Food trends of the week: heganism, celebrity chefs out, alcohol down

This week male vegans have seen the new term "hegans" coined in their honor, three top celebrity chefs plan their exit strategy from Las Vegas and two countries are experiencing alcohol downsizing.

Manly vegans
Heganism is veganism for middle-aged men according to a media-wise journalist for the Boston Globe. Not really sure why they need a special term that bloggers have deemed more ‘manly,' however the positive diet trend has shaped a group of men that previously subsisted on grease-dripping snack foods waiting for a heart attack to happen into pillars of health. "Real men eat plants", says hegan picture boy, Rip Esselstyn, author of The Engine 2 Diet.   http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/articles/2010/03/24/men_leave_their_own_mark_on_veganism/

Leavin' Las Vegas
Next time you are in Las Vegas, it may not be so easy to eat at your favorite celebrity chef's restaurant; three are leaving Las Vegas while others are raising prices. It may be the end of a foodie trend. Daniel Boulud is to close Daniel Boulud Brasserie at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Country Club in April; David Burke severed his relationship with David Burke at The Venetian; and Charlie Trotter closed Restaurant Charlie and Bar Charlie in the Palazzo. Whereas both Joel Robuchon's restaurant at the MGM Grand and Rick Moonen's rm seafood at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino prices are likely to rise.
http://www.nrn.com/breakingNews.aspx?id=381062&menu_id=1368#

Alcohol downers: Ireland and India
News from both Ireland and India suggests the global alcohol beverage industry is struggling. In Ireland reports showed that Irish spirits are not in demand with a drop of 18.5 percent and Indage Vinters', renowned Indian wine producer, market share halved in 2009 and even with high hopes that India's wine sales will be strong in 2010, wine lovers will most likely be looking to other Indian winemakers. http://www.decanter.com/news/296315.html http://www.decanter.com/news/296238.html