TRADITION AND INNOVATION – CULINARRY TOURISM

Lupu Ilie Cristan

Profesor: Mihai Daniel Frumuselu

Universitatea De Stiinte Agronomice Si Medicina

Veterniara Bucuresti

Culinary tourism as a form of tourismCulinary tourism as a form of tourism

“ “Culinary tourism" suggests the idea of Culinary tourism" suggests the idea of experiencing other cultures through food.experiencing other cultures through food.

Culinary Tourism is about how to best develop Culinary Tourism is about how to best develop and market a new kind of visitor attraction - and market a new kind of visitor attraction - unique and memorable food and drink unique and memorable food and drink experiences. experiences.

Food and beverage are an equally - if not more - Food and beverage are an equally - if not more - powerful tourism attractions like museums, powerful tourism attractions like museums, sports and shopping. sports and shopping.

Every traveler eats and drinksEvery traveler eats and drinks, so the owner , so the owner of a hotel, restaurant, rural pension has to use of a hotel, restaurant, rural pension has to use the fact in the best way it is possible for the the fact in the best way it is possible for the tourist and for himself. tourist and for himself.

According to the Travel Industry Association of According to the Travel Industry Association of America and the Canadian Tourism America and the Canadian Tourism Commission, tourists who are interested in Commission, tourists who are interested in wine/cuisine also show an affinity for museums, wine/cuisine also show an affinity for museums, theater, shopping, music, film festivals and theater, shopping, music, film festivals and outdoor recreation. outdoor recreation.

Nature – based tourism depends of the local Nature – based tourism depends of the local cuisine more than the classical tourismcuisine more than the classical tourism

Classical tourismClassical tourism Commune (general) Commune (general)

cuisinecuisine International cuisineInternational cuisine

Nature - based tourismNature - based tourism Local cuisineLocal cuisine Traditional cuisineTraditional cuisine Ecological food productsEcological food products

For a manager which works in hospitality For a manager which works in hospitality industry, culinary tourism is important because industry, culinary tourism is important because gets information and can improve:gets information and can improve: food and the culinary arts, food and the culinary arts, agriculture and economic development, agriculture and economic development, economic impacts of creating culinary tourism economic impacts of creating culinary tourism

destinations, destinations, wine and wineries, wine and wineries, arts and culture, arts and culture, history and anthropology, history and anthropology, locally produced food and drink.locally produced food and drink.

Unlike other travel activities and attractions, Unlike other travel activities and attractions, cuisine is available year-round, any time of day cuisine is available year-round, any time of day and in any weather. and in any weather.

If executed correctly, culinary tourism can put a If executed correctly, culinary tourism can put a restaurant / hotel / rural pension “on the map” restaurant / hotel / rural pension “on the map” of the region.of the region.

Culinary tourism is a major contributor to the Culinary tourism is a major contributor to the tourism strategy of any destination. tourism strategy of any destination.

Some general aspects of the Romanian tourismSome general aspects of the Romanian tourism

Few countries can offer the variety of attractions Few countries can offer the variety of attractions for tourists as Romania. for tourists as Romania.

From beach holidays at the Black Sea Coast, to From beach holidays at the Black Sea Coast, to viewing rare birds at the Danube Delta, to snow viewing rare birds at the Danube Delta, to snow skiing or soaking in curative mineral waters in skiing or soaking in curative mineral waters in mountainous Transylvania and Bucovina, mountainous Transylvania and Bucovina, Romania's physical features offer a multitude of Romania's physical features offer a multitude of attractions for tourists. attractions for tourists.

Romania still has every chances to become an Romania still has every chances to become an important destination for the tourists from all important destination for the tourists from all over the world:over the world: preserved medieval villages, preserved medieval villages, unique rural culture, unique rural culture, unique monasteriesunique monasteries untouched nature untouched nature

A part of the cultural heritage of a nation A part of the cultural heritage of a nation is the is the variety of traditional foodvariety of traditional food, kept unchanged for , kept unchanged for generation to generation.generation to generation.

Romania has some traditional ways to prepare Romania has some traditional ways to prepare food, characteristic for each region of the food, characteristic for each region of the country and the tourists who tried once a country and the tourists who tried once a traditional dish will come again to taste it.traditional dish will come again to taste it.

Every historical regions of Romania have its Every historical regions of Romania have its own specific in culture and customs, reflected in own specific in culture and customs, reflected in the folk music, the architecture of the houses, the folk music, the architecture of the houses, the traditional costumes and, of course, in local the traditional costumes and, of course, in local cuisine. cuisine.

Traveling across Romania the tourist can meet a Traveling across Romania the tourist can meet a mix from old and new elements which represent mix from old and new elements which represent the charm of the country. the charm of the country.

Culinary tourism in RomaniaCulinary tourism in Romania

Romanian cuisine is diverse, blending the dishes of Romanian cuisine is diverse, blending the dishes of several traditions which it came into contact with, several traditions which it came into contact with, as well as maintaining its own character. as well as maintaining its own character.

Romania's cuisine was somewhat influenced by the Romania's cuisine was somewhat influenced by the other peoples that lived on its territory such as the other peoples that lived on its territory such as the ethnic Hungarians and Germans that are still living ethnic Hungarians and Germans that are still living in the middle and western parts of Romania. in the middle and western parts of Romania.

Also, some Greek, Slavic, Turkish and French Also, some Greek, Slavic, Turkish and French influences are felt. But the oldest influence comes influences are felt. But the oldest influence comes from the Dacian-Roman era. from the Dacian-Roman era.

