#CBE Market

[globalinsightsservices]

Interesterified CBE Market Analysis and Forecast to 2031: By Source (Palm Oil, Shea Nut Oil, Coconut Oil, Others), Process (Chemical, Enzymatic), Application (Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics), and Region

[saintmeghanmarkle]

📋 𝐌𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐌 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐑𝐎, 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟒𝟎𝐱𝟒𝟎 📋

📌 ARO jam recipients (as of May 27th, 2024)

Tracy Robbins (designer, wife of Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins) *

Delfina Balquier (Argentine socialite, wife of Nacho Figueras) * and Nacho Figueras (professional polo player) *

Kelly Mckee Zajfen (friend, Alliance of Moms founder) *

Mindy Kaling (actress and comedian) *

Tracee Ellis Ross (actress, daughter of Diana Ross)

Abigail Spencer (friend, Suits co-star) *

Chrissy Teigen (television personality, wife of John Legend)

Kris Jenner ('Momager') *

Garcelle Beauvais (actress, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) *

Heather Dorak (friend, yoga instructor) *

📌 Archetypes podcast guests

Serena Williams 🏆

Mariah Carey 👑

Mindy Kaling (actress and comedian) *

Margaret Cho (comedian and actress)

Lisa Ling (journalist and tv personality)

Deepika Padukone (Indian actress)

Jenny Slate (actress and comedian)

Constance Wu (actress)

Paris Hilton (entrepreneur, socialite, activist)

Iliza Shlesinger (comedian and actress)

Issa Rae (actress and writer)

Ziwe (comedian and writer)

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau (former wife of Canadian PM Trudeau)

Pamela Adlon (actress)

Sam Jay (comedian and writer)

Mellody Hobson (President and co-CEO of $14.9B Ariel Investments, Chairwoman of Starbucks Corporation, wife of George Lucas)

Victoria Jackson (entrepreneur, wife of Bill Guthy: founder of Guthy-Renker, leading direct marketing company)

Jameela Jamil (actress, television host)

Shohreh Aghdashloo (Iranian and American actress)

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (actress and singer)

Candace Bushnell (Sex and The City writer)

Trevor Noah (South African comedian)

Andy Cohen (talk show host)

Judd Apatow (director, producer, screenwriter)

source

📌 40x40 participants

Adele 🌟

Amanda Gorman (poet and activist)

Amanda Nguyen (activist)

Ayesha Curry (actress, cooking television personality)

Ciara (singer and actress)

Deepak Chopra (author and alternative medicine advocate)

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris (former Surgeon General of California)

Elaine Welteroth (former Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue)

Dr. Ibram X Kendi (professor and anti-racism activist)

Fernando Garcia (creative director of Oscar de la Renta)

Gabrielle Union (actress)

Gloria Steinem (feminist journalist and social-political activist)

Hillary Clinton (politician, wife of former US President Bill Clinton)

Katie Couric (journalist) *

Kerry Washington (actress)

Chef José Andrés (founder of World Central Kitchen)

Melissa McCarthy (actress)

Princess Eugenie (member of British Royal Family)

Priyanka Chopra (actress)

Sarah Paulson (actress)

Sofia Carson (actress)

Sophie Grégoire Trudeau (former wife of Canadian PM)

Stella McCartney (fashion designer, daughter of Paul McCartney)

Dr. Theresa "Tessy" Ojo - CBE, FRSA (Diana Award CEO)

Tracee Ellis Ross (actress, daughter of Diana Ross)

Unconfirmed - Edward Enninful (former Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue)

Unconfirmed - Daniel Martin (makeup artist) *

An official list of all "40x40" participants was never disclosed

source 1 // source 2 // source 3

📌 Notes:

Names with an asterisk (*) indicate that they follow ARO on Instagram

Notably missing from these lists: Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and wife Nicole Avant, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, Beyoncé, Tina Knowles, Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Kevin Costner, Ellen DeGeneres, Portia Rossi *, Brooke Shields, John Travolta, Kelly Rowland, Holly Robinson Peete, Misan Harriman *, Michael Bublé

Wedding guests missing from these lists: Jessica Mulroney, George and Amal Clooney, David and Victoria Beckham, Idris Elba and Sabria Dhowre, James Blunt and Sofia Wellesley, Janina Gavankar, Elton John and David Furnish, James Corden and Julia Carey, Patrick J. Adams and the rest of the cast of Suits, Joss Stone, Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley, Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford [Source]

Sunshine Sachs must've called in a LOT of favors to get so many famous names on board the Archetypes Podcast and the 40x40 project. Vanity projects that went... nowhere.

Without Sunshine Sachs, IMO it's highly unlikely that M will ever be able to reach the same level of celebrity access on her own.

If there are any names missing from these lists, please comment below 👇

Post link

author: SeptièmeSens

submitted: May 27, 2024 at 06:44PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit

disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[scotianostra]

One of Scotland's most prolific novelists, Annie Shepherd Swan died on 17th June 1943.

Annie was a prolific novelist who specialised in light romantic fiction. The wider picture in Scotland at the time is set out in our Historical Timeline.

Annie Swan was one of seven children born into a farming family living in Gorebridge in Midlothian. She was educated at Edinburgh Ladies' College and her writing career began with children's stories and articles for religious magazines. Her first novel, published in 1878, was unsuccessful, but her second, "Aldersyde", published in 1883, made her name. This was a romance set in a coastal community in the Scottish Borders.

In 1883 Annie married James Burnett Smith, a schoolmaster, and they settled in Fife. Two years later they moved back to Edinburgh. when Annie's income from writing was sufficient to allow her to support her husband through a medical degree. In 1892 Annie and her husband moved to London, where he pursued his medical career and she established herself as one of the leading romantic novelists of the day, and also wrote for the women's magazines then starting to appear on the market.

In 1927 James Burnett Smith died, and Annie moved back to Scotland. In 1930 she was awarded a CBE in recognition of her contribution to literature. She died at Gullane in East Lothian in 1943, having written, by some estimates, over 197 novels during a career as an author that spanned some 60 years.

[salantami]

Michael and Shakira Caine

Shakira, Lady Caine (born 23 February 1947) is a British former actress, fashion model and beauty pageant titleholder who competed at Miss World 1967 where she was 2nd runner-up. She is of Indo-Guyanese descent, and is married to English actor Michael Caine.

The couple were married at the Algiers Hotel on 8 January 1973, and have one daughter.

Baksh is a Muslim, while her husband is a Christian. He reflected to The Guardian in 2009: "My wife is a Muslim and she does Muslim stuff; I'm a Christian and I do Christian stuff, and no questions ever come up. 

Sir Michael Caine CBE (born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite; 14 March 1933) is a retired English actor. Known for his distinctive Cockney accent. He has appeared in more than 160 films over a career that spanned eight decades and is considered a British film icon.

