Gastronomide Kimlik ve Miras: Gastromilliyetçilik ve Diplomasi Bağlamında Kuramsal Bir Yaklaşım (Identity and Heritage in Gastronomy: A Theoretical Approach within the Context of Gastronationalism and Diplomacy)

Gül Damla KILIÇ

doi:10.63556/jotags.2026.1871

Authors

Gül Damla KILIÇ

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63556/jotags.2026.1871

Keywords:

Gastronomy, Gastronomic identity, Gastronationalism, Gastrodiplomacy, Cultural heritage

Abstract

This study intends to examine the theoretical connections among the culinary identity, gastronomic legacy, gastronationalism, and gastrodiplomacy. Though the literature encompasses an increasing array of research examining the relationships among food, identity, and diplomacy, the differences between these notions in many contexts and their intersections at multiple levels are not consistently well-defined. The interchangeable use of culinary identity and gastronomic legacy in certain research, along with the inadequate conceptual framing of gastronationalism within these contexts, maintains persistent conceptual uncertainties. The research is grounded in a theoretical assessment of current studies in gastronomy, cultural studies, and international relations. This framework considers local culinary elements as the foundation of gastronomic identity, while exploring how this identity is influenced nationally by gastronationalism and internationally by means of gastrodiplomacy, culinary diplomacy, and food diplomacy. The suggested theoretical paradigm does not delineate gastronomic identity by a singular function or result. It essentially conceptualizes gastronomic identity through the relationships formed among local, national, and international contexts. The results show that gastronomic identity is influenced by local culinary knowledge and practices, that gastronationalism significantly impacts the national construction of this identity, and that gastronomy is engaged internationally through multiple diplomacy pathways. This study enhances the literature by providing a cohesive theoretical framework that facilitates a thorough examination of the relationship among gastronomy, identity, and diplomacy.

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