Italian Gastronomy: Food and Culture

The course focuses on the relationships between food and culture in Italy, with special emphasis on the connections between food and cultural background at various moments during the history of the world's famous boot. Students will learn about the social, historical, and cultural forces that have affected food production and consumption over centuries and how these forces developed the present-day professional environment of food service. Special emphasis will be put on a detailed review of the cultural and social changes that occurred in the last decades, how they strongly modified once solid habits, and how contemporary society is slowly responding. Prerequisites: Open to individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree or are currently enrolled in a graduate-level program.