| 1. TEAM USA REVEALED FOR THE NEXT BOCUSE D’OR: Preparations are underway for the 2021 Bocuse d’Or, a prestigious culinary competition. Ment'or, the organization that supports and oversees the training of the U.S. national team, revealed that chef Jeffery Hayashi of Senia Restaurant in Honolulu will be head chef, while William Barrera, who worked for the highly regarded Roy's in Honolulu, will be his commis. Hayashi competed for Team USA earlier this year. The 2021 team president will be chef Gavin Kaysen, who takes over for chef Thomas Keller. Food & Wine: “Hayashi and Barrera beat out two other finalist teams in a preliminary competition hosted at the Culinary Institute of America's Copia campus in Napa, California. The event lasted five hours and 35 minutes, and was modeled after the actual Bocuse d'Or competition—the plate theme was Ratatouille, and the platter theme was ‘Whole Chicken’ from Palisades Ranch in California... Team USA has been competing in the Bocuse d'Or since 1987—they took home silver in 2015, and gold in 2017. Hopefully, Hayashi and Barrera will be able to add another gold to those wins in 2021." 2. LATINA GIRLS REDEFINE THE QUINCEAÑERA: As can happen when a custom from another country takes on a life of its own in the United States, girls with Latin and Spanish heritage, or other unique backgrounds, are making dramatic changes to the quinceañera, a 15th birthday celebration for girls that is steeped in tradition. They generally have unspoken, but well known, dress codes and expected rituals. New York Times: “There is a growing generation of Latinos and Latinas who are choosing to redefine what quinceañeras mean, eschewing some of the old rules and expanding the purpose of the event. It is now more common to see quinces as celebrations of identity, including for queer and transgender individuals, and quinces that honor more than the transition to adulthood. Double quinces, for example, which are held by those turning 30, are being celebrated by an increasing number of people.” 3. WHICH N.F.L. TEAM SHOULD JEFF BEZOS BUY?: Following word that Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos is considering buying a professional football team, sports gurus are working overtime to match him up with the right team from the National Football League. Those being recommended all have successful histories, including the Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, and Dallas Cowboys, as well as two contenders from the big game—the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills. Mashable: “For Bezos, who's currently worth $111 billion, buying an N.F.L. team would be like spending the change he finds between couch cushions. The most expensive team sale in league history (so far) was the 2018 sale of the Carolina Panthers for around $2.3 billion. Plus, buying an N.F.L. team is a smart investment if you can, you know, actually afford it, as team valuations are increasing exponentially.” 4. CANNABIS BARS MAY BRING JOY TO 2019’S OFFICE HOLIDAY PARTIES: Move over alcohol: The next sanctioned vice at office Christmas parties could be cannabis. As states around the country legalize cannabis, 11 to be exact, “cannabars” have been popping up at weddings, and there’s speculation that corporate events aren’t far behind. The Daily Beast: “‘About 85 percent of our business is still focused on weddings, but we’re definitely picking up more regular corporate events,’ Bec Koop, co-owner, Irie Weddings and Events, told The Daily Beast. ‘[Weed bars] change the vibe of a company party… cannabis is a common denominator across all demographics—East Coast, West Coast, rich, poor, white, black, gay, straight; it brings people together.’” 5. 'AVENGERS: ENDGAME' TAKES HOME BEST MOVIE AWARD: Held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, the E! People’s Choice Awards ceremony Sunday night included top honors for Pink, Gwen Stefani, and Jennifer Aniston, while Avengers: Endgame took home the award for best movie. The Hollywood Reporter: "Among the other winners were Kevin Hart, making his first public appearance since he was involved in a serious car accident in September; Zendaya; Cole Sprouse; Jimmy Fallon; Blake Shelton; and Avengers: Endgame star Robert Downey Jr., who dedicated his award to the late Stan Lee." | 