LOS ANGELES: The Golden Globes, known as the party of the year, is going with a meatless menu for its 77th annual awards show.

Guests will be served a 100 per cent plant-based meal just ahead of showtime on Sunday. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) said on Thursday that it wants the initiative to raise environmental awareness about food consumption and waste.

“If there’s a way we can, not change the world, but save the planet, maybe we can get the Golden Globes to send a signal and draw attention to the issue about climate change,” HFPA president Lorenzo Soria said.

“The food we eat, the way we grow the food we eat, the way we dispose of the food is one of the large contributors to the climate crisis.”

Soria said there was some initial push back about changing the menu just about two weeks before the show, but the hotel eventually agreed on the new menu.

Matthew Morgan, executive chef at The Beverly Hilton, called the menu change initially surprising. But he ultimately understood it would send a positive message, he said.

Items on the main entree include king oyster mushrooms scallops and wild mushroom risotto, along with roasted baby purple and green Brussels sprouts and carrots.

A chilled golden beet soup will be served as an appetiser.

HFPA partnered with Icelandic Glacial, naturally alkaline and sustainably-sourced natural spring water.

The water will be served in glass bottles to eliminate plastic waste in the ballroom and red carpet, which is reused at other events throughout the year.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2020