Gastronomy

This study examines how regional gastronomic identity is expressed through restaurant menus in the Okanagan Valley, designated in October 2025 as Canada’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy. This article aims to assess the emergence of a regional gastronomic identity and the potential recognition of a signature dish. An exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach was used to collect data from 40 restaurants, where 283 main dishes were selected and analyzed. These data were coded primarily to identify recurring compositional structures and emerging ingredient patterns. Several recurring compositional templates appear across restaurants, structured around shared protein–starch–sauce configurations. Although they remain occasional, their repetition across restaurants points to the early formation of a recognizable gastronomic identity. This identity does not rely on a single signature dish but takes shape through shared dish structures that recur across menus. These patterns contribute to ongoing discussions in gastronomy tourism by showing how regional identity can develop through distributed and processual culinary practices. The study shows how menu analysis provides a valuable lens for understanding the development of such an identity in emerging gastronomic destinations.

Gastronomic tourism has emerged as a significant driver of destination competitiveness, cultural preservation, and sustainable development. This comprehensive review synthesizes the scientific literature published between 2010 and 2025, examining the evolution of gastronomic tourism research, global trends, sustainability dimensions, and emerging challenges. Through systematic analysis of 150 peer-reviewed articles from major academic databases, this paper identifies key themes including cultural heritage preservation, sustainability practices, digital transformation, and educational innovations. The findings reveal a growing recognition of gastronomy as intangible cultural heritage, increased focus on farm-to-fork practices, and the transformative role of social media in destination branding. Despite the rapid growth of gastronomic tourism research, important gaps remain. The literature lacks standardized sustainability indicators, limiting comparability across studies, while cross-cultural comparative research and interdisciplinary integration remain insufficiently developed. Addressing these gaps is essential for advancing theoretical coherence and supporting evidence-based practice in gastronomic tourism.

Determination of the right price is vital for the success of newly developed food products. This study examined the market prices and their determinants for five ready-to-cook catfish products: Panko-Breaded Standard Strips (PBSS), Panko-Breaded Standard Fillet (PBSF), Panko-Breaded Delacata Fillet (PBDF), Sriracha-Marinated Delacata Fillet (SMDF), and Sesame-Ginger-Marinated Delacata Fillet (SGMDF). Market prices were derived using Vickrey’s second-price auction, where the second-highest bid represents the market price. We analyzed experimental auction data from 121 consumers using a logit model to estimate the probability of offering the market price based on product sensory attributes, socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, and the level of competition (panel size). Consumers’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) was elicited in two rounds: before tasting (visual evaluation) and after tasting (organoleptic evaluation) the products. Breaded products received higher market prices than marinated products, with PBDF ranked highest. Sensory traits, especially taste, along with income, education, and grocery shopping involvement, significantly influenced the formation of market price. Increased competition elevated the market prices. Both product features and consumer characteristics significantly affect market price outcomes, and experimental auctions provide a robust tool for understanding consumer behavior toward newly developed food products.