• Food and Gastronomy -> International cuisine and ethnic cooking

• 0 Comment

Is cultural appropriation a concern in the promotion and celebration of international cuisine?

Cheyenne Yeldon

Cultural appropriation has become a widely discussed topic, particularly in the promotion and celebration of international cuisine. It is easy to understand why – food is an essential aspect of our cultural identities. Sharing and celebrating culinary customs and traditions is an excellent way to promote appreciation and understanding of different cultures. However, it is crucial to understand the fine line between cultural exchange and appropriation.

Cultural appropriation refers to the adoption and use of elements from one culture by members of another culture without proper acknowledgment or respect. It is a significant concern in the context of international cuisine, as it often involves taking credit for another culture's culinary heritage while ignoring the traditions from which it originated. This type of behavior can be damaging, as it erases the cultural context from which the food originated, and this can ultimately lead to cultural vilification and exploitation.

Unfortunately, cultural appropriation in international cuisine is a common occurrence. Many popular dishes are marketed and sold without proper cultural context or acknowledgement of the people who traditionally created them. This behavior can lead to the flattening of cultural differences and reinforces more harmful stereotypes.

One particular example of cultural appropriation in international cuisine is the phenomenon of "fusion cuisine." Fusion cuisine often takes traditional recipes and spices from different cultures and combines them into a singular dish. The problem here is that while combining different cultures’ culinary traditions, the dish is stripped of cultural context and is reinterpreted for the sake of novelty and profit. This appropriation of culture can result in a lack of respect for the cultural significance of the food.

The promotion and celebration of international cuisine should be a celebration of diversity, cultural inclusion, and acceptance. However, more often than not, it is used as a marketing tool by companies that seek to profit from the cultural trends of different cultures, dismissing their origins and the cultural context from which they arise. In our modern society, cultural appropriation should be avoided at all costs to help preserve cultural identity and meaning behind our shared food.

One possible solution for avoiding cultural appropriation in international cuisine is through collaboration and proper acknowledgement of cultural heritage. Cooperation between different cultures to create new dishes can result in a fusion cuisine that is respectful and honours the traditions of both cultures. Likewise, acknowledging the roots of a dish is essential in preserving the culture behind the food. In this way, food can become a meaningful and respectful vehicle for celebrating and promoting ethnic diversity.

In conclusion, the promotion and celebration of international cuisine should be a thoughtful, respectful exchange of cultural traditions, not an opportunity to exploit another culture's culinary heritage for profit. We should remember that while we may all share a love of food, with that comes the responsibility to preserve and honour the cultural heritage behind it. Ultimately, food should promote cultural inclusivity and serve as a reminder of the unique identities we all share.