From the Plate to Gastro-Politics

This insightful work explores the transformation of Peruvian cuisine into a symbol of national identity and political discourse. From the Plate to Gastro-Politics delves into its cultural significance.

This book provides an interdisciplinary examination of Peruvian cuisine’s shift from a culinary to a political object and the making of Peru as a food nation on the global stage. It focuses on the contexts, processes, and protagonists that have endowed the country’s cuisine with new meaning, coherence, and prominence, allowing it to communicate what was important for Peruvians after decades of political violence and economic decline. The work unfolds central processes of the culinary project, ranging from the emergence of gastronomy to the refiguring of indigenous people as producers, and the use of cultural identity as an authenticating force. From the Plate to Gastro-Politics offers a critical reading of what has been called a 'gastronomic revolution,' highlighting how claims to national unity and social reconciliation can smooth over ongoing inequalities.

The book will be of interest to scholars and students of food studies, cultural anthropology, heritage studies, and Latin American studies. By exploring the intersection of food and politics, it sheds light on the broader implications of culinary practices in shaping national identity and cultural heritage. Through various case studies, the author illustrates how food can serve as a medium for both personal and collective narratives, reflecting the complexities of Peruvian society.

Ultimately, From the Plate to Gastro-Politics invites readers to reconsider the role of cuisine beyond mere sustenance, emphasizing its significance as a tool for social change and cultural expression. It challenges conventional notions of gastronomy by situating it within the larger context of political discourse and identity formation.