I know that we already wrote about food this quarter, but now think about food as a phenomenon. Some of you may not know this, but there was once a time when no Food Network existed: when people did not even obsess so much about the latest cool restaurant or food truck or new place near them that happened to be on Diners, Drive Ins, and Drives.
So what do you think of this food culture? Or what do you think about anything from this article about the rise of a food culture in Peru?
The article was very interesting to read and learn how the food culture in Peru arose and developed throughout the years. It is nice to know how different food cultures developed themselves into these important parts of different countries. It is very important to know the different food cultures around the world and be able to travel the world and try all the different kinds of food! The food culture that resulted from the hard work of the chefs Mitsuharu Tsumura and Virgilio Martinez is impressive to read about and see how the food culture in Peru developed over time. Peru having a great climate is also very good because it can grow anything and everything it wants which makes it a well-rounded country where it is competitive in international trade and such. Currently, in my international relations class, we are talking about trade between developed countries and underdeveloped countries and this is a great correlation between this article and my political science class because Peru as a country is developed in terms of trade and such so it could easily compete with another underdeveloped country in international trade. This article brings out how food is not just prepared the fast food way but how food is developed over time in different countries where different vegetables are used to create a delicious dish at Chili’s. This article really does a good job of explaining this different food culture in Peru which is not something you see every day nowadays.
ReplyDeleteThere are many places that are filled with such violence, economic down falls, poor countries who are in need of money, and other problems. Though who knew that culinary can make such and effect in a poor country. Peru transformed from a country where bombing and murders took place to a well-known place of culinary art. A culinary effect isn’t something that is just done, it’s something that is created with love. There are many individuals who have created this as a profession and makes a living off of it. This new world created many opportunities that many didn’t have before this happened. It is amazing how this opportunity made such a difference in public schools, helping those teach their heritage, and more. I wouldn’t think that this would make such an impact. The reason is because we are so used to the culinary industry here in America, that we don’t see how it has changed throughout time. Technology has developed this new thing that they have television shows and demonstrate how they cook or eat food. Though I have notice that they show food that is known to be street foods. It isn’t that amazing because it’s always the same thing (hot dogs, hamburgers, burritos, meat, and ect). This states that it is teaching us about the new type of culture we have today. Growing up Hispanic my family from Mexico would always cook things that I have never heard of. This is something that does teach me about my heritage. Now in days it has changed the perspective of culinary art.
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing how Peru took a turn for the better. It's amazing how they went from being embarrassed and ashamed about their products to know stamping them with 'made from Peru' to show how proud they were. Peru has experienced some of the worst tragedies from bombings to murders and these experiences made the country scared to live their lives. The culinary effect created a country that began to love itself because they realized how important and resourceful they were. Who would have thought that food can make such a difference in a country that was struggling to live and survive. I think it is great that one person look a risk and ended up changing the entire country. The choice of one chef doing something that he loves created a ripple effect from farmers to public schools. This man created jobs and a sense of pride within the country. Peru provides for themselves from food to furniture and it is pretty crazy to think that one man creating a restaurant can make society finally realize how important every part of the country is in order to grow all the different kinds of foods they love. In America we tend to love all different types and cultures of food but we are dependent on other countries in order to bring those different cultures, traditions, and foods over to the United States. Food can change peoples lives because with food comes love. People come together when food is served because it can be a common ground to start from.
ReplyDeleteFood culture in the United States is defined by the number of different immigrants and ethnic groups who have come to this country over the years. As Americans, we have our own traditional foods from meat and potatoes, hotdogs and hamburgers, fried chicken and waffles, to grandma’s homemade apple pie. These days we have a much wider range of food to pick from, like tacos, egg rolls, sushi, pizza, pasta, and even cow tongue. Traditionally, American food culture relied heavily on our local farming industry and livestock industry to produce the fresh food we eat. In the Twenty-First Century, Americans rely heavily on processed foods, rather than locally grown and raised foods. Fast paced American society is now more accustomed to fast food and microwavable meals. Our food standards and expectations have dropped dramatically, because of our microwave society, in which we want things to taste good but we want it right now. Unlike Peru, depicted in the article, our food standards are much lower and we tend to put lower standards on the taste of the food we eat. Also, much like our older traditional food culture and Peru’s food culture of producing everything locally, we now outsource our meats and produce because Americans want food choices year around instead of seasonally, and we want it done cheaper to keep the costs of our food down.
