ABSTRACT
Like authenticity, exoticism is a key element of foodie discourse. As with the case of authenticity, the term “exotic” is not always directly invoked, yet the desire for an exotic food experience underscores many central elements of the American foodscape-the food television shows that take viewers on a culinary adventure using exotic ingredients, the cooking guides that demonstrate how to impress your guests with dishes like grilled Haloumi cheese and pork chops with North African spice paste, the food magazine travelogs showcasing unusual foods from remote climes, and the restaurant reviews enticing readers to venture off the beaten culinary path. Even cruise ships are starting to offer more exotic fare. The director of strategic marketing for Radisson Seven Seas explains: “Food is playing a larger part in everybody’s life these days, and not just on vacation . . . They’re becoming more adventurous in what they try. You look back 20 years ago, how many sushi places and Thai restaurants were there? Now, they’re everywhere.
