Diplomatic Feasts: Exploring the Nexus of Political Economy, Culinary Psychology and Gastrodiplomacy

Diplomatic Feasts: Exploring the Nexus of Political Economy, Culinary Psychology and Gastrodiplomacy

Introduction

Amidst the backdrop of 21st-century global challenges including escalating inflation, widespread geopolitical tensions, climate change, and the imminent threats of emerging technologies, the Group of Seven (G7) leaders will convene for their Leadership Summit in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13th to 15th, hosted by Prime minister of Italy, Giorgio Meloni. International leaders and delegations will indulge in a meticulously curated culinary experience by Massimo Bottura, a renowned chef for his seven Michelin stars. The menu showcases a stratified cross-section of Italy’s gastronomic richness with dishes like Campania tomatoes, Adriatic fish soup in lagoon style, and blue lobster risotto with sea bass and citrus-infused tomato ice cream. Beyond its sensory allure however, this feast underscores the nuanced intersection of politics, psychology, and diplomacy in the design and implementation of menus for diplomatic feasts that entails a complex story about the evolving role of food and gastronomy.

Food has transcended its utilitarian origins from being a basic necessity of sustenance to a complex phenomenon intertwined with profound symbolism, psychological resonance and deep cultural significance. Initially essential for survival and dictated by local availability and nutritional necessity, food has evolved alongside the advancement of human societies, giving rise to diverse cuisines and culinary traditions rooted in geographical, historical and social contexts. In contemporary times, food encapsulates something more than a mere need such as in the realm of symbolic consumption where it serves as a powerful vehicle in communicating one’s social status or socioeconomic bearings. In other settings such as romantic dates or communal gatherings, specific dishes and dining experiences are meticulously chosen to evoke thoughts and emotions that may influence one’s decision-making. Meanwhile, in the grand scheme of things, food acts as a conduit for cultural exchange, preserving traditions while facilitating the mutual understanding between diverse communities thus connecting the strings that hold mankind.

Narrowing down from this vivid tapestry of ideas, we can begin to appreciate the crucial role of food within the political arena of diplomatic feasts, especially during leadership summits like the G7. With a focused array of academic research at hand, this article explores the multi-dimensional ways in which diplomatic feasts can be utilized to amplify and leverage political and economic gains. It examines three disciplinary angles: the use of food in symbolizing political and economic issues, the enhancement of persuasion through culinary psychology and the magnification of nationalistic ideals and communication of soft power through gastrodiplomacy.

Diplomatic Feasts as Political Economic Tools

One argument that examines the multi-dimensional role of food in diplomatic feasts visualises it as a symbolic vehicle for carrying social, economic or political messages that could potentially instigate discussion and debates surrounding the underlying message thus catering to certain agenda items and core issues which maybe at the interest of host countries and their organisers. Moreover, this usage is witnessed beyond diplomatic feasts in the form of explicit programs designed and implemented by national governments to boost exports of local ingredients, cuisines and tourism. For example, Indonesia’s “Spice Up The World” program that was initiated and launched at Dubai’s 2020 EXPO, was one that aimed to boost exports of Indonesian spices and increase the number of Indonesian restaurants globally, thereby promoting its culinary culture while enhancing its long-run economic benefits​. With dishes that infused its main six spices: pepper, nutmeg, clove, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla, the campaign communicated strong economic messages of Indonesia’s comparative advantage in the production of spices making it successful in generating USD 2 million in spice exports as well as establishing 4000 Indonesian restaurants overseas in 2024.

