I have a class discussion. The ones below are my peers discussion I need them combined into one for my discussion. and two replies for both those students. No plagiarism and no changing words around.
Requirements:
Many people like to think of themselves as being culturally omnivourous, that is eating across culinary ethnic bouandaries. They enjoy trying, or “discovering,” new “cultures” through food. In the United States, and across the world, restaurants, including fast food restaurants, serve a variety of food often presented as being from a specific culinary or ethnic tradition. Many people enjoy wathcing programing about food, or collecting recipes from other cultures and then attempt to recreate these at home. However, as we know, cultures are not monolithic or static. There are numerous umbrella terms for ethnicities that actually contain multitudes of ethnic groups, for instance; India, Native America, Mexican, Chinese. Ask a person from the ountry India if they “would like to get “Indian food?” and they may vary well ask “What kind?” Many of these “ethnic” cuisines have been modified, especially fast food, to such a degree that they raise questions of authenticity. For this discussion please answer “What is the difference between cultural appropriation and enjoyment or appreciation in the consumption of “ethnic” food in the United States? In your response also touch on the question of authenticity, at what point does food lose its cutlural authenticity and what does it become then: “American,” “Hybrid”, or something other?
Instructions:
- Post an original response addressing the stated questions above. Expected length approx. 1/2 page. Make sure you reference the materials from this week. Post your original response by 11:59 pm on Friday, 2/5
- Read your classmates’ responses. Respond to two other posts from different classmates with a paragraph. Do not merely reply “I agree or I disagree” you should provide a reasoning for your argument. Do not copy any of your peers’ responses
One student discussion:
The topic of cultural appreciation versus appropriation is always a hot topic especially in todays society. However, culinary appreciation and appropriation is not spoken about as much as it should be. I believe exploring the different culinary culture through eating or cooking is very much appreciation. Sharing and learning recipes from all over the world to bring food to the table which almost always results in satisfaction, joy, happiness and unity. Although some people are open minded and wiling to try cuisines from other cultures without judgement… unfortunately there are some that are quick to judge other culture’s food choices. This is something that could be considered unacceptable.
One thing that comes to my mind while writing about this is authentic and inauthentic. I am sure we all know that America is known for taking many foods from other countries, but making them “Americanized.” I am sure not every restaurant or fast food chain that copy cuisines from other countries cook and use the same exact ingredients like they do in that specific country it came from. That is why some restaurants may even have the word “authentic” or make it known that their food is authentic because not everyone restaurant or food chain can say that.
I have been working at an asian restaurant which includes Chinese, Japanese and Thai for a few years. I remember one time my boss who is Chinese told me that they don’t make their foods as spciy as they normally would be because they make it more of the “American” way. Which shows that the “general tso chicken” we eat from the chinese restaurant down the street might taste a lot different than the general tso chicken made in China the traditional way.
When I went to Italy one summer the food was a bit different than I expected. I was actually surprised the first time I ate pizza there because it definitely did not taste the same which shows how different America changes cuisines from other cultures. The pizza from Italy was personal sized and cooked as soon as someone places an order so it’s fresh. They also did not add any extra ingredients it was pretty straight forward; dough, sauce and cheese. American pizza has a lot more flavors and especially oil.
I think there’s definitely a hybrid of culture cuisines in America. There are many authentic restaurants, but there are also unauthentic restaurants especially when it comes to fast food chains.
Another student:
The first umbrella term that came to mind when talking about cultural authenticity in food is American Chinese food. Most Chinese restaurants in the US typically serve the same genre of food, with little variation between restaurants. However, after watching a food docuseries, I came to find out that the well-known favorites like General Tso’s chicken would be nearly impossible to find in China. Chinese cuisine is so much more diverse and unlike any other kind of culinary experience known by the general American public. Authentic Chinese food has a heavy focus on different textures and tastes that would be far outside the comfort zones for many people in the states. For this reason, American Chinses food has evolved into an experience that is no longer daunting, including only specific parts of the food culture. For this reason, I would say that American Chinese food leans more toward food appropriation, and could even become its own food category. American Chinese food is much more a fusion of two different countries’ cuisines than it is actually Chinese food. To call it Chinese is doing a disservice, but if it were named after what it truly was, it wouldn’t be appropriation.
Another concept that is often talked about when discussing the matter of food appropriation is fusion foods in general. This is when two kinds of foods from two different cultures come together into one dish. Some examples of these that I have come across include sushi burritos, jerk chicken ramen, bulgogi tacos, and so on. I think one of the most amazing parts about food is how it’s constantly evolving. Different cultures meet and come together to form new and amazing food creations. I don’t think that combining two different foods from two different cultures leads to appropriation, as long as both cultures are being represented by their name and through authenticity. So much of food culture stems from different places being introduced to items that were originally foreign to them, but despite once being unknown, ingredients or even methods of cooking become a huge part of the identity in these places.
Theres another topic and two discussion but there’s a lot here I’ll add that after those one discussion and two replies are done.
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