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ReplyDeleteWhile reading the food article on Peru it was astounding how these people were trying to be starved out as a source of terrorism and how the food that was being supplied to the residents. I do not understand why the terrorists were burning down crops and assaulting the farmers who were trying to feed their fellow countrymen. On the contrary if I was a drug dealer I would be feeding my neighbors and people around me to get the respect and love that would eventually lead to them helping me in the long run when I start to get into trouble with the authorities. These days though I really enjoyed reading in the article in how Peru bounced back from such a devastating time in their country. Although only the wealthier residents are able to dine in these expensive restaurants it really does affect everyone. It affects the farmers who are growing and raising what is going to be served in these restaurants and it is affecting the citizens who are living in these communities because these restaurants are providing jobs. In my eyes the most important thing that these restaurants bring to the people is their sense of being and their pride of their culture. A very powerful statement in the article for me was the line that said that they believed that their items were naturally inferior but that has come to a halt and now they are very proud of themselves and their culture. This may sound weird but a major part of a persons culture and background is the food they consume. When people think of their backgrounds they think about their childhoods and one of the first things they will think about is the meals and foods that they grew up consuming and loving. That is why food plays a major role in ones life.
ReplyDeleteI have always been a fanatic of programs on Food Network and perhaps any cooking channel out there. I have watched Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives traveling around the country to try new things. Marc Summers Unwrapped a show about food and its behind the scene details. Chef Gordon Ramsey on Hells Kitchen and his harshness on new chefs. I have witnessed how people have obsessed over food culture. I think food culture, although in present day it has been grasping the attention of many, Americans don't realize the positive influence it has had on the nation. In Peru that is a whole different story. In the early years Peru were struggling and groups were oppressing the Peruvian people not allowing them to farm. Chef Mitsuharu remembers a time in Peruvian food culture were locals didn't offer the basics of fresh produce and veggies and fruits. However, in the 1990s everything changed when a new generation of cooks came into the culinary industry and filled Peru with culinary opportunities. Peru is known as a country that can grow just about any plant due to the variety of climates its lands has to offer. Also many ancient farming technique have been left behind for current farmers allowing them to cultivate variety of things properly. The food culture has brought along many positive impacts on Peruvian because it has allowed many to find jobs within the culinary industry, cooking classes for residents and food programs within schools. I think food culture has impacted Peru positively. Peru operating effectively in the food culture has inspired many and will inspire those in future generations.
ReplyDeleteFood is such a huge part of our lives that it’s no wonder that many people are inspired by it. I can’t imagine a time with no Food network, Diners, Drive Ins, and Drives or food blogs. Food that is made out of passion is the best. And I think that is what most of these TV shows try to capture for the most part. A restaurant with home recipes or something completely out of the box built on inspiration. This network culture that has been built over the years has really created an impact. Let’s talk about social media for example. Instagram is a huge social media app strictly focused on pictures. Many people on this social media app promote their food or desserts. You can really see the talent in a lot of these people that you would have not known otherwise. A lot of people take pictures of their food and post it online. They visit new restaurants or favorite restaurants and post what they recommend. This really causes people looking at these posts to get hungry and try new places to eat. I used to be guilty of posting pictures of food online but not so much anymore, maybe I’ll start a blog on it instead. Food also brings families and friends together. A great example is Thanksgiving, oh how I love Thanksgiving. I love the cooking and baking. This year I am going to try to make my first pie. I just love how food brings all the people I love together and makes for priceless moments.
ReplyDeleteI am so stoked that Dr. Schmoll decided to have us all read about food culture in Lima Peru. I decided that for my own graduation present to myself at the end of this quarter I am going to Ecuador and then down to Peru to see Machu Picchu for a week and a half. So on Black Friday while everyone is getting their shopping on I will be flying with my fifteen year old sister down to visit some friends in South America. I feel that the food culture down there is sooo different. Here in our American bubble I feel that sometimes there is a mental detachment between where our food comes from and what we see on our plate at a restaurant or in the grocery store. In third world countries it is very different. They take pride in the fact that they raised the chicken or goat that they are eating and brag about how they raised them in a certain way to use them for food. These different methods are kind of artistic in the way that they learn how to change and try new things over time. I love that in their poverty and strife that they still uphold different practices like these and value the culinary arts. They come up with new spices all the time and eat a lot of different animals and vegetables and combine things that you wouldn’t think go together. For example, Guinea pigs are usually animals that Americans view as pets or rodents and Peruvians eat them almost as regularly as we eat chickens. They don’t have a lot of meat on them, but are supposed to be super nutritious.
ReplyDeleteThis food culture that we currently enjoy is both a blessing and a curse. Knowing where to get a great street tacos or where to get the best sushi in Bakersfield but it is hard to appreciate the social media aspect of food. To me food is supposed to be enjoyed by the people who are preset at a current meal not to be viewed on social media. I don’t understand why it is a source of pride or lack of good company but food whether it is ramen noodles or prime rib. This is a bit of a deviation from where the food is or knowing where it to get it but this is the crux and downfall of modern America. The old and young are not exploding facebook and Instagram with their camera phone photos of a bowl of cereal. I do not understand the fixation for people to post everything about their lives from the time the wake up to everything that happens till they close their eyes. I love the progression of food in our lives but I do not love the digitization of the food.
