From the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East to the war between Russia and Ukraine, and from civil wars in Africa to the turmoil in the Pacific region, we currently witness how potential and actual conflicts threaten humanity. Seizing this opportunity, global powers eagerly meet the needs of countries entering the arms race, continuing to fuel this chaotic environment. One piece of evidence of this is the alarming increase in the number of conflicts and crises in the past few years, each leaving behind a trail of destruction and human tragedy. Lost lives, people forced to migrate, fragmented societies, and uncertain futures stand before us as the bitter realities of today’s world.
In the realm of current global politics, which is partly dominated by coercive power, we see that although disagreements and regional conflicts prevail, the effects of soft power activities are also beginning to increase. In this context, public diplomacy, used by states as a soft power tool, emerges as an important factor in reducing conflicts and competition. Notably, gastrodiplomacy—an influential aspect of public diplomacy—is becoming increasingly prominent among soft power tools day by day.
Gastrodiplomacy can be defined as the use of a country’s cuisine, to positively influence the perceptions of other nations, enhance the country’s image and promotion, and ultimately increase its global recognition. Although there are many methods to showcase a country’s culture, using its culinary culture stands out as one of the most effective tools. Culinary culture is also utilized by governments as a strategy development tool in cultural diplomacy. In this chapter, we will explore the importance of gastrodiplomacy and specifically examine the historical development of gastrodiplomacy practices in Türkiye up to the present day. We will illustrate with examples how gastrodiplomacy is an important element of soft power in Türkiye’s foreign policy.
