CultureJuly 14, 2026
gastrodiplomacy
/ˌɡæstroʊdɪˈploʊməsi/
Definition
The practice of using a nation's culinary heritage, food products, and cooking traditions as a tool to improve international relations and promote cultural identity.
Etymology
This is a portmanteau formed by combining 'gastronomy' (from Greek 'gastros', meaning stomach, and 'nomos', meaning management) and 'diplomacy'. It emerged in the early 21st century to describe the strategic use of food as a component of soft power.
In the news
The article describes a tasting event for Turkish olive oil in London as gastrodiplomacy, showing how showcasing traditional Anatolian products can strengthen a country's reputation on the global stage.
From Anatolia to London: 2,600-year story behind Turkish olive oil | Daily Sabah
Read the full article ↗Daily Sabah