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INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY RESEARCH IN BUSINESS
2. Literature Review
2.1 Foodways
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines foodways as eating habits and culinary practices of
people, region or historical periods. Welch & Scarry (1995) refer this term as an act of
consuming food and behaviors which involved the preparation, presentation and
consumption of it. According to Camp (2009) foodways is a combination and intersection
of food and culture while Powell (2007) posit foodways is mean to identify the identity of
a community, age, ethnicity, gender, locale, occupation and religion. Some argue
foodways closely related to cultural of foods, the tools, techniques and ingredients for
which food is prepared and it customs (Verbeke & Lopez, 2005; Vu, 2009; Thomas,
2004) and one of the best ways to understand a culture and ethnic identity (Scholliers
(2001). Despites these, the most acceptable terms and suit to the context of this study is
that foodways are the production and consumption of food that are characterized by
individuals and society (Gutierrez, 1999; Freeman, 2002; Cusak, 2003; Gold, 2007;
Williams-Forson, 2007). All these scholars in fact argue it is not only refer to food and
cooking, but also to all food-related activities, concepts and beliefs shared by a particular
group of people and give a meaning to their identity. The Irish for instance are being
identified as ―potato people‖ by the English and Sicilians as ―macaroni eaters‖ by the
Northern Italians (Scholliers, 2001). The consumption and production of Hong Kong
poonchoi (an ethnic cuisine) is another closest example of how foodways associated to
identity and lineage as well as sociality and commensality among the community (Shing,
2007).
The elements of foodways which refers to preparation and consumption as explained by
Gutierrez (1999) are mostly being passed down from generation to generation and
informally transmitted through oral and demonstration. New England Clambake is one
of the examples of the foodways practices which have long been the tradition of family
and community of New England. The practices were passed down from the Natives
Americans to the colonist and further to its descendents. As the process of preparing and
cooking of this baking product took at least two or three days to complete therefore it
gives the opportunity to the community in sharing stories and connect with each other.
Neustadt (1999) contend social relations are reinforced in this matter as individuals,
families and community exchange foods or shared meals to create and strengthen social
bonds within the community culture.
Gutierrez (1999) on the other hand posited that food and foodways are important element
in any celebrations and occasions. This is also in line with argument given by Murphy
(2000) that certain foodways during feasts or celebrations symbolize values and
important meaning in specific religions, cultures and ethnicity. Food and dishes served
during festivities, weddings and other occasions often reflect the host ethnicity, locality
and religion despites the preparation and presentation of meals or cuisines are varied
depending on communities/ethnic and occasions (Vu, 2006). Some ethnics have
structured their foodways in handling certain occasions with their religion such as
Hindus, Buddhist and Jews (Vo, 2006). Hindus prepared Laddu for their festival of light.
The Laddu symbolize their gratitude to god for their happiness, knowledge, peace and
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JANUARY 2011
VOL 2, NO 9