ABSTRACT
Food communicates the identity of a place, both its tangible and intangible culinary heritages. Eating and sharing ‘food’ contribute to individual and social well-being. Food events emerge as pathways to gather well-being through food. This chapter analyses the relationships between food and well-being in natural environments and it is built on the framework of event tourism, which represent an avenue towards the consecution of sustainable development. Drawing on nine interviews with the organiser and eight restaurants that participate in the Bean Fair which takes place in Santa Pau (Catalonia, Spain), this research explores the role of a bean in residents’ well-being. Results show that the fair serves to communicate how locals are proud of local landscape, products, and culinary traditions. Participants highlight the connection between culture and nature, and how bean production and consumption are significant factor drivers of well-being. Results also observe the wide presence of beans in restaurant menus and, ultimately, how locals’ involvement with the event fosters life satisfaction. This chapter advances the understanding of the relationships between events and well-being through food. Drawing from the case of a quality product (Santa Pau beans count on a PDO) located on a Natural Park (Garrotxa Volcanic Zone), the research also discusses both theoretical and practical implications, which are especially relevant for event tourism management and marketing in peripheral areas.
