GENEVA – The newly formed Global Culinary Council (GCC) announced today a sweeping mandate requiring all future food products and traditional dishes to possess an appearance that actively repels the uninitiated. The move, hailed by some as a bold step against 'culinary gentrification,' aims to re-educate palates and foster a deeper appreciation for flavor beyond superficial visual appeal.

“For too long, we have allowed the tyranny of Instagrammable meals to dictate our gastronomic experiences,” stated Dr. Alistair Finch, head of the GCC’s Aesthetics of Repulsion subcommittee. “The era of vibrant colors and symmetrical plating is over. True culinary excellence, we’ve found, often manifests in forms resembling swamp sludge, congealed organs, or something a cat just coughed up.”

The directive includes new global guidelines for 'optimal visual dissonance,' encouraging textures described as 'mucilaginous,' 'viscous,' or 'vaguely fungal.' Restaurants failing to meet the new standards, which include a minimum 'gag reflex score' for presentation, will face hefty fines and public shaming campaigns.

“This isn’t about making food taste bad; it’s about making you *think* it will taste bad, then surprising you,” explained Chef Anya Sharma, a GCC executive. “It’s a journey. A journey that begins with profound skepticism and ends with you grudgingly admitting it’s delicious, while still questioning your life choices.”

Critics argue the policy is an elaborate prank, but the GCC remains steadfast, insisting humanity is ready to embrace the truly ugly delicious.