Food Diplomacy, Food Security, Food Experience or food as an Identity or a statement

There has always been a strong connection between food and diplomacy.

“There has never been a great event, not even conspiracies, which was not conceived, worked out, and organized over a meal”.

Social entertainment has been considered as a necessary tool of diplomacy, which is seen “from the habit of ambassadors always to take their cook to avoid or poisoning.

The control of food supplies was often used as an effective weapon in wars. Food supplies and logistics played a crucial role in the conquests of Alexander the Great, during the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage, and then in the American Revolutionary War, as well as in a series of Napoleon’s victories. After the battle in Austerlitz, Napoleon concluded that “an army marches on its stomach.”

As one component of national identity, culinary identity and tradition, local foods, and national dishes are also exposed to the influence of such global trends, whereby the need for their protection seems ever more important.

Expo 2020 will be the largest global platform that people can experience the soft diplomacy of the world through the amazing cuisines and hidden gem concepts.

I am interested to know what people think of food and if they consider it as part of a nation branding exercise, memorable experiences, or soft power?