In 2002, Thailand launched the first government-led culinary diplomacy initiative aiming at improving the number of Thai restaurants worldwide. This objective was reached as the number of thai restaurants rose from 5,500 to 10,000 in 2013. 

In 2009, South Korea invested more than $77 millions to launch its own culinary diplomacy program so as to promote the unique nature and health qualities of Korean cuisine 

Since 2010, Malaysia created its first gastrodiplomacy program and has focused its efforts on the promotion of Malaysian cuisine in Australia, United States and United Kingdom. 

Peru started its own culinary diplomacy program in 2011 as well as its application for its cuisine to be included in the UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage 

The culinary diplomacy partnership initiative has been launched by the United States in 2012. This project aims at sending American Chefs abroad on public diplomacy missions to teach about American cuisine. 

Culinary diplomacy has always been regarded as a particular form of culinary art, as mean to initiate a peaceful atmosphere. 

As a consequence, the slogan "Politic divises men, good food reunites them" has been shared for a long time between individuals, considering that the very principle of a business meal is to share everything and above all, to agree on everything. Hence the importance of gastronomy in diplomacy. 

The Head Chef of Head Chef Club has been established so as to make the kitchen vest a symbol of peace. Moreover, they emphasis that it constitutes one of the rare object to be completely identical in every country. 

Thus, the very essence of Soft power is to consider cookers as ambassadors of their gastronomy in public manifestations. To that extent, in Italy pastas will be served at every official diner. However, few exceptions can be noticed such as Japan where cooks mainly prepare french food for diplomatic events, except when they receive Chinese head of states. In this case, they will cook chinese food so as to demonstrate their superiority. 

The United States under the influence of several first ladies, among them Jackie Kennedy and Hillary Clinton, launch many operations in order to demonstrate their mastery of gastronomy. These initiatives have demonstrated that by doing so, the White House's radiance was reinforced. ​

Futhermore, another significant impact of the gastrodiplomacy has been that at some point, some states relied on their hard power to defend their gastronomy. In other words, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine for instance were fighting over the Humus' origins. To that extent, cooking could have been used to fuel political or religious conflicts. 

When gastronomy becomes a patern for armed conflict ... 

Gastrodiplomacy 

Powerful tool of soft power 

Initiatives launched by official governments to sponsor culinary diplomacy programs 

These Head Chef may be great cook as well as great diplomats

Vicky Buffery

Give me a great cook, i will do great treaties

Talleyrand to Napoleon

When gathering around a table, if ambiance is enjoyable, if delicacies are sympathics, that is where ideas are more to fall into line

Gilles Bragard

Back to Home