11th ICSIMAT BRASOV ROMANIA
24th – 30th October 2024
Η Λέσχη Αρχιμαγείρων Αττικής Ακρόπολις ταξίδεψε στο στην Ρουμανία στο 11ο Διεθνές Συνέδριο για το Στρατηγικό Καινοτόμο Μάρκετινγκ και τον Τουρισμό στην πόλη Μπρασόβ.
Παρουσίαση των εκδηλώσεων και των δράσεων της Λέσχης Αρχιμαγείρων Αττικής Ακρόπολις πραγματοποιήθηκε από το Επίτιμο Μέλος της Λέσχης Αρχιμαγείρων Αττικής Ακρόπολις την κα Μαρία Ζησούλη, στο Διεθνές Συνέδριο για το Στρατηγικό Καινοτόμο Μάρκετινγκ και τον Τουρισμό στην πόλη Μπρασόβ της Ρουμανίας 24-30 Οκτωμβρίου20 24. Το θέμα της παρουσίασης «Γαστρονομική Διπλωματία: Ενισχύοντας τους Ελληνικούς Τουριστικούς Προορισμούς και την Αγροτική Οικονομία
The Speech ________________________________________
Gastronomic Diplomacy: Strengthening Greek Tourist Destinations and Agricultural Economy
The practice of gastronomic diplomacy, while modern, is deeply rooted in history. For centuries, food has been a part of diplomacy. Aristotle, the Greek Philosopher, in his Politics, mentioned that social dinner took place among ambassadors of Greek cities in the 4th century, highlighting to foster friendship before discussions. The Silk Road traveled gastronomy knowledge and cooking techniques also at the routes.
Later diplomats like British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Richard Nixon viewed ‘table diplomacy’ as a key tool for showcasing power and influence.
The term ‘gastronomic diplomacy’ was given much later, in 2002, by The Economist magazine for Thailand’s ‘Global Thai’ program, which is considered the first official example of gastronomic diplomacy.”
The chefs of the Chef’s Club of Attica ‘Acropolis’ have become ambassadors of local and traditional cuisine, contributing to enhance Greece’s image as a gastronomic and cultural destination on the global stage. The chefs focus on promoting the cultural and nutritional diversity of local products and highlights local crops as a vital source of new, innovative products for a unique gastronomy experience.
For chefs of the Chef’s Club of Attica ‘Acropolis’, Gastronomic Diplomacy is an important part of its Public Diplomacy, as it is connected to the country’s cultural heritage, values, and unique identity. The Chef’s Club of Attica, in collaboration with the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, the Greek National Tourism Organization, Regions and Local Associations, has made significant strides in promoting Greek gastronomic diplomacy.
The strategy followed includes, organizing gastronomic and cultural events that showcase Greek destinations, with the chefs to highlighting traditional dishes and local products. At the same time, includes participation in international conferences and food festivals, supporting businesses, and other activities. Through gastronomic diplomacy, Greece strengthens the tourist destinations, the agricultural sectors and the local products, and promotes and trade relations and economic collaborations.
Although Greece has a long tradition in tourism, it is only in recent years that Greek Foreign Policy has placed Greek cuisine, local products and gastronomic diplomacy at the forefront of its modern foreign policy. This practice significantly contributes to marketing and branding Greece’s international image.
Some Projects of the Chef’s Club of Attica ‘Acropolis’ took place in China and many Greek gastronomy and cultural events were held. For example, cultural and gastronomy presentations took place in cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shenzhen, Kunming, Nanjing, where we showcased traditional cuisine in collaboration with the Greek Embassy, the National Tourism Organization and the Greek Local Governments.
These events contributed to strengthening our relationship with China and promoting tourist destinations and products.
Another Promotion project was in ABU DHABI on December 2022. It was a Presentation of Attica, Attica Cuisine and Attica products at the ADIFE International Exhibition in ABU DHABI. Also, at Dubai Radisson Blue Deira Hotel, our chef presented traditional Greek dishes and share Greek cooking techniques with the chefs of Blu Deira Hotel and many guests.
Also, an important action is the collaboration and participation the Chef’s Club of Attica ‘Acropolis’ with European Eno-gastronomic Brotherhoods Council (CEUCO). As member of European Eno-gastromy we have participated in international conferences and awarded Greek businesses in countries such as Italy, France, and Spain, bringing Greek businesses and products to the forefront of Europe.
Looking to the future, we are preparing to host the next European Eno-Gastronomy conference in Greece, this year in Piraeus, where we will continue to celebrate and award the best of Greek gastronomy. Additionally, continuing our promotion in China, so in November we will present Greek gastronomy in three cities: the Danyang city in the Zhenjiang region, the Wuhan city in Hubei province, and the Liaocheng city in Shandong province.
At these cultural gastronomy events, our chefs will present traditional Greek dishes and share Greek cooking techniques with Chinese chefs of local restaurants and citizens.
In conclusion, for the Chef’s Club of Attica ‘Acropolis’, the Greek gastronomic diplomacy is more than just about food—it is about building bridges, fostering collaborations, and creating sustainable opportunities for both tourism and the agricultural sectors.
We will continue to promote cultural diplomacy through food and we invite all of you to explore Greece through its diverse and delicious cuisine.
THANK YOU