Michael Caine was born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite at St Olave's Hospital in the Rotherhithe district of London on 14 March 1933, the son of cook and charwoman Ellen Frances Marie (née Burchell; 1901–1989) and fish market porter also called Maurice Joseph Micklewhite (1899–1957). His father was a Catholic Irish Traveller. Caine was raised in his mother's Protestant faith. He had a younger brother, Stanley (1935–2013), who also became an actor, and an older maternal half-brother named David Burchell. He grew up in London's Southwark district; during the Second World War, he was evacuated 100 miles (160 km) to North Runcton, Norfolk, where he made his acting debut at the village school and had a pet horse called Lottie.

[camillasgirl]

Queen Camilla’s Patronages

The National Literacy Trust (Patron from 16.11.2010)

One person in six in the UK lives with poor literacy. This holds them back at every stage of their life. As a child they won’t be able to succeed at school, as a young adult they will be locked out of the job market, and on becoming a parent they won’t be able to support their child’s learning. Lacking these vital skills undermines their wellbeing and stops them making a full contribution to the economic and cultural life of our nation. We work to improve the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities, where up to 40 per cent of people have literacy problems. Our research and analysis make us the leading authority on literacy and drive our interventions. Because low literacy is intergenerational, we focus our work on families, young people and children.

We are incredibly grateful for Her Majesty’s support and commitment to the mission of the National Literacy Trust. Her Majesty’s visit to the Trust’s community programmes and Literacy Hubs in some of the poorest and most challenging parts of the country has been a source of inspiration for our teams and those we work with. As our Patron, Her Majesty’s belief in the power of reading and natural ability to encourage and engage children, families, adults and teachers has immeasurably strengthened our impact. - Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust

[hanskinlavina]

These are pictures from Thailand of our team working diligently✨

Our team visited ‘COSMOPROF CBE ASEAN BANGKOK’ on 13–15 JUNE 2024.

About Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN

Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN — the B2B show in Thailand to expand the beauty business in the fast-growing market of Southeast Asia. The third edition of Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN will take place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand from 13 to 15 June, 2024.

1,500 exhibitors and brands occupy approximately 22,000 square meters of exhibition space, showcasing innovative products tailored to meet the needs of consumers in South East Asia.

Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN represents the ASEAN destination of the Cosmoprof network, a 360° worldwide platform for the international beauty community, with shows in Bologna, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Mumbai and Miami which all together involve over 500,000 professionals and 10,000 exhibitors from all over the world.

If you have any questions, please contact us Han's kin :)

[justforbooks]

Peter Usborne, who has died aged 85, created a publishing company that changed the look and feel of nonfiction books for children. Although they were widely used in schools, Usborne books became a household brand, particularly associated with finding things out at home, through attractive illustrated, fact-filled publications that entertained children with high-quality pictures and accessible bites of information.

Before his publishing career, Peter was a co-founder in 1961 and the first managing director of the satirical magazine Private Eye. It grew out of a humorous magazine called Mesopotamia that Peter launched while a student at Balliol College, Oxford, with fellow students, among them John Wells and Richard Ingrams, as writers. On graduating, he used his best networking skills to secure funding to get the magazine launched, but left in 1965 to study for an MBA at the Insead (Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires) business school in Fontainebleau, France.

In 1964 he had married Cornelie Tücking and they went on to have two children, Nicola and Martin. Peter said that he had wanted to publish books for children from the moment he knew that he was going to be a father. In 1969, working for a publishing company, British Printing Corporation (BPC), as assistant to the chair, he asked to change tack and work in children’s books instead. He was given a publishing role at Macdonald Education in 1970, and his launch series was Macdonald Starters, a list of nonfiction titles for very young children that combined attractive but simple illustrations with a few words of text. They were conceived for the schools market, and designed to satisfy children’s boundless curiosity and need for answers to their questions. He eschewed subject specialists and instead used writers – including himself – who were able to communicate ideas easily and to make information-sharing lively.

After two years, Peter felt he had learned enough to set up his own company and in 1973 he launched Usborne Publishing, spurred on by the birth of his son. Peter described parenting as the “greatest gift” he had ever been given. Drawing on the model he had created at Macdonald Education, using in-house writers, illustrators and designers, Peter made sure Usborne Publishing could grow fast from secure foundations. Series such as the Know How books and the touchy-feely series That’s Not My … (now numbering 72 titles) became staples of the list. His infectious enthusiasm for the books brought great loyalty from the Usborne staff, who enjoyed the range of creative roles they were able to take on, as well as Peter’s sense of them as part of his extended family.

The quality of Usborne Publishing books, their recognisable look, their affordable cover price and the fact that they lived up to their ambition of making learning fun ensured they became a key part of childhood for many. For those who did not have easy access to bookshops, Peter set up a scheme through which Usborne books could be sold at local community events and gatherings.

When Robert Maxwell acquired BPC in 1981, Peter swiftly bought back the small stake that BPC had taken in Usborne Publishing. In 1995 he sold 26% of the company to Scholastic. It has continued to grow and now has an annual turnover in excess of £100m.

Peter never lost his own boundless curiosity or his belief in his motto for the company – “Do it better”. He remained involved with the business, latterly as chair, working in partnership with his daughter, who joined the company in 2015 and became CEO in 2022. Peter was appointed MBE in 2011, advanced to CBE in 2022. He received the London Book Fair lifetime achievement award in 2015, and Usborne Publishing was celebrated as publisher of the year in both 2012 and 2020.

He had always intended that Usborne Publishing would have a philanthropic programme. With his children, he set up the Usborne Foundation in 2008 with funds to be granted to education and health projects. The foundation has created sophisticated tech games based on the foundations of literacy learning, and accessible for children who struggle to read; and developed a literacy-based ebook series, Teach Your Monster to Read.

Imposingly tall, even when stooped by ankylosing spondylitis, a spinal condition with which he was diagnosed in his 30s, mildly spoken and with a boyish enthusiasm for books and their readers, Peter was a benign presence in children’s publishing. His generosity as a host of memorable parties and celebrations – most recently for 50 years of Usborne Publishing at the Bologna book fair in March – helped to generate huge affection for him and for Usborne.

Peter was born in Hampstead, London, the son of Thomas Usborne, a senior civil servant, and his German-born wife Gerda (nee Just). The family moved to Weybridge, Surrey, when Peter was a child and he was sent to school at Summer Fields, Oxford, and then Eton college; and from there went to Balliol.

His marriage to Cornelie ended in divorce in 1995. He is survived by his second wife, Wendy (nee Browning), whom he married in 2012, by Nicola and Martin, and by five grandchildren, Jesse, Caspar, Max, Olive and Hazel.

