The cabin crew are working. It is common for FAs to eat business class food. As a SYD based pax you would know that QF and VA crews eat business class food on domestic sectors.
The age of cabin crew is also irrelevant. The ME3 attract younger recruits, and in the USA old FAs are in a decent paying job and cannot be retired.
Is your issue with the food, the service or the mugs? I can't actual tell...