These two elements--culinary wizardry and “health first” foods--are still further apart than many believe. It can be argued that efforts to create the ultimate pleasurable food or ultimate health food should not be the same. Each goal is distinctly different. When achieved (or closely approached), such ultimate products become gold standards in their own industry that others can then improve on.
Of course, culinary creativity and healthfulness merge in many ways as well. The biggest trend among the culinary-inclined may well be to deliver more healthful products. And, as a long- time NPEW attendee, I can absolutely say that foods have gotten better. (Dehydrated seaweed is now sugared and enrobed in chocolate.)