Meanwhile in another study, propelling back to the use of economic symbolism in diplomatic feasts, it was further supported that the ingredients in menus often reflected the economic strengths of host countries. For example, a London G20 summit in 2009 focused on the use of farmed salmon as a key ingredient throughout all courses during the feast which was material at a time in which the production of Shetland farmed salmon, fish and derivatives contributed approximately £ 2 billion per year to the Scottish economy. It was understood that the use of salmon was part of broader implicit economic campaign to enhance the recognition of Scottish exports and the agricultural opportunities of salmon farming which may have paved its way into discussions. Similar ideas can also be gathered from the upcoming G7 summit in which Bottura’s gastronomic selection boasts the sheer diversity and depth of Italian cuisine with ingredients sourced from regions such as Sicily, Calabria and Sorrento.  This usage of ingredients as Meloni mentions serves as an extension to the ‘Made in Italy’ campaign that seeks to acknowledge local ingredients from less well-known regions that could potentially translate to another exporting opportunity.

Beyond capturing export opportunities however, recent insights from the 2019 G7 Summit in Biarritz exemplify the use of food in symbolising messages that have become increasingly relevant in the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century. This summit featured meals prepared by renowned chefs using locally sourced and sustainable ingredients like shellfish captured using modern techniques that protect marine ecosystems or organically produce local vegetables and herbs. These choices underscored France’s commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable agriculture and drew international attention to the importance of sustainable food systems and environmental stewardship. Moreover the strategic use of sustainable ingredients and ethical sourcing was key during an year in which food security was a major G7 agenda item and was further instilled through the United Nation’s emphasis of SDG2 – Creating a world free of hunger by 2030. France’s clever utilisation of ingredients helped direct SDG2-themed discussions towards areas like agricultural sustainability and was key in positioning the nation as a sustainable world leader.

Diplomatic Feasts as Psychological Tools

From economic and political signalling, the discussion continues to decipher the psychological implications of the use of food in manipulating and influencing leaders to strike certain decisions. Although this angle carries less academic research due to the limited publicisation of the ingredients used in the menus, general insights from the discipline of culinary psychology can guide our way into understanding how menus influence the affective, cognitive and behavioural elements of those attending the feats and how they convert to benefits to host countries. One study that assessed the role of decision-making in the context of gastrodiplomacy argues that food has profound impacts on the decisions we make. This has been seen through various neurobiological pathways including the release of serotonin through the sugar content of food coupled by the release of endorphins from the act of eating together which in amalgamation magnify the potential for a good mood. Moreover, it is even suggested that the very act of mastication is positively correlated with the release of serotonin thus further supporting the importance of food in political discussions. The article concluded by recommending the more careful consideration to the food that one serves when involved in any strategic situations especially those involving negotiation and decision-making.

While this article among several others captures the inter-linkage between psychology and gastronomy in the realm of politics, it fails to capture the specificities in how the use of food acts as a psychological tool. Although it is unlikely that organisers of diplomatic feasts would deconstruct their menus on an ingredient-by-ingredient basis it is safe to say that the choice, organisation and array of ingredients and dishes is intended to ensure a pleasant mood and atmosphere, one that enhances the possibility for rational decision making and smoothened negotiation procedure. Focusing on foods which stimulate the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin complemented by further psychological tools like communal eating, round tables and intimate seating assist in the production of endorphins which help keep leaders in a balanced and felicitous mood amidst the weight of the agenda items that are to be discussed. Through further developments in the field of culinary psychology, new techniques and ideas would emerge that could elevate the potential of food in persuading and inducing leaders and delegates to agree with one and another and give favourable solutions to complex issues. Consequently, as these techniques are ta the disposal of host countries, culinary psychological techniques can be effectively leveraged to direct leadership summits and political discussions in line with the host country’s foreign policy.

Diplomatic Feasts as Gastrodiplomatic Tools

Our final argument takes us to the very study of gastrodiplomacy itself which remains a heavily researched area in the academic sphere. Gastrodiplomacy has been commonly defined as the nexus of food and foreign policy in how countries communicate their culture through food. Through a broad lens this definition encapsulates many things including the use of restaurants as foreign cultural outposts to the use diplomatic feasts as cultural showcases. To put simply, gastrodiplomacy revolves around the idea that the flag can follow the fork as coined by Paul Rockower o f Levantine Communications, a leading expert in the burgeoning public diplomacy field of gastrodiplomacy.

