Table of Contents

• Food is a Cultural Story

• Global Cuisine and Family Bonds

• Culinary Experiences and Cultural Appreciation

• Tradition: Setting & Cooking

• Innovation & Fusion Cuisine

• Culinary Tourism & Cultural Diplomacy

• Conclusion

In many ways, food brings us together, providing us with more than just sustenance; it serves as a conduit through which we pass on information, history, culture, and other values from one generation to the next, all while reinforcing our social responsibilities towards each other and our communities. Global cuisine, with its myriad of flavors, aromas, and textures, represents intergenerational connections and cultural understanding, and as we continue to see growing diversity, the popularity of sharing or cooking an international dish has become an important avenue to create a meaningful dialogue amongst young and old alike. With the increase in understanding the importance of connection through food, Claudette Spinelli Schwartz discusses how to cultivate intergenerational respect and nurturing within families by coming together and sharing meals.

Cooking with one's family in large bustling urban kitchens, as well as in quiet, rustic country kitchens creates a unique "nest" of both memories and family support, as well as reinforcing the importance of cultural identity for families. This form of social support allows families to pass on cultural traditions to the next generation by continuing to follow the same recipes and preparation techniques used by previous generations, enabling empathy and reducing the barriers that separate us from past and future generations. It also helps families develop social awareness and the ability to navigate contemporary family life in a manner that is both balanced and sustainable through the understanding of the issues of accessibility and cultural dislocation as families try to maintain the culinary customs of their ancestors while adapting to contemporary influences. Publications such as the Food section of the New York Times provide useful context on the relationship between migration and innovation in culinary history and the story of the community in which we are living.

Food is a Cultural Story

Every cuisine has a story of place, climate and Customs. What the recipes represent in each cuisine provides Important markers in representing this story. Grandma's dumplings and Dad's barbecue sauce represent the combined experiences of the family. The significance of food in rituals and celebrations is common internationally. Food related customs continue to be an important part of our lives, developing a sense of identity and belonging while allowing for family traditions to continue into the future. The way that children learn about cultural food through their family's cooking allows children to continue the practice of their culture.

Global Cuisine and Family Bonds

When a family begins to cook dishes from all over the world, family members begin to feel more connected through shared experiences. Cooking Mexican tacos, making Italian risotto, or preparing Lebanese tabbouleh together helps break down barriers between generations, cultures and people. Cooking allows for ingredient selection, teaching taste, storytelling about the origins and history of each dish, and experiences that bond the family as they learn, share, and grow together as they eat. A broader published study has indicated that families that are exposed to other cultures (through food) embrace diversity, have flexible views about diversity and adapt their views and thoughts towards the acceptance of others.

Culinary Experiences and Cultural Appreciation

Experiencing the culture of a country through the foods available in that country allows individuals to establish relationships based upon cultural similarities; this is especially important for immigrant families. When immigrant families cook traditional dishes, they are able to reaffirm their identity while transitioning to a new culture; by sharing meals with new friends, they can create a place for themselves in their new environment, have less feelings of isolation and become more integrated into society. Leading authorities, such as the BBC, recognize that food is an important part of preserving the traditions of language, music and storytelling among those who have been displaced.

Tradition: Setting & Cooking

When you make traditional foods, it is an opportunity to connect with people from the past as well as people today. When grandparents teach their grandchildren how to make pasta or how to season a stew, they are passing down knowledge of cooking techniques and skills as well as sharing their values, such as patience, giving respect, and artistry. In many parts of the world, schools, community organizations, and non-profit organizations offer cooking classes or culinary storytelling to elders and young people together in a multi-generational format. These programs have been proven to build resilience in families, increase pride in their culture/heritage, and create lifetime memories that are important for families' co-existence, especially during times of change.

Innovation & Fusion Cuisine

As more and more people from different countries move across continents and as borders between countries and cultures become less defined, people are discovering new and more creative ways to honour their roots and to use and enjoy culinary traditions. For example, some street foods, e.g., currywurst, birria ramen, sushirritos, allow us to see how the evolution of cuisine has opened the door for people of all ages to be creative and appreciate food and tradition in exciting and innovative ways.

Culinary Tourism & Cultural Diplomacy

Food is becoming an important tool for countries and cities to build international Relationships. City tourism boards are now using their food culture as part of their marketing campaigns to bring people to their cities for tourism/ travel and investment; to provide a venue through which to bring together different cultures, as well as to develop international relationships and partnerships. Culinary tourism can be defined as traveling to different regions or countries to experience different foods; this can be done in a variety of formats, including culinary festivals or culinary travel tours. To honour a City’s Gastronomy and Culinary Artistry, UNESCO created the designation of “Cities of Gastronomy.” An example of a City with a UNESCO designation is Parma, Italy. The concept of Cities of Gastronomy and Culinary Diplomacy exposes local artisans and preserves local memory.

Conclusion

The history of food shows us how it is a mode of unifying and strengthening communities throughout time. Exploring the cuisines of around the world creates more than just memories through food; it creates lifelong family sister-ship and sibling kinship, nurtures and passes on traditions, and fosters the appreciation of great cultural diversity. Culinary Discovery creates bonds between families, from the most common experience of sharing a meal with family members to the cultural exchanges of people with other cultural/ethnic groups at International Food Festivals today and in the future.