The truth is that Romanians like to eat, they eat The truth is that Romanians like to eat, they eat a lot and well. They do not think of cholesterol a lot and well. They do not think of cholesterol or low fat diets while they are taking lunch or or low fat diets while they are taking lunch or dinner. dinner.

An existential Romanian question is: An existential Romanian question is:

We eat to live, or live to eat?We eat to live, or live to eat?

A great number of proverbs and sayings have A great number of proverbs and sayings have developed around the activity of eating:developed around the activity of eating:

The innocent child's thank you:The innocent child's thank you:

Thank you for the meal Thank you for the meal

it was good and tasty it was good and tasty

and the cook was fatand the cook was fat

Some simple saying:Some simple saying:

Love passes through the stomachLove passes through the stomach

Appetite comes while eatingAppetite comes while eating

Hunger is the best cookHunger is the best cook

The sarcastic proverb:The sarcastic proverb:

Ate well, drank well, in the morning woke up deadAte well, drank well, in the morning woke up dead

Half true, half joke:Half true, half joke:

The best fish is always the porkThe best fish is always the pork

The region of Moldavia with its The region of Moldavia with its northern part – Bucovinanorthern part – Bucovina

Moldavian cuisine is said to be the Moldavian cuisine is said to be the most refined of all. most refined of all. The cakes made in this part of the The cakes made in this part of the country are so many and diverse one country are so many and diverse one loses count. loses count. Weddings, baptisms, winter and spring holidays Weddings, baptisms, winter and spring holidays

and even funerals are as many occasions for and even funerals are as many occasions for each Moldavian woman to show off her culinary each Moldavian woman to show off her culinary art. art.

During the last 10 – 12 years Moldavia becomes During the last 10 – 12 years Moldavia becomes the region with the biggest number of rural the region with the biggest number of rural pensions and motels where cultural and pensions and motels where cultural and historical tourism is mixing in a perfect way with historical tourism is mixing in a perfect way with culinary tourism. culinary tourism.

Polenta is always Polenta is always accompaning Moldavian accompaning Moldavian sarmalesarmale (meat rolls in (meat rolls in cabbage leaves), a famous cabbage leaves), a famous dish served in Romanian dish served in Romanian restaurants around the world. restaurants around the world. These meatballs rolled in These meatballs rolled in cabbage or vine leaves are cabbage or vine leaves are made from minced pork, made from minced pork, beef or both types of meat, beef or both types of meat, mixed with rice, salt, pepper, mixed with rice, salt, pepper, chopped dill and parsley as chopped dill and parsley as well as chopped onion; small well as chopped onion; small portions of this mixture are portions of this mixture are then rolled in sauerkraut or then rolled in sauerkraut or vine leaves and boiled.vine leaves and boiled.

Moldavian wines have Moldavian wines have been known for five been known for five centuries. There are centuries. There are vineyards that can be vineyards that can be visited because here the visited because here the tourist can taste wines tourist can taste wines awarded with prizes at awarded with prizes at international wine international wine competitions. competitions.

Every year during autumn Every year during autumn the restaurants organize the restaurants organize days for tasting days for tasting mustmust the ‑ the ‑fermented grape juice, new fermented grape juice, new wine offered with smoke-wine offered with smoke-dried salt sheep meat.dried salt sheep meat.

The slaughtering of the pig The slaughtering of the pig in winter is followed by in winter is followed by cooking ritual, directed by cooking ritual, directed by the housewife who cooks the housewife who cooks scores of dishes: scores of dishes: racituriracituri (meat jelly made with pig’s (meat jelly made with pig’s trotters), sausages and trotters), sausages and others. others.

The rural tourism use a lot The rural tourism use a lot this custom offering to the this custom offering to the tourist the whole ritual tourist the whole ritual with a rich dinner at the with a rich dinner at the end consisting of all the end consisting of all the particular dishes cooked particular dishes cooked from the pork meat. from the pork meat.

A cradle of old civilisation, where history blends with A cradle of old civilisation, where history blends with legend, legend, BucovinaBucovina is known for its famous painted is known for its famous painted monasteries - UNESCO patrimony: Moldovita, monasteries - UNESCO patrimony: Moldovita, Sucevita, Voronet, Humor. As to the architectonic and Sucevita, Voronet, Humor. As to the architectonic and historical aspects, the monasteries of Putna and historical aspects, the monasteries of Putna and Dragomirna are not of less importance.Dragomirna are not of less importance.

The popular architecture is really unique. The verandas, The popular architecture is really unique. The verandas, doors and window - frames, wells and gates are real doors and window - frames, wells and gates are real wooden embroideries.wooden embroideries.

The homespun, the The homespun, the embroideries, the embroideries, the decoration of Easter eggs decoration of Easter eggs with geometrical with geometrical miniatures, the miniatures, the manufacturing of manufacturing of traditional costumes, are traditional costumes, are also important part of also important part of Bucovine's treasury.Bucovine's treasury.

For example, the For example, the Trout festivalTrout festival in Ciocanesti (Suceava in Ciocanesti (Suceava County) which consists in a trout fishing competition, County) which consists in a trout fishing competition, an exhibition with dishes on trout basis, a parade of an exhibition with dishes on trout basis, a parade of riders with traditional costumes and, in the evening, a riders with traditional costumes and, in the evening, a rich diner with folk music and dances. rich diner with folk music and dances.

It is important to underline that in Ciocanesti, too is It is important to underline that in Ciocanesti, too is organized another festival before Easter – organized another festival before Easter – The Painted The Painted Eggs FestivalEