gastrodiplomacy

[ gas-troh-di-ploh-muh-see ]

noun

1. the strategic promotion of a nation's cuisine to build diplomatic connections and favorable public relations for that nation, such as by funding grants to open restaurants, create food-oriented workshops, publish cookbooks, etc.

Other Words From

• gas·tro·dip·lo·mat·ic [gas-troh-dip-l, uh, -, mat, -ik] adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gastrodiplomacy¹

First recorded in 2010–15; gastro- ( def ) + diplomacy ( def )

Example Sentences

In recent years, South Korea has embarked on gastrodiplomacy, or state-sponsored attempts to make Korean food one of the world’s favorite cuisines.

From New York Times

But a 2016 research paper on gastrodiplomacy did find that eating a meal together improved social interactions between those who dine together, not to mention fewer hierarchical displays of dominance and submissiveness.

From New York Times

A hashtag “gastrodiplomacy” was soon trending along with “rendanggate”.

From Reuters

“Kimchi is something that makes people turn up their noses, but it is becoming more and more popular in the U.S. right now” — and not just at farmers markets but at regular grocery stores, too, said Johanna Mendelson Forman, a professor at American University who specializes in gastrodiplomacy. 

From Washington Post

South Korea launched a $77 million gastrodiplomacy initiative in 2009, promoted by the wife of the president of the time.

From Washington Post