Despite the terms being relatively synonymous, one study that replaces the term gastrodiplomacy with culinary diplomacy, has identified how the concept has deep roots in history despite being coined only recently. It regularly references cases from Ancient Greece where negotiations and peace treaties were undertaken over lunch and wine to facilitate the fine art of conversation. Furthermore, it identifies 19th century France as pivotal to institutionalisation of formal diplomatic channels including forming the foundation for the use of food in political discussion which was based primarily on the works of Antonin Carême. Beyond these historic insights however the article argues that food is potent diplomatic tool or non-verbal communication that when exploited effectively creates a powerful locus that is centred on the space in which food is shared. While modern gastrodiplomacy centres on the use of diplomatic feasts as opportunities for cultural domination and nation branding, its core message is relatively simple – connecting politicians, delegates and world leaders through the patronage and celebration of food and drink is an effective tool to smoothen and enhance communications and relationships among nations at micro level. Therefore, host countries that invest heavily culinary resources during leadership summits extending beyond both food and ambiance have a greater opportunity to leverage the benefits of better diplomatic engagement. 

Evidently gastrodiplomacy is centred around the idea that food is powerful tool that fosters cross-cultural understanding and is aimed at improving communication and cooperation among citizens. Although it is highly unlikely that a few foods and drinks among an elite class of politicians would pulsate world peace among participating countries it is possible if complemented through the use of a secondary vacuum. This was evident in Thailand’s use of the ‘Global Thai’ that sponsored and recognised the efforts of Thai expats in expanding their cultural influence over foreign nations such as through restaurants and fairs. While this relates to our initial argument on the use of government-sponsored food campaigns in positioning one’s culture and magnifying economic gains through boosting exports, it is vital to see what campaigns like these complemented by diplomatic feasts mean for the citizenry. Through a social angle, just as delegates unite through food during diplomatic feasts, these initiatives help bridge the gap between citizens of various nations and enhance the cooperation and cross-cultural understanding that is crucial in our realisation of greater diplomacy and world peace.

Gastrodiplomacy, despite being the oldest form of diplomacy as stated by Hillary Clinton, is still relatively new to the interests of academia. While there is a growing consensus behind prospective power of food in forging international relations there is lack of understanding in the ability to harness that power. Nevertheless, it is credible to say that the future of gastrodiplomacy is strong and that it will continue to evolve as a tool that would extend beyond leadership summits and diplomatic feasts and become a regular part of ordinary citizenry culture. Through studying the initiatives that have been undertaken by countries like Thailand and Indonesia in positioning and marketing their cuisines to the world and consequently realising the net economic returns, governments would continue to be motivated in harnessing the power of food and gastrodiplomacy. In the case of diplomatic feasts which remains the subject of this article, gastrodiplomacy would become ever important in the future as trade and globalisation blur the distinctions between cultures burgeoning a greater need to distinguish, reposition and remarket one’s culture through gastronomy during leadership summits and international conferences.

Conclusion

In summation, the intricate relationship between food and diplomacy, particularly within the setting of high-stakes political summits such as the G7, highlights the multifaceted role that culinary experiences play in shaping international relations. The meticulous curation of diplomatic feasts transcends mere sustenance, symbolizing political and economic narratives, enhancing psychological receptivity, and serving as a vessel for gastrodiplomatic endeavours. As examined, the deliberate use of local ingredients not only showcases national pride but also sends potent economic messages, while the strategic selection of mood-enhancing foods can subtly influence decision-making processes. Moreover, gastrodiplomacy underscores the enduring power of food as a tool for cultural diplomacy, fostering cross-cultural understanding and paving the way for smoother diplomatic engagements. As the global landscape continues to evolve, the role of food in diplomacy will undoubtedly grow, underscoring the importance for nations to harness the culinary arts as a sophisticated instrument of soft power.

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