ABSTRACT
Food is a pivotal ingredient within the relationship between hosts and guests because it shows the values that people and places give to gastronomy – the sense of place is protected and promoted through food. Food is a sign of a close relationship between people – the person who serves and the person who consumes are sharing the food moment. Through food, tourism experiences represent an appropriation of the way of being and the lifestyles of locals which relies on human contact as a source of visitor attraction. This chapter addresses food as a path to socialization, hospitality, culture, knowledge, and intercultural exchange. The aim of this chapter is to reflect on the role of those elements regarding tourism and gastronomy.
