The New Nordic Food Program: A Regional Gastrodiplomacy Analysis from 2010 to 2014

Abstract

It started with a meeting between several chefs and culinary activists from the Nordic Countries who produced a manifesto to create a culinary program based on Nordic values. A year later, it received support from the government in this case the Nordic Council of Ministers which expanded a program called the New Nordic Food Program. Starting from a program carried out within the Nordic region to a program implemented internationally to promote Nordic culture and values. The efforts made by the Nordic Council of Ministers in promoting their culture through food are by organizing events in various countries. This research was conducted to find out how the implementation of the Nordic Food Program as an effort to gastro diplomacy in the Nordic countries during the period 2011 – 2014. This research was conducted with qualitative descriptions and using several theories such as soft power, regionalism, and gastrodiplomacy. The results of this study found that the Nordic Council of Ministers is a form of regionalism from the Nordic countries. The New Nordic Food program implemented by the Nordic Council of Ministers in the period 2011 – 2014 has promoted Nordic specialties to various countries through organized events.