ReplyDeleteIt’s amazing how society has risen and changed our food culture. There was once a time when no Food Network existed which meant that people weren’t able to learn recipes from other cultures. I believe that this type of food culture would not define America as it is define today. For example, today America is defined as a creative and diverse state that has a variety of cultural beliefs, values, and food traditions. I believe that without the food traditions that America has today, we wouldn’t be considered a cultural diverse state. Our food that we advertise so much shows people how diverse we are. I am not talking about restaurants like McDonalds, Jack in the Box, or Panda Express. I am talking about restaurants that not only bring their cultural food to America but also their history. For example, Ichiban is a Japanese restaurant that shows their culture with the food they make but also with how they design the restaurant. I believe that Mexican restaurants do the same thing. Their Mexican food and Mexican environment allows people who are from different cultures to experience this type of culture. I believe that the Food Network has made people want to try different cultural foods and learn how to make them. In addition, the food network has made the food culture more popular than ever. It shows people how to cook in a healthier way. People who are interested in the food culture use social media such as Instagram to show their passion for food and cooking. As a result, the food culture is rising and changing more and more every day.
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see how much food and food culture can have such a positive effect in society. Here in the United States it is very rare to see restaurants working together with farmers and fisherman on a personal level. There is always a middle man communicating back and forth between the two and it is sad that our country has lost touch with this. If restaurants, or even markets would work first hand with farmers, our economy would improve. Restaurants would pay local farmers to grow ingredients for their dishes, and we benefit from knowing that the food we are eating is coming from local farmers, not from some mystery manufacturer. Like in the article, even local artists were benefiting from them. This leads us to think maybe we should continue to build up our own country. Use locally or nationally grown/made foods or materials. Slowly, you have seen that companies are beginning to manufacture products that are made here in the US, and I feel that if we build on this, it will not only create more jobs, but better our economy. Peru is a great example of how a country should work together; they all struggled together, so they all worked hard to strive together.
ReplyDeleteFood culture is a growing label that sticks to a variety of individualistic civilizations that help identify and establish themselves as a rich and growing entity. However in Peru this growing trend seemed to be interrupted by major problems that prohibited farmers to sell their crops. For example The Shining Path and Tupac Amaru where known for having a grip on Peru’s crop control throughout the means of terrorizing its civilian during the 1980’s. Evidently this has steadily been dissolving and has positively been beneficial for Peru’s crops and economic exploitation. In addition the food culture gives a country a sense of uniqueness that would allow them to enrich their cultures. The article states that chefs work in conjunction with fishermen in order to help each other establish sustainable technique. This is in the form of decided when is the best season to fish and or better their techniques to keep their equipment in top shape. It seems like Peru has been steadily growing to make a name for themselves and diversify their rich culture of food. From the farmer, to teacher, to fishermen, and chefs they build up and conform their circle of cultureistic food that help expand their economy and educate other on food. It is complete empowerment that gives them a sense of national pride as their crops expand and go back to prehistoric times. It’s great to learn and understand the culture of other countries that have been growing through the means of community engagement and involvement.
ReplyDeleteFood is an important component in life more than we think. I never knew about the food content in Peru. I was amused by this article because of all the information it provided on the Peru background history. I never thought to myself how food network all started but it sure is interesting. For example when Chef Mitsuharu stated how their were not many food products during the late nineteen hundreds. There was no fruits or vegetables but one veggie. Individuals at Peru must have wished to have better food products because I am sure they would get tired and bored of eating the same food everyday. Peru has really came along well because they found a way to a better food health calendar. They worked hard to discover new foods and dishes. They were successful with their goals because after having minimal food choices they were able to produce and make varieties of food. Little by little Peru has progressed with their restaurants and school lunches.
ReplyDeleteI can’t imagine living without a food network it would be hard to not have food choices. We all eat out at least twice or even three times a week. I think this food culture is interesting how it all began and how much it has progressed. I would be healthier if I lived during this time at Peru because it seems to be as if these people were healthy. After reading this article I was amused how people would be so healthy because there weren’t any fats. Now I wonder how our food variety began here in the United States. It intrigues me to know how people from the fifteenth to the eighteen hundreds survived with few varieties of food. I’m sure it would be hard for us to survive with the food choices back in history.