🔔 Thomas Peter Usborne, publisher, born 18 August 1937; died 30 March 2023

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

[systemtek]

British AI pioneers share £1 million in prizes as government unveils inaugural Manchester Prize finalists

Ten teams across the country have been chosen as finalists of the inaugural Manchester Prize, a prestigious challenge prize rewarding breakthroughs in AI for public good. Announced by the Prime Minister as the AI Seoul Summit gets underway today (Tuesday 21 May 2024), the finalists will each receive a share of £1 million to develop their solutions over the next eight months. Focusing on energy, environment, and infrastructure in its inaugural year, teams in the running for the final £1 million prize are working on breakthroughs in artificial intelligence which could help address food security, improve how solar energy flows into the electricity grid, and revolutionise battery manufacturing. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: With over 50,000 people already employed in the sector and billions expected to be generated for the UK economy over the next few years, the potential of AI innovation to help power our growth is huge. That’s why this funding is one of the best investments we can make. Viscount Camrose, Minister for AI and Intellectual Property said:  This prize puts brilliant British AI innovation at the heart of addressing some of our biggest shared challenges. A decade-long commitment by the government, we are supporting our peerless AI talent with an annual £1 million grand prize to bring through the next wave of game-changing technological solutions. I look forward to seeing our finalists develop their solutions further over the coming months, as we look to harness the incredible potential of AI to bring about transformative change in the fields of energy, the environment, and infrastructure. Among the finalists of the Manchester Prize are: - Quartz Solar AI Nowcasting by Open Climate Fix: Leveraging AI to forecast cloud formation, enhancing the integration of solar energy into the electricity grid. - CRE.AI.TIVE by Phytoform Labs: Addressing food security challenges through AI-driven discovery of crop traits resilient to climate change. - Greyparrot Insight by Greyparrot.ai: Employing AI waste analytics to map global waste flows, driving improvements in recycling and packaging design. - Polaron by Polaron: Revolutionizing battery manufacturing through AI-driven analysis of advanced materials. In its inaugural year, the Manchester Prize called upon the ingenuity of innovators, academics, entrepreneurs, and disruptors to submit their solutions utilising AI for public benefit. The prize garnered nearly 300 entries from UK-led teams, showcasing a diverse array of groundbreaking ideas. The finalists will each receive prizes of £100,000 to further develop their projects over the next eight months. Additionally, they will benefit from comprehensive support packages, including funding for computing resources, investor readiness support, and access to a network of experts, positioning them for success in the pursuit of the £1 million grand prize in spring 2025. The potential of AI-powered innovation to fuel economic growth is immense, with estimates suggesting it could generate £400 billion for the UK economy by 2030. Already, over 50,000 individuals are employed in the AI sector, and with projected market growth exceeding 15% in the next six years, there are vast opportunities for new businesses to thrive and contribute to the nation’s prosperity. The UK is already seeing the results of how AI can drive investment in its economy, with the recent announcement that British AI company Wayve has received a $1.05 billion investment to develop the next generation of AI-powered self-driving vehicles. Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Manchester Prize judge said: British innovators have been pivotal to the advancement of computer and information technology that has transformed the world we live in. AI has the potential to support productivity, improve delivery of public services, make our national infrastructure work better, and accelerate the transition to a net zero economy. Choosing only ten finalists from such a diverse field of applications was tough; picking a winner will be even harder. I’m looking forward to seeing how the ideas develop in the next few months. With AI already starting to unlock enormous opportunities in tackling climate change, transforming healthcare, and beyond, the Manchester Prize looks to spark more cutting-edge innovations in using AI for good, which will deliver real change for people across the country. The UK is committed to fostering innovation and harnessing the transformative power of AI for the betterment of society. As these projects continue to evolve and make strides towards tangible impacts, they serve as testament to the UK’s position at the forefront of AI innovation on the global stage. To find out more about the Manchester Prize and follow the progress of all ten finalists, visit manchesterprize.org Read the full article

[deltaponline]

Keynote at Europump Annual Meeting: CIRPASS project - defining the framework for the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP)

  Europump (the European Pump Association) which represents 15 National Associations across the continent of Europe has now finalised the programme of talks and presentations for its 2024 Annual Meeting, which takes place in Windsor, UK from 22nd – 24th May. Hosted by the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) and sponsored by WEG – a world leader in motor, drive, and asset management systems technology – this key event for the international pump sector will deliver a comprehensive programme of meetings and presentations that offers commercial value at a practical level for Europe’s pump manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to the sessions dedicated to the activities of the various Europump Commissions – Technical, Standards, Marketing, SME – a complement of invited speakers will share their knowledge and expertise on a range of topical issues.

Carolynn Bernier, Research Engineer at CEA As well as the four Keynote presentations already announced, the team behind this prestigious gathering of pump executives, is delighted to now welcome Carolynn Bernier, Research Engineer at CEA, and the consortium coordinator of the CIRPASS project, in charge of defining the framework for the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP). Carolynn holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto and a PhD in Microelectronics from the National Polytechnic Institute of Grenoble. Her background is in integrated circuit design for IoT wireless communications and her current research activities include smart embedded perception systems, and digital technologies for the circular economy and sustainable electronics. With Digital Product Passports (DPP) expected to come into force by 2027, and gradually expanded to a wide range of product groups, including pumps and their related systems, Carolynn’s presentation, entitled ‘Digital Product Passports – the current state of play’ will provide delegates with important updates and an increased understanding of DPP deployment. It will take place on the morning of 23rd May, ahead of the presentation by Mike Otten, Director, Edge & Intelligence, Xylem, which will address the impact of Artificial Intelligence for the pump manufacturing industry, and how to harness the power of Digital Twins and Generative AI for an evolution of the sector. During the afternoon, as part of the Marketing and SME Commission Updates, Kiran Ahmed, Lead Economist, Oxford Economics, will present the key findings from the 2024 World Pump Report, which will have been published just weeks before the event. Then, on the morning of Friday 24th May, Daniel Godinho, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Director, WEG, in tandem with Martin Brand, Engineering Director, WEG, will offer a fascinating talk on the ethical, ecological, and commercial benefits of sustainability. This will be directly followed by Stephen Phipson CBE, Chief Executive, Make UK, who will provide an overview of the political arena in the UK and its impact on the manufacturing sector both at home and abroad. Commenting on the impressive line-up of Keynote Speakers, Europump’s Secretary General, Lisa Kretschmann, said: “We are delighted to have secured the engagement of such renowned experts, who’s wisdom and insight will be of immense value to our audience of senior pump executives. The overall programme of meetings, presentations and discussions ensure this is a must-attend event for all those looking to navigate their way through the complexities of pump engineering over the coming months and years. As such, I would encourage anyone not already booked in to the event to do so straight away.” Full details on the event, including further information on the venue, its location and travel arrangements can be found on the dedicated website. The online booking system is simple to use, and a promotional video, illustrating all aspects of the event is also available to view on the site - www.Europump2024.com.   Read the full article

[thxnews]

UK Artists' Royalty Boom in Australia Unveiled

In a commendable stride towards fair trade and artist recognition, the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has ushered in a new era for UK artists, guaranteeing them royalties whenever their work finds new owners in Australia. This historic agreement not only fortifies the financial foundation of artists but also cements the UK's position as a frontrunner in the global creative economy.  

