Rolling Stone: People Reinventing America

Who are the people who are reinventing America, bringing change? Rolling Stone magazine (4/2/09 issue) answered that question, presenting 100 people who they felt were doing so. It is an interesting list that is sure to provide plenty of fuel for discussion and debate.

The article states: "This list is not necessarily about power in the old-fashioned sense but about the power of ideas, the power of innovation, the power of making people think and making them move." (p.49)

Some of the names are quite predictable, such as Barack Obama and Steve Jobs. Other names might be unfamiliar to the common person, like Shigeru Miyamoto, chief designer for Nintendo. What interested me though were the food-related individuals on the list, and only three such people made the list, including an author, chef and scientist.

First, at #69, is Michael Pollan, who is referred to as "The one-man think tank of the local-grown-foods movement." He is the author of such books you may have read as In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. His ideas have certainly percolated throughout the food community.

Second, at #78 is Chef David Chang, who is referred to as "The radical chef influencing everything from fast food to fine dining." and the "Keith Richards of food." He is the chef and owner of three New York City restaurants: Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ko and Momofuku Ssäm Bar. Though I have not yet eaten at his restaurants, they are on my short list for my next visit to New York City. And I have only heard raves from those who have gone to his places. It is quite an honor to be the only chef on this list.

Lastly, at #93 is Wes Jackson, who is referred to as "Plant geneticist fights to avert a global food crisis." He is a leader in the sustainable agriculture movement and is working to modify certain plants like wheat and sorghum into perennials. I have not heard of Wes before though I am going to learn more about him. His work does sound fascinating.

So what do you think? Should these people be on the list? Are there other individuals in the food industry who belong on this list?