Identity Crisis: Authenticity in a Changing Food Landscape

Meat + Three

Today, we’re unraveling one of food’s biggest buzzwords to see what lies beneath. Authenticity conveys meaning, tradition, and truth wherever it’s invoked, but is it always as important as we seem to think it is? From biotechnology's influence on traditional cuisine to personal reflections from international chefs, we explore the bounds of authenticity’s usefulness as a concept. Then, we go deep on the social dimensions of culinary narratives and their misuse in the case of terroir and the Algerian wine industry to learn about what happens when our desire for authenticity gets co-opted into something more sinister.

Further Reading:

Listen to Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr speak more about authenticity, CRISPR and her work in Italy on these Gastronomica episodes: Episode 38 and Episode 25.

For more information about how CRISPR may affect our foodways, listen to Lauren’s podcast, A CRISPR Bite.

Find Lauren’s article about conversations circulating on Twitter about CRISPR here.

When you’re in Mexico City, check out Chef Ron Dutes for some amazing culinary experiences.

Check out Fabio Parasecoli’s book Gastronativism for more on authenticity and food as ideological tools.

To learn more about Algerian viticulture read this New Lines article. To deep dive into Authenticity check out this article from Gastronomica: Journal for Food Studies.

This episode of Meat and Three was reported by Elizabeth Fisher, Danielle Flitter, Sophia Hooper, and Addison Austin-Lou.

Our lead producer on this episode was Sophia Hooper, with support from Hannah Chouinard.

Meat and Three is produced by H Conley and Taylor Early.

Additional Music in this episode by Koi-discovery & HolinzaCC0.

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