The Essence of Change

At the heart of this transformative policy is the Artist’s Resale Right (ARR), a lifeline for creators who derive a significant portion of their income from the resale of their work. With the ARR now extended to Australia, UK artists can anticipate a new revenue stream, bolstering their earnings and, by extension, their ability to continue their creative pursuits. It's no small change. In 2021, British artists exported £10 million worth of items to Australia, a testament to their coveted talent and the vibrancy of the Australian art market. The FTA is not just a policy adjustment; it's a recognition of the invaluable cultural exchange between the two nations, promising to enrich both countries' artistic landscapes.   A New Chapter in Creative Trade Trade Policy Minister Greg Hands remarked on the significance of this agreement, emphasizing the UK's commitment to nurturing its artistic talent and ensuring their fair compensation on a global scale. This move aligns with the broader vision of post-Brexit Britain, seeking to establish itself as a hub of creative excellence and equitable trade practices. Similarly, Creative Industries Minister Julia Lopez highlighted the government's dedication to the growth of the creative industries, acknowledging the new FTA as a pivotal component of this mission. By aligning the UK's ARR with Australia's, the agreement fosters a more equitable and supportive environment for artists, ensuring their work's enduring impact and financial viability.  

A Fairer Future for Artists

Under the updated legislation, UK artists will now receive a 5% royalty from the sale of artworks in Australia, a gesture that rectifies a long-standing disparity in the global art market. Moreover, this agreement signifies a broader shift towards recognizing and compensating artistic labor, setting a precedent for future international collaborations. The adjustment from calculating ARR royalties in euros to pounds post-Brexit is another noteworthy development, simplifying the process for UK businesses and reflecting a more localized approach to the creative economy. This change, effective from 1 April, mirrors the UK's efforts to tailor its policies to better serve its domestic market and industries.   A Collaborative Effort Towards Global Recognition The enthusiasm surrounding this development is palpable among the creative community and the institutions that represent them. Harriet Bridgeman CBE of the Artists’ Collecting Society and Christian Zimmerman of The Design and Artists Copyright Society have both expressed their optimism about the reciprocal arrangement's potential to significantly benefit artists and estates in both the UK and Australia. This agreement not only facilitates a smoother exchange of artistic works but also embodies a shared commitment to nurturing and protecting creative talents across borders. It marks a significant milestone in the quest for a more equitable and interconnected global art ecosystem.  

What it Means

The UK-Australia FTA represents a monumental step forward for UK artists, promising not just a windfall of royalties but also a reinforcement of the value placed on creative work. As this policy takes effect, it paves the way for a richer, more diverse art market, ensuring that artists are compensated fairly for their contributions to the cultural and economic vitality of both nations. It's a bright new chapter for UK artists, one that heralds a future where creativity is not just celebrated but sustainably supported.   Sources: THX News, Department for Business and Trade, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Julia Lopez MP, & The Rt Hon Greg Hands MP. Read the full article

[manoramaxting]

Crunching Numbers in Cocoa Butter Business

In the realm of confectionery, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, cocoa butter stands as a versatile and indispensable ingredient. However, as demand for this creamy, aromatic substance continues to surge, so does the scrutiny of its pricing and the emergence of its equivalents.

The global market for cocoa butter has been subject to fluctuations in recent years, leading to a profound impact on its price. Cocoa butter, derived from the fat of cocoa beans, is a crucial component in the production of chocolates, skincare products, and pharmaceuticals. The intricate process of extracting cocoa butter, coupled with factors such as climate change and geopolitical influences, contributes to the volatility in its pricing.

The price of cocoa butter is intricately linked to the cocoa bean market, which, in turn, is heavily influenced by climatic conditions and political stability in major cocoa-producing regions. Unfavourable weather patterns, pests, and diseases affecting cocoa crops can lead to a decrease in supply, causing a subsequent surge in cocoa butter prices. Additionally, geopolitical factors, such as trade regulations and political unrest in cocoa-producing countries, can disrupt the supply chain, contributing to market fluctuations.

As the price of cocoa butter experiences these ebbs and flows, manufacturers are exploring alternatives, giving rise to the concept of cocoa butter equivalent.This equivalent is a substance that mimics the properties of cocoa butter but may not be sourced directly from cocoa beans. These alternatives aim to provide cost-effective solutions to industries reliant on cocoa butter while maintaining product quality.

The use of cocoa butter equivalent has sparked debates within the industry, with some purists arguing that the unique flavour and texture of authentic cocoa butter cannot be replicated. However, proponents of CBEs highlight their economic advantages and sustainability benefits. By reducing dependency on traditional cocoa butter, industries can navigate price volatility and contribute to more stable market conditions.

In conclusion, the price of cocoa butter is a multifaceted issue influenced by a myriad of factors. From climate change affecting cocoa bean cultivation to geopolitical tensions impacting supply chains, the cocoa butter market is inherently dynamic. In response to these challenges, the emergence of cocoa butter equivalents provides industries with an alternative that not only addresses pricing concerns but also contributes to the pursuit of sustainable practices in an ever-evolving market.

[research-masters]

Specialty Fats Market Forecast 2024 to 2032

Specialty fats are a category of fats and oils that have been modified or formulated to possess specific functional, nutritional, or sensory properties. These fats are designed to meet specific requirements for various applications in the food industry, including baking, confectionery, dairy, and processed foods. Specialty fats can be derived from both animal and plant sources, and they undergo various processes to achieve the desired characteristics.

The Specialty Fats Market was valued at USD 40,963.45 Million in 2022 and is expected to register a CAGR of 4.90% by 2032.

Consumers are increasingly looking for healthier and more diverse food options. Specialty fats can be formulated to meet specific nutritional requirements, such as reduced trans fats, lower saturated fats, or enhanced omega-3 content, aligning with changing dietary preferences.

Get a Free Sample Copy

Market Segmentation (by Type) •CBE •CBS •CBR •MFR •CBI •Margarine •Shortening •Frying Oil •Spraying Oil

Market Segmentation (by Application) •Household •Restaurant •Industry •Others

Key Company •Bunge •Cargill •Wilmar •Fuji Oil •Nisshin OilliO •Apical Group •AAK AB •PT SMART •Mewah Group •NMGK Group •IFFCO •Musim Mas •COFCO •Sime Darby Oils •Goodhope •Puratos •3F Industries •Hain Celestial •Liberty Oil Mills •Oleo-Fats •New Britain Oils

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[thewestern]

Chapter 9

How could she turn Howlie against me like that?