As I began reading the article, I was shocked to find out that Peru struggled through terrorism during the 80’s and 90’s. When I think of Peru, I think of a beautiful place to getaway and enjoy a variety of foods they have to offer. There were a few quotes that I wanted to include in my entry, just because of the impact it put on me and how amazed I am on how they think as a whole. Two main quotes that caught my eye were, “ The restaurants provide employment, set up nutrition clinics, offer free cooking classes for elders and introduce kids to native ingredients. There is a project currently in the works with public schools to create lunch programs with locally sourced ingredients, not only putting money in the pockets of local farmers but teaching a new generation about its heritage and how to feed itself well” and “The list seems endless of how Peruvians are lending hands to one another, all holding onto a shared belief that since they were all at the bottom together during the 80’s, they should all be at the top together rising as a whole.” I believe this to be a main reason as to why Peru’s food culture is rising. Not only are a few people helping out a minority, but it’s like they’re all concerned for every single person they come across. They want to be able to share the culture of their food, and teach younger generations how to cook delicious foods, such like those that are served at restaurants. A big reason why their food culture is rising is due to amount of help each individual is filled with in Peru. Since they’ve been through the worst together, they shall be at the best together! I feel as if each individual should acquire that type of mindset.
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ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating how food can do so much. For example, it affects economically, socially, culture, and power. After reading the article about Peru’s food, it reminded me about other countries that have gone though a similar situation as Peru. The article states that, “The idea being that if you could control the supply of food to a country’s large cities you would hold control of the entire country.” This idea has been going on for a long time. I remember reading in a history book that, back in the 1940’s the United States controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods. This is where the idea of asking your neighbor “can I borrow a cup of sugar.” Food has the power to bring family and friends together. The biggest example is Thanksgiving; although now in days people are having their dinner earlier, so that they can go shopping. Food has brought many cultures together. In my opinion, we are very blessed that here in the United States we don’t need to travel to taste all kinds of food because we have restaurants like Miyosh, Los Molcajetes, Rosa’s Italian, Coconuts Beach Grill and Thai kitchen.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what I think about food culture in general. I like to eat delicious things, like most people, but I am not so into food culture that I go out of my way to try crazy things or the newest restaurant that everyone is going crazy for. I found the article to be really interesting for a few reasons. It’s interesting to see a country that seemed to be internally struggling with terrorists really turn it around through their food culture. It’s interesting to see how something so very simple as supporting local farmers, education (for both children and adults), and products made in Peru can have such a positive affect. Not only economically, but culturally and socially they are repairing the harm that has been done previously and they are doing it by using pride in their country. I think that is the most amazing and grass roots idea. Like their ancestors the Incas, I supposed I shouldn’t be surprised. These people have an amazing history and their ancestors studied agriculture and made irrigation systems that lasted so much longer than things we make today, and that in itself is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis article was interesting to me. It kind of inspired me to be more open minded when it comes to food. The Chef, mentioned in the article didn't see success until twenty years later. It's great to see success stories.
ReplyDeleteWhat I liked particularly about this article is that there is an actual relationship between the chefs and the food growers themselves. We definitely do not have that in the United States, and it would be great if we implemented that system in our own country. Like the article mentioned, having this type of relationship allows the chefs to say what kinds of crops they want their farmers to grow, so that they can mix it up in the kitchen. Moreover, having small family farms instead of big corporate ones, definitely helps create jobs and help the Peruvian economy. I imagine that chefs get to see their livestock before it is killed, which means that they can see if the animals looked sickly or healthy before murdered. If chefs served poor quality meat in the restaurant, then that could deeply affect the flavor of the food. In the article, it also mentioned that the chefs teach the fishermen proper techniques on when and how to fish properly in order to get the best quality of fish and to make sure that they do not make the fish in the waters scarce. I liked hearing these ideas being shared because it both benefits the animals, the environment, and the ethical eaters. Moreover, I liked that the relationship between the chefs and local farmers influenced a program that plans to serve kids’ school lunches with locally grown food. By having restaurants communicate with their farmers, farmers have been empowered and have been able to provide Peru with delicious food.
ReplyDeleteI found this article very interesting because I never thought about the idea of how food could have been such a new phenomenon. I guess because I’m so fortunate to live in a time and place where cultures and different tastes are at a fingertips reach, I never thought about how new foods could be such a luxury. What I also found surprising was how the control of food was a terrorist attack. It makes complete sense of how it would work, but unfortunately when I think of terrorist attacks I think of bombings and shootings. After reading this article I found myself being very proud of Peru. I love how they took the discovery of new foods and turned it into a huge phenomenon that they were extremely proud of. I find food culture to be so important. Not only is it important because it sustains us as human beings, but it also strings along important family traditions and memories. Food is something that unites us all. The kitchen of a house alone is the place where everyone comes together and connects. Food culture unites different people from all over the world. It was also amazing to read how the rise of food changed other areas of a culture such as education and heritage. I think it’s important to know about the different food cultures because at the end of the day different areas rely on each other to bring new and exciting flavors. Without the different tastes of each culture this world would be a very bland dish.
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