Here’s a recording of a Google Hangout in which Mary Jo Pham (author of a fascinating piece on South Korean gastrodiplomacy), Paul Rockower (author of many great pieces, including this and this), and I discuss “edible nation branding” with Mazin Melegy and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. In the hour-long panel we covered many topics, including how food can be used as a tool of mass communication, what the limits are to culinary diplomacy / gastrodiplomacy programs, and what if any role the Food and Agriculture Organization and other international NGOs can play in culinary diplomacy.
Thanks to Mazin and Woodrow Wilson for hosting, and to Mary Jo and Paul for their great insights.