Billy agonized over why his mother would gleefully torment him so. Through the dense fog of his denial and regret, she could spot his most painful failures as they bobbed beneath the surface like jagged icebergs and set a course bearing zero degrees toward them in the flow of casual conversation. As if it were he who broached the subject to begin with. (I.e. stop hitting yourself.) Heartbreaking though it surely was, Billy could just as well admit, unmitigatedly, Howlie had been an abject disaster. Despite an aggressive rollout and distribution playbook, bolstered by the full faith and credit of the Wolffenbeir Company and its behemoth marketing machine, like a lame gazelle calf on the Serengeti, the nascent brand failed to gain any footing among what was identified to be the target demographic segment — Craft Beer Explorers. Who is a Craft Beer Explorer? Meet Evan, a twenty-seven-year-old investment analyst at a commercial real estate brokerage, and Amanda, a twenty-six-year-old corporate attorney. Diverse young professionals with disposable incomes and an adventurous yearning for fresh experiences as expressed via purposeful consumer choices.  

It requires courage of a man to admit his mistakes, Billy once wrote to himself in a Journal of Affirmations. But to learn and grow from those bitter disappointments, and to stunt all over one’s haters — well, that requires courage … of Conviction. (Beneath that he transcribed the unattributed quote: Not all who wander are lost … Beside that the margin note: tattoo idea?! Inner bicep?? … Thus consisted of this journal’s sole entry.) 

But who is a Craft Beer Explorer, really? He asked himself this rhetorically. Billy, is a Craft Beer Explorer, he answered his own question. I Am a Craft Beer Explorer, he reiterated to himself, muttering aloud now. CBE, It Me. He was so, in every sense of the term that he made up. Apart from the Beer, that is. Insofar as that he didn’t actually drink the stuff, for reasons that are not important. But yes, beside that rather definitional characteristic, he very much embodied the Ethos of a CBE. Himself a young professional, navigating this digital landscape, in search of meaning and with the means to pay for it, handsomely. Who wanted desperately to engage and identify with brands of substance and character. Rather than churning Customers, brands which nurture a genuine connection to their Users and Followers. Brands that would travel the last mile to truly understand him. Brands that would help him to shape his understanding of himself. His own brand. In bright lights on the marquee: B*I*L*L*Y.  

But don’t you see, he had it all wrong. Howlie was his level best attempt to live his mother’s truth. Not the truth about Billy. The Billy of it all. Let’s talk about Billy, baby. We need to talk about Billy. Billy was a different person, and more importantly a different marketing executive, living in a different time. This was the future — the one we always dreamed of. Brand mascots didn’t resonate with his generation. They had tuned out advertising in general. (Don’t try to dig what we all s-s-s-say.) We don’t buy print magazines or listen to terrestrial radio or watch linear cable. Just check the going rate for a glossy insert or an on-air live read or a 30-second TV spot — plummeted, the lot of them, to all time lows. Because we will not be Sold To. Not anymore. A new contract is being written, in which both parties — buyer and seller — enter into a non-binding resolution — a social contract. Sellers are now our Partners. And we are more than merely Buyers, mindlessly consuming. We are Shareholders, Investing with Mindfulness. In these, the human capital markets. (Murder capital, where we murder for capital.) Where there exists a Sense of Equity for All. 

The time had come for Brands to Act. No longer reactively to consumer trends, but proactively in anticipation of those trends as they crest the cultural zeitgeist. Forecasting trends. Creating trends, even. Cloud seeding, for trends. It will demand an unparalleled understanding of our customer partners. We need to know them, at a cellular level. What were their likes and their dislikes … their hopes and their fears … their wants and their needs. 

Their Wants and their Needs — what is the delta between the two? 

How do we activate within that white space? That’s our blue ocean. We identify that, then we’re in the red zone. It’s all systems go — green light.

Traditional brand marketing, as we know it, is insufficient … Nay, obsolete.

Internal solutions can’t solve for external problems. 

The Era of R&D has come to an end. All that researching and all that developing were all too costly and all too time-consuming. 

This is the dawning of the Age of Acquisition. (Let the sunshine. Let the sunshine in. The sun — shine in.) Why try to steer the aircraft carrier around the craft beer buoy, when we could buy a jet ski with which to jump over the wake? Gone are the days, of the Wolffenbeir Company debasing itself to compete with these peons on their playing field. We will buy the players … And the field … And the naming rights to the stadium. (Stadium construction to be paid for with taxpayer dollars.) Build an entire portfolio of craft brands. Ones with pre-existing customer loyalties. Move boldly toward an event horizon wherein the Wolffenbeir-name would itself become synonymous with Craft. Whereby any well-traveled Beer Explorer would reach the inevitable conclusion: 

The only good craft beer is a Wolffenbeir craft beer. 

Billy needed to establish a beachhead in this total war. He couldn’t just acquire any brewery. Don’t you get it? This was going to set the tone for the entire portfolio. It had to have the horsepower to blaze the trail on Billy’s roadmap for Wolffenbeir Two-Point-Ayo. He had identified such a defector. It was right in their backyard. The ultimate brand weapon to help Billy lead the company boldly into the future. 

Wolffenbeir would join forces with #x_brüing.   

They were the perfect candidate for strategic acquisition. A charismatic founder in Jaime Delano, whose own vision and values aligned seamlessly with Billy’s. A digitally native brand with rockstar engagement metrics. (They have a fucking hashtag in their name!) Credibility as a compassionate and community-driven corporate citizen through their participation in the One Percent for the Planet initiative, for which Billy sat on the board of advisors. (You down with OPP? Yea, I’m Bil-ly.)

Together, Billy and Jaime would reinvent craft beer. Hold up, wait a minute … they would reinvent Beer. Period stop. The #x_brüing taproom would be a retail laboratory. The world’s first Incubeertor. Where they would iterate on a holistic, digital-integrated drinking experience. Automated kiosks taking the place of bartenders, facilitating frictionless transaction, and monitoring payment and purchase decision indicators at the point of sale (PoS). Smart Glassware for detecting fluctuation in biometric markers with each and every sip. Three-sixty imaging for analysing socio-behavioral patterns and demographic distributions. Real-time gamification for rewarding positive brand interactions and incentivizing personal disclosures. 

Don’t you see? Billy was living this truth his mother couldn’t even begin to understand. They were not a Beer Company. They were a Data Company. 

Because beer is only the beginning. (Damn, son … That’s fire! Write that shit down.)

Wolffenbeir x x_brüing (:Beer Is Only The Beginning) had the product market fit and growth potential to scale across verticals. The proprietary data mining and enrichment systems possessed endless application. In the office, on your commute, at the airport, in your hotel room. At the gym, in your kids’ classroom, at home. In the kitchen, on the toilet, by your bedside. 

Sounds crazy, don’t it? Well ask yourself this: When do people reveal the most about themselves? Maybe a little too much. After they’ve had a couple pops. They’ll tell you whatever you don’t want to hear. But we do …

Because with each and every Smart Glass of beer served, Wolffenbeir will open another tiny window into your soul. And from our side of that one-way mirror, If, we can understand the way you drink, then we can begin to understand the way you eat, the way you work, the way you learn, the way you communicate, the way you travel, the way you sleep, the way you make love … The way you live.  

