Culinary Diplomacy: How the U.A.E. may further enhance its Global Relationships

We are all familiar with the parochial proverb, “the easiest way to win hearts and minds is through the stomach.”

For centuries Heads of State have been hosting state dinners in order to renew and celebrate diplomatic ties. These events not only strengthen political bonds, but are often a show piece of a nations cultural heritage through food and the arts.

With the global rise of the “Foodie” phenomenon, governments around the world have capitalized by not only developing international campaigns to show case their individual culinary heritage but have also heavily invested in public-private sector partnerships to allow culinary entrepreneurs to flourish, attracting large investments from hospitality based investors.

In 2020, the United Arab Emirates will be hosting the World’s Fair. 200 nationalities already successfully co-exist in the U.A.E. but the fair will be a unique opportunity for Emirati cuisine to be used as a means to communicate not only the culinary heritage of Emiratis but also act as a medium to convey the history and values of the nation.

Countries, particularly from the west, have used their restaurant brands to promote their culture. As Sam Chapple-Sokol puts it, “McDonalds and KFC are de facto embassies in more than 100 countries.”

 Over the course of this past summer, I had the opportunity to engage with an Emirati entrepreneur that is at the forefront of promoting local cuisine. The conversation that ensued explored how the restaurant could be used not only as a place to consume food, but how it may be developed into a place of learning. Despite the vast investment made by Government Stakeholders in promoting the U.A.E. both at home and through its embassies, many around the world are still unfamiliar with the U.A.E.’s history and values. If patrons of the restaurant could experience and learn this history and values, the entrepreneur would have successfully turned culinary patrons into Global Ambassadors for the U.A.E., taking the U.A.E.’s positive messaging around the world.

Another area that could be explored is how Culinary Diplomacy may enhance the geo-political ties between states. The U.A.E. established diplomatic ties with China in 1984, however, their trade links date back long before then into the present with China being the U.A.E.’s largest non-oil trade partner.

As global consumers, we know very little about Chinese culinary heritage outside of Cantonese cuisine. Hosting 20% of the world’s population, its geography and its people are highly diverse and with it, its culinary heritage. One characteristic that unites most Chinese though is the pride attached to their cuisine. The BBC reported that China recently displayed a keen interest in their culinary heritage and promoting it to the world. The article further conveyed that a crop of new museums all about food have popped up across China to show case how food has been prepared across centuries.

One of the U.A.E.’s greatest strengths has been its communication and public relation channels that has attracted so much trade and tourism to the country. China’s global media presence however has been vastly articulated around non-cultural issues. Perhaps China could benefit from the U.A.E.’s global media experience to promote its Culinary Heritage to the citizens of the world.

Perhaps the U.A.E. could establish links with the culinary and cultural institutes of China and host them in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, allowing Chinese culinary talent to showcase their food to over 200 nationalities that reside and visit the U.A.E. annually. A culinary relationship would allow both states to grow close together, and thus, strengthen economic ties through trade and tourism which are vital to both parties.

Through the auspices of food, China and the U.A.E. may also create a joint culinary taskforce to address both countries growing obesity and diabetes related challenges as these issues are having a non-negligible social impact on their respective communities. As stated in a previous article, some of the world's healthiest cities are also some of the world's greatest culinary hubs.

There is equally much to be discussed when engaging in culinary diplomacy in relation to conflict and slavery. Tea, Coffee and the Chocolate trades among others have similar challenges as that of Diamonds and other rare commodities.

The U.A.E.’s food and beverage market is largely made up off international franchises. This has certainly contributed positively to the economy; however, it has played nicely into the notion of corporate culinary imperialism. Culinary Diplomacy in hand with Culinary Entrepreneurism will allow the U.A.E. to further enhance its heritage at home and promote its talent abroad. Will we one day be able to consume the U.A.E.’s food culture on the streets of Beijing, New York and Paris? Will the U.A.E. be a platform to launch global food and beverages brands that communicate larger Arab heritage and values?

Food may be used as a political platform for critical dialogue on a host of local and international issues. What better way to come together to resolve our differences and push our common goals than eat around a table as we have done for centuries.