middle Eastern is the world's best cuisine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cuisine. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these and why.

Role H- Canadian

You think Canadian is the world's best cuisine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cuisine. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these and why.

Role I – Spanish

You think Spanish is the world's best cuisine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cuisine. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these and why.

Role J – Mexican

Role K – Brazilian

Role L - Argentinian

Role M- Ukranian

Role N- Catalan

Role O- German

Role P - Peruvian

9.Discussion - Chefs angry at New York foie gras ban

  1. What do you know about foie gras?
  2. What is your favourite cuisine and why?
  3. What are the best things about your country's cuisine?
  4. Do you think New York is right to impose the ban?
  5. Have you ever had foie gras?
  6. Who would suffer if foie gras was banned?
  7. Would you be a good chef?
  8. Is force-feeding animals cruel and inhumane?
  1. What do you know about haute cuisine?
  2. Do you think the farmers will win their court case?
  3. Is eating food from force-fed animals freedom of choice?
  4. What is your favourite restaurant and why?
  5. When was the last time you were incensed?
  6. What do you think of the price of foie gras?
  7. What questions would you like to ask the chefs?

10.Discussion - China ends ban on smelly cheese

  1. What do you think of cheese?
  2. What do you know about cheese?
  3. How healthy is cheese?
  4. What do you think of bacteria in cheese?
  5. Why might the smelliest cheese taste the best?
  6. What's your favourite kind of cheese?
  7. How dangerous might cheese be?
  8. What does quarantine involve?
  1. What do you think about what you read?
  2. What's the best way to cook cheese?
  3. What's your favourite dairy product?
  4. What's a typical part of your diet?
  5. What do you think of pizza?
  6. How do you make cheese?
  7. What dishes do you know that use cheese?
  8. What questions would you like to ask a cheese lover?


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