###

Whoa, Billy. Slow it down now, kidd … Ur finna bust a nut, player. His mind was racing through this elevator pitch freestyle — a memorandum manifesto, rhapsody in Powerpoint — all dinner long. Inspired though he was by his own lofty rhetoric, Billy knew Hildy wouldn’t fuck with the vision. Eventually he was going to start the revolution, but she was the international arms dealer, so he had to cop the straps from her first. There was simply no way around it — he had to finesse his mother.  

It felt like his whole life had led up to this moment to seize everything he ever wanted. Spaceships don’t come equipped with rearview mirrors; that’s right, I work for NASA. Billy wasn’t a businessman… He was a Business, Man. About that business, bitch. Doing million-dollar deals from his personal digital assistant. First name: Ever. Last name: Greatest. Middle name: Josef. Pop a wheelie on the zeitgeist. 

And so on and so forth. This was approximately how Billy sounded to himself, inside of his head. 

Here is how he sounded out loud: 

Yes … 

Erm … 

Maybe … 

Hildy could tell he was working himself up to something. Bracing for impact, she reached to replenish her Château Lafite-Rothschild, Nineteen Ninety. She wished that Ariel — himself a stocky sip of Manischewitzchewitz — had been here to see her third-empty glass and anticipate her thirst. But then if you wanted something done right you had to do it yourself. In the process of drinking herself to death, Hildy’s mother quite deftly had disguised the acceleration of her degenerative alcoholism as a passion for French fine wine. As such, she had amassed quite an auxiliary cellar here at the Wolffenhaus, all for the express purpose of sedating herself through another agonizing Sonntagsessen, alone with the children and her father-in-law and his housemistress. Although not explicitly bequeathed as such, Hildy considered the Bordeauxs to be part of her inheritance — reperation for their role in her parental neglect — and was slowly but surely working her way through the better vintages. However since her brother contested her sole claim (apart from said parental neglect, an expensive pallet was about all these Wolff pups had in common), it was incumbent upon her that she drink deliberately. Also, most of the bottles were well past their peak, declining into maturity. A cork can only last so long before it disintegrates, not unlike one’s will to live.

Mind you, unlike her son, Hildy could drink beer. Simply she chose not to. Never really had a taste for the stuff, to be perfectly honest. 

Yes—what, darling? 

Uh … Well, I was wondering if you got a chance to meet Jaime at the function this afternoon, at the New Frontier. He’s the founder of #x_brüing. They’re part of the One Percent for the Planet project to which I’m a board advisor. The one I told you about?

One Percent for What Was That? You’ll have to refresh my memory, sweetheart.

She said as she dismissively swirled her glass. (Is there any other way, to swirl one’s glass?) 

Yes. As I’ve said before, it's a consortium of socio-enviornmentally conscious companies which have pledged one percent of their profits to causes that benefit the Collective Good. 

Is that so? A whole percent. For the Planet Earth. I wonder … If global warming is the extinction-level event our leading scientists would lead one to believe that indeed it is, wouldn’t mounting a sufficient defence require marshalling a greater percentage of our surpluss resources than just the One. Quite literally the least one could do, at least speaking in terms of an integer. Have many companies of any significance signed on? I can’t imagine they would. One percent of our net could save all the whales, and I suppose their friends the dolphins, too. A shame then they don’t own voting shares. 

Yes. Well really I was only wondering if you met Jaime. You know he was there as a guest of the Mayor’s. 

Isn’t Larry just the consummate host? And a showman, not to mention. You missed quite the spectacle staying in the car, playing with your Thingy. 

Mother, as I told you — I had an important email that required my urgent response.  

Of course … Always with the Emails. You know while you’re staring down, twiddling your thumbs, passing notes at the back of the class, the actual business is happening all around you. And as for Larry, it’s clear to me you’re not fond of him, for whatever earthly reason, but you really should see the way he works a crowd. In a matter of minutes all those large, bearded men were eating out of the palm of his hand. He had more than their votes for governor. They would have mounted a charge on the capitol itself, right then and there on his order. And I know how you’re sensitive about this, but it wouldn’t hurt you to learn a thing or two about public speaking. Charisma … For a Chief Executive, it’s more than a nice-to-have. Nowadays at least. They have to love you, in the current climate. It used to be they could just as well fear you. But that Dickensian management style has fallen somewhat out of fashion. Your Great Grandfather Wolff was one of the last of them. The old lions. Although his was a sort of anti-charisma. Still gives me a shiver. All these years later. Since he went splat, so to speak.

Jesus, Mom. Jaime. Did you meet him?

Now Billy was losing patience, and thus the upper hand. This fucking always happened with Hildy. Wilhelm Wolff the Third. I detect the agitation in your tone and I’ll thank you to adjust it accordingly. 

You’re right, mother. My apology. It’s just—I was really hoping you got a chance to chat with Jaime, the founder of #x_brüing. He’s a highly impressive beer entrepreneur and—

Speak up, please. You know I can’t hear when you murmur. My ears aren’t as big as yours. 

I said, he’s a highly impressive beer entrepreneur—

Oh, Billy. Don’t be ridiculous. Now you’re talking too loudly. Lower your voice to an appropriate volume. 

—and I think you two would have a lot in common. 

Hildy waited to respond, for as long as it took to make emphatically clear the extent to which she was frustrated by this conversation. 

Well no, sweetheart … I did not have the pleasure with your friend. If you were so eager for me to make his acquaintance, perhaps you could have removed yourself from the car and personally made the introduction. Couldn’t you have? HI-may, did you say? What is that? Hispanic?

Mom — I don’t know. I think he’s a third Portuguese or something. It doesn’t matter. 

Oh, I’m afraid that isn’t possible, sweetie. You can be half, you can be a quarter, an eighth … you can even be a sixteenth — something. But you simply cannot be a third-anything. Although, Portuguese, perhaps if you had to make the case. What with all the Mixing that was done on the Iberian Peninsula. 

Hildy had a fancy way of doing everything, even sounding racist.  

No, I meant it doesn’t matter whether he’s Mexican or Portuguese or Span— 

I’m quite sure it matters to HI-may and whichever the three sides of his family who came from there. You should know better, the descendent of a European immigrant yourself. Even if you’re not fresh off the boat as I suspect this Jaime character to be. Consider your good fortune, to be a full generation removed from the curmudgeonly old Kraut. I can use that word. Oh, how I’d prefer to be Spanish or Portuguese or even Italian. To German, I mean. Apart from being English, which of course I’d most prefer. Unabashed Anglophile that I am. But if we couldn’t speak Queen’s, then aren’t the romance languages rather … Well, you what I’m trying to say. Comparatively, the Germanic dialects are coarse, like sandpaper. I hypothesize that the sound coming out is a violent protest against what’s forced within. The cuisine, I mean, if one could call it that. The sheer length of white sausage served … at this very table. One could line the links all the way from here back to Munich. Every Bavarian dish. I’d have sent them all back. That’s had I the choice in the matter, which I certainly did not. I don’t know how you could have survived, what with your Selective Appetite. 

