Gastronomy Report: The Role of Gastronomy in Festivals and Events

This report explores the multifaceted relationship between gastronomy, globalisation, and cultural exchange. Section A delves into the concepts of homogenisation and heterogenization, illustrating how globalisation influences cultural landscapes, particularly in the realm of food and beverage consumption. It highlights the dominance of Western culture and its impact on traditions like those in India. Section B emphasizes the crucial role of gastronomy in festivals and events, underscoring how food traditions are integral to cultural identity and celebration. The report uses examples from Western and Indian cultures to illustrate how food is central to cultural practices and how globalisation influences them. The references section provides a list of sources consulted to support the analysis.

Gastronomy

Table of Contents
Section A..........................................................................................................................................3
A1 Globalisation and the key underpinning aspects of homogenisation and heterogenization. .3
Section B..........................................................................................................................................3
B6 Importance of gastronomy to festivals and events.................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

Section A
A1 Globalisation and the key underpinning aspects of homogenisation and heterogenization
Globalisation is the process which brings interaction and integration among people,
companies and governments of worldwide. It is primarily associated with social and cultural
aspects of a country. Cultural globalisation involves transmission of ideas, meanings and values
around the world in such manner that helps to intensify social relation. Homogenisation in
relation to cultural aspects refers to reduction in cultural diversity through popularization. It is
defined as a process through which local culture are transformed or absorbed by a dominant
outside culture (Homogenisation and heterogenization, 2018). This term is generally used in
context of western culture dominating other cultures. It leads to mixture of two cultures by
adopting some elements of different culture. On the other hand heterogenization refers to
differences in culture identity related to class, language, traditions, religion,ethnicity and other
cultural aspects. Every country diversified as citizens of the country are different in relation to
their culture, language and class. Homogenisation and heterogenization both the aspects have
impact on culture of a country that may be related to food and consumption of drink. For
example- Western culture is one of the widely spread culture among all and is dominating Indian
culture. As consumption of fast food has grown at high scale in India as a result of which many
new business relating to food is expanding their branches in India. In Indian culture where non-
veg or consumption of alcohol is considered as sin but adoption of western culture has evolved
Indian culture. This can be measured by growth rate in consumption of alcohol products and
businesses serving non-veg products are doing well by earning huge profits. Indian culture and
western culture is totally different for example- celebrations of festivals in Indian culture belongs
to god. Pooja ceremony and prayers are made to god. On the other hand festivals that are
celebrated in Western culture are for fun and enjoyment. Together with this girl education,
working women's are still lacking in Indian culture and adaptation of Western culture in India is
influencing Indian culture towards sexual equality.
Section B
B6 Importance of gastronomy to festivals and events
Gastronomy is the study of the relationship between food and culture. It is very important
for survival of a culture to make understand its importance to their legal heirs. Every culture has

different festivals and food according to the event is prepared to celebrate these events. Every
culture is known for its food, diversity in culture all across provides variety in festivals and
foods. In every culture festivals is all about get together, enjoyment with friends and family with
some delicious food (Roosth, 2013). Food is something that brings attachment in relation to
culture, home and festivals. For example- IN western culture celebration of Christmas and new
years is one the biggest festival that involves food like cakes, cookies, apple pie and candy cans
served with champagne to celebrate Christmas eve. When it is considered in Indian culture then
it can be seen that Indian culture is very much religious and each festival involves some pooja.
Consumption of alcohol is not allowed for celebrating festival in Indian culture. It is very
important to understand relation between food and festivals (Sánchez-Cañizares and López-
Guzmán, 2012). Understanding the importance helps in making a culture important to
individuals those who are related to a particular culture. Providing importance to culture, food
and festivals reduces dominance of other culture.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Roosth, S., 2013. Of foams and formalisms: Scientific expertise and craft practice in molecular
gastronomy. American Anthropologist. 115(1). pp.4-16.
Sánchez-Cañizares, S. M. and López-Guzmán, T., 2012. Gastronomy as a tourism resource:
profile of the culinary tourist. Current Issues in Tourism. 15(3). pp.229-245.
Online
Homogenisation and heterogenization. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://kingzhouyang.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/global-cultural-homogenization-vs-
cultural-heterogenization-2/>