Culinary diplomacy

The two terms "culinary diplomacy" and "gastrodiplomacy" are used interchangeably by many, though some scholars have differentiated the terms. Rockower, for example, claims that gastrodiplomacy refers to a tool of public diplomacy, while culinary diplomacy serves as "a means to further diplomatic protocol through cuisine".[5] Chapple-Sokol writes that both of these fall under the broad categorization of "culinary diplomacy", and differentiates between public and private culinary diplomacy.[2] The former refers to culinary diplomacy being used as a tool of public diplomacy, and more specifically cultural diplomacy, while the latter "occurs behind closed doors", akin to Rockower's definition.

In 2010 Taiwan launched a 20 million pound culinary diplomacy campaign which emphasized cultural elements such as Taiwan's night markets and dishes and drinks like bubble tea and oyster omelette.[6] Taiwan has sought to use culinary diplomacy along with traditional marketing to boost its tourism sector. It also allows Taiwan to conduct diplomacy in countries it has traditionally had a challenge conducting diplomacy in due to its limited international recognition.[2]

The "Global Thai" program, launched in 2002, was a government-led culinary diplomacy initiative. It aimed to boost the number of Thai restaurants worldwide to 8,000 by 2003 from about 5,500 previously.[4] By 2011, that number had increased to more than 10,000 Thai restaurants worldwide.[7]

The program was explained in Thailand: Kitchen of the World, an eBook published to promote the program. The point of the e-book: "In the view of the Export Promotion Department, Thai restaurants have a good business potential that can be developed to maintain a high level of international recognition. To achieve that goal, the department is carrying out a public relations campaign to build up a good image of the country through Thai restaurants worldwide."[3]^{:Chapter 7}

The Department of Export Promotion of the Thai Ministry of Commerce offers potential restaurateurs plans for three different "master restaurant" types—from fast food to elegant—which investors can choose as a prefabricated restaurant plan.[8][9] Concomitantly, the Export-Import Bank of Thailand offered loans to Thai nationals aiming to open restaurants abroad, and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand set up an infrastructure for loans of up to US$3 million for overseas food industry initiatives, including Thai restaurants.[9]

First Lady of the Republic of Korea Kim Yoon-ok giving a speech at the "Korean Cuisine to the World" symposium in 2009

South Korea launched its own culinary diplomacy program in 2009, a $77m investment entitled "Korean Cuisine to the World or "Global Hansik".[10] The goals of the program, run by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, are to promote the unique nature and health qualities of Korean cuisine (hansik), as well as to increase the number of Korean restaurants worldwide to 40,000 by 2017.[11] Projects undertaken by the Korean government include the opening of a kimchi institute, working to establish Korean cuisine as a course in internationally recognized cooking schools, and the launch of a touring Korean food truck.[10]

Since 2010 Malaysia has undertaken a similar project by running the "Malaysia Kitchen" Programme.[12] The programme, carried out by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, has focused most of its efforts to promote Malaysian cuisine in Australia, United States and United Kingdom.[5] Malaysia is an especially appropriate country to conduct culinary diplomacy due to its history as a culinary crossroads and its current mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian populations. The approach, which has employed celebrity chefs such as Rick Stein and Norman Musa in the UK, has had significant impact in increasing awareness of Malaysian cuisine and Malaysian restaurants[13] through product promotions and cooking demonstrations at supermarkets, food festivals and an annual night market at Trafalgar Square, London.[14]

An official Peruvian culinary diplomacy program started in 2011, with Peru's application for its cuisine to be included in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage, the first year food heritage was recognized.[15] Peruvian cuisine was denied the status of food heritage in its initial application.[16] The Cocina Peruana Para El Mundo campaign has also been promoted by Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio, the owner of multiple restaurants worldwide as well as a co-creator of the documentary Perú Sabe, along with Spanish chef Ferran Adrià.[17]

In September 2012, the United States officially launched its Culinary Diplomacy Partnership Initiative.[18] More than 80 chefs, including White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford, former White House Executive Pastry Chef William Yosses, and Spanish-born chef José Andrés, were named to be members of the "American Chef Corps". The initiative is organized by the United States State Department Office of Protocol. One goal of the program is to send members of the Chef Corps to American embassies abroad on public diplomacy missions to teach about American cuisine.

• José Andrés, executive chef and owner of minibar, Jaleo, Oyamel, Zaytinia, China Poblano, é, Micasa, and America Eats Tavern
• Dan Barber, executive chef and co-owner of Blue Hill Restaurant and Blue Hill at Stone Barns
• Rick Bayless, owner of Frontera Grill and star of PBS series Mexico: One Plate at a Time
• April Bloomfield, Chef at The Spotted Pig and The Breslin, and owner of two Michelin stars
• Cristeta Comerford, White House Executive Chef
• Duff Goldman, Executive chef of Baltimore-based Charm City Cakes
• Roland Mesnier, former White House Executive Pastry Chef
• Marcus Samuelsson, Chef and owner of Red Rooster in Harlem, New York City
• Walter Scheib, former White House Executive Chef
• Ming Tsai, Chef at Blue Ginger and television personality
• Bill Yosses, former White House Executive Pastry Chef