(Hildy loved to prod him about his picky eating. Before you join her in judgement, Billy would ask you to consider this: Fuck You. Matter fact, how dare you? Only god can judge me. Additionally, it’s a disease, homes. With a mother fucking name — Avoidant-slash-restrictive food intake disorder [ARFID]. Affects point three to three percent of the total population. What are you going to say now?)

You’d have gone on a hunger strike. And we know how the old man dealt with those, don’t we? He’d have bungee corded the Gatling Gun to his wheelchair and rolled it in here himself. You know it is still back there somewhere. The mediator made him promise to destroy it, as part of their collective bargaining terms of unconditional surrender, as he insisted on calling them. But he kept it as an insurance policy, or perhaps a souvenir. One of the few times I was ever allowed to bring a schoolmate to der Sonntagsessen, she and I happened upon the thing, to our utter horror. In the library, of all places. Just sitting there, like furniture. Oh, who was it? Yes, that’s right … It was Bernadette, Bernice … No Bernadette. Bernadette Someone. I can’t quite recall, you see, because she didn’t want to be my friend anymore, I’m afraid. Not after such a macabre experience. It was like one of those awful public service messages.  

—Mother … I’m asking you about Jaime because I want to talk to you about the Beverage Advancement Division. With the key learnings from the FMP launch … 

FMP? Again, Billy, must we, with this? For the final time, I do not speak Acronym. And also must we discuss business at the table. It is der Sonntagsessen, after all. We can show some deference to family tradition, can’t we? 

Full Moon Pale. FMP stands for Full Moon Pale, Mother. And yes, we must discuss business. Family is our business. All Opa ever did at this table or anywhere was talk business. 

Not with me, he didn’t. And a word of advice: you would not be wise to emulate your grandfather’s interpretation of work-life balance, which even for its time was positively medieval. See where it got him. 

Hildy raised her right hand above her head, arched her wrist and pinched her fingers downward, in the fashion that she was flamboyantly salting a large cut of meat. Then she lowered her arm so as to mimic a freefall onto the dining table, where she splayed her palm, simulating the moment of impact. This as she gestured her head leftways — and effortfully lifted her eyebrows in parallel — toward the direction of the driveway where Wilhelm I had face-planted to his past-timely demise.

Mother, I want to acquire #x_brüing. 

After all the build-up in his head. The future of beer, This. A revolution in marketing, That. Billy just came out and said it. So much for committing to the hard sell. At least he seemed to have finally gotten Hildy’s attention. She re-raised an eyebrow and reached back for her wine glass as if to say, well, go on then. 

I mean we should—it would be prudent to acquire. #x_brüing— 

That is, I think, if you were open to pursuing strategic alternatives, well we could consider acquisition in the craft beer space, and if you assess the business to be sound, I think #x_brüing would profile to be a highly viable candidate. 

Hildy took a moment in performative consideration, preparing her boilerplate response in the negative to requests of this and other natures. Billy choked on her silence.

You’re suggesting the Wolffenbeir Company make its first acquisition in nearly a century? Since your grandfather acquired the Ceramics division before the War. Do I have that right, my darling boy? 

Um, not necessarily suggesting … Suggesting for your consideration, more like, I would say.

Oh, bloody hell, Billy! Grow some backbone! Make your ask and stand by it. 

Okay … Yes. Can we acquire #x_brüing? Mom. Please. 

You know, it’s not a bad idea.

Billy heard the word Bad and assumed the worst before turning a double take. 

Wait … For real? 

Oh please, don’t use that kind of language. And yes, I’m being serious. Quite.  Have you ever known your mother to play silly games? No, let’s play this out. Consider for a moment the Beverage Advancement Division. Why go on wasting all this time and money on propping up these imposter brands? For a fraction of the cost, couldn’t we buy an existing brand and fold it into our portfolio?

Yes, Mother! That is exactly what I am saying! 

I’ve come to the troubling realization that advertising doesn’t work on your generation. The spoils of war have changed. We aren’t fighting the good fight like we once were, for our customers’ hearts and their minds. That battlefield is a charred wasteland. The villages have all been burned. What this is, this is a guerilla campaign we are waging. Pillaging all that’s left. Amputation of the final, dangling fragments of your attention. 

As such, the rules of engagement no longer apply. It’s acquire or be acquired. No honor among thieves, I suppose. Because haven’t we exhausted all other avenues? They must be made to assimilate to our way of doing business. It’s the only way to deal with them — these glorified hobbyists.

Mother, I love you! You’re a genius! 

Oh, come off it now. Flattery doesn’t suit you. Anyway, you shouldn’t be so bashful; it was Your idea, after all. Be an advocate for yourself and take a little credit, for god’s sake. For whatever vision you possess, it’s as if you lack the self-esteem to adequately see it through, although I can’t for the life of me fathom why. 

When it came to giving compliments, Hildy had a wicked backhand volley, which coincidentally was also the strength of her tennis game. Billy didn’t play sports and was well past being able to detect any ulterior meaning on behalf of Hildy whatsoever.

Thank you, Mother.

You’re welcome, Wilhelm. You see. And it was a fine idea. Such a very fine idea that I beat you to it.

Again, Billy was half a beat behind. 

Wait. What?  

Yes, dear. I’m afraid that a version of your plan has already been set into motion, by yours truly if you can believe it. It would appear that you do share at least some of your mother’s business intuition. And of that fact, you should be immensley proud indeed. Although I do think it was a fairly obvious next step, strategically. 

In any event, a company-wide memo is set to send out tomorrow morning, first thing. The Beverage Advancement Division is undergoing a modest restructuring of sorts. Effective immediately, the Beverage Advancement—And Acquisition—Division will initiate preliminary negotiations with a number of market leaders in the emerging craft beer space. It’s all very exciting. 

Ah. Okay. Yes. Very exciting. Um … will I be leading the negotiations then? I mean as the interim director? 

Oh, sweetheart, no. I thought that was clear. You are being relieved of the interim title and placed on semi-permanent assignment. Also effective immediately, ahem, you have been selected to be the inaugural and sole participant in the new Wolffenbeir Executive Leadership Program. Congratulations. 

But why Mom … I mean I don’t understand. I was only just starting to get my bearings with the Beverage Advancement Division … 

… And Acquisition. Remember the modest restructuring. 

… Yes, and acquisition. That’s exactly it. I really do think with my market intelligence, I could be a major value add in the acquisition phase. Like I was saying. I have these ideas, and, and— … 

Yes, you do have ideas. But don’t you think the key learnings from Full Moon Pale Ale and its crash landing, such as it was, were that this position requires an executive with more — how shall I put it — Implementation Experience? I blame myself, really. It was too much managerial responsibility, too fast. At least for where you are, professionally. And for that matter, personally, wouldn’t you agree? In light of your recent Sabbatical, I mean. But buck up, Billy boy, because the Wolffenbeir Executive Leadership Program will provide you with exactly the tools you need to be more successful in your future endeavors. 

Mother, I really think … 

But that’s just it! You have a nasty tendency to overthink these things. Overthink and Underdo. Beside, you haven’t even heard about the program! It’s a two-year rotation through a comprehensive cross-section of the company, with a strong emphasis on the production and operations side. Packaging, distribution, QA/QC … the brewery proper, of course. You’ll learn the beer business from the bottom up. Just like my father did. I have no doubt that it will be a wonderful learning experience. What I wouldn’t give to have been afforded such ample opportunity for advancement in my own career.

Billy was despondent. Two years … Where, on the loading dock?. Wearing safety goggles and a hard hat, like a dickhead. Or even worse, the lab. Peering into graduated cylinders like he had the slightest idea what he was looking for. Counting bubbles. This was no fast track to the C-Suite. She was handing him a one-way ticket to Siberia — The Brewing Gulag. Committing professional seppuku on his behalf.

As Billy pondered on his impending exile, Chef Fuji shuffled into the dining room for to make his final offering for the evening. Saba (サバ, mackerel) — a fish oft-overlooked by American diners on Japanese menus for its robustness of taste and aroma … Too fishy, they would say. Hand-selected by Chef Fuji’s brother from the fish market in their home prefecture on the southernmost island, it was then flown in overnight, traveling forward through time to arrive on this table. He placed the dish first in front of Hildy, then Billy, bowed, and about faced, returning to his station. 

Chef had toiled his whole life away in kitchens. Starting with a decades-long apprenticeship before he could even begin working in earnest; it took a whole year just to learn to cook the rice. Someday, Tatsuhiro will have a large house, he would affirm to himself, gutting bluefin tuna by the school, each in one fluid motion, for hours upon hours on end. Before he and his fellow chefs’ apprentices retired to their crude barracks. Now here he was, in a larger house than he could have ever dreamed before. But alas it was not his large house. (And for that thank goodness, because it was crumbling all around him — the Wolffenhaus was a real fixer-upper. The kitchen was especially decrepit. All the appliances and cookware had been ordered away for out of some catalogue by one of Wilhelm I’s early-period spouses. The grease had been accumulating ever since. Tastes from every decade, preserved in the tiny crevasses.) No, he was here to serve. To humbly present the sum total of his thirty-year culinary odyssey in five courses. For the likes of Billy to blithely turn away in disgust. But that was fine by him. Chef Fuji did not know this person, and yet he felt pity for him. He could tell by the way Billy slumped in his chair. He is koshinuke (腰抜け).

Billy looked down at the fish, as if through the powers of ADHD, he could turn it into something more palatable. A chicken nugget. Longingly he gazed, looking for his reflection in the slimy silver scales, his face fileted into four pieces. The vinegary odor which wafted off from its overcast, lacteous flesh was abrasive. He looked up and out, past his mother, through the elk antler candelabra — a design flourish of Wife Three, who despite spending most all of her time in the Great Indoors, had quite the rugged streak in her, speaking strictly from an interior design perspective. Across the room he stared up at the oil portrait of his great-grandfather, who returned his gaze right back down at him. (In most portraiture, the subjects’ eyes look straight ahead. [See: Lisa, Mona.] Wilhelm I instructed all the artists who painted him — of which there were a great many, for reasons as yet to be explained — to depict his eyes at a descending angle, so that he could look down upon all those who looked up to him.) Billy had hardly known him before he died, having only met the man a dozen or so times, all at this very table. He smelled like butterscotch, was all Billy could remember. That, and how fucking terrifying a person could be, just sitting there. Even his likeness could send a shiver down your spine. 

Mother, before you proceed, you should know that I’ve been in my own preliminary discussions with Jaime about partnership opportunities. There are quite a few potential synergies between our brands. Would you at least consider #x_brüing as a candidate for acquisition? 

HI-may. Forgive me. I almost forgot. Yes, well, I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Not to say that your partially Portuguese friend isn’t doing well with his little brewpub, which I’m sure he is. Although that name is somewhat worrisome, isn’t it though? What was it … Ex-Brewery? Why so confrontational? 

Beside, we’re courting brands that are more mature. You understand of course. We can’t risk The Wolffenbeir Name on acquiring some tin pan—underground—fly-by-night outfit. Beer garage band. In point of fact, we’ve—well, I’ve already zeroed on a target, as it were. I would have assumed you to have surmised as much by now. Anyhow I don’t anticipate the negotiations to be all that arduous.

Hildy talked normal mostly, but here and there she pronounced a word in a very highfalutin way. Such as ma-TOUR, or ni-go-SEE-a-shins, for example. 

Billy picked up his chopsticks for the first time that evening. He may have never handled a pair before in his life. Clumsily he prodded at the biggest sliver of fish meat, until he could get a good enough grip on it. Raising it to his eye level for cursory inspection, he tilted his head back slightly as if to meet the gaze of the great Wilhelm I, and swallowed it hole with a grimace, as if he’d just taken a pull of shine liquor. 

So who are we buying? 

Oh, my sweet, sweet son. Darling Billy. My absolute best boy. By now isn’t it obvious? I’m buying the New Frontier.

[zooinformblog]

Arbiom построит завод по производству белковых ингредиентов для кормов для животных

Arbiom, французская сельскохозяйственно-биотехнологическая компания, разрабатывающая технологии производства белковых ингредиентов нового поколения, объявила о запуске проекта SYLPLANT, в рамках которого будет построена фабрика по производству экологически чистых ингредиентов для аквакормов и кормов для животных за €14 млн. Проект SYLPLANT объединяет 17 партнёров, охватывающих всю цепочку создания продуктов питания и кормов. Он софинансируется Совместным предприятием Circular Bio-based Europe (CBE JU), государственно-частным партнёрством между Европейской комиссией и Консорциумом биоиндустрии. Как поясняет генеральный директор Arbiom Марк Шеврель, реализация проекта позволит ежегодно выпускать на рынок 10 тысяч тонн альтернативного, высокопитательного и экологически чистого белка SylPro, применяемого для производства кормов. Это «одноклеточный» белок, так называемый Single-cell proteins — SCP, то есть съедобные микроорганизмы. Они используются в качестве альтернативного источника белков в кормах для домашних животных и аквакормах. SCP имеют высокую питательную ценность и отличаются минимальным воздействием на окружающую среду. Источник: Arbiom Фото: Pets International Читать по теме: Производитель кормов для животных из Малайзии рассчитывает получить на IPO $100 млн Бульон из «выращенного» куриного мяса разработала компания Wild Earth Allied Market Research: рынок веганских кормов для животных будет активно расти Read the full article

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CBE’s Post-Harvest Manufacturing List: Remediation

Producing clean cannabis products is crucial for any operation looking for long-term success. The ability to pass state-mandated product safety tests determines whether your products get to market or if your facility gets dinged with a failed test violation and a potential process audit from regulators. Seeking to lower the risk of a failed lab test derailing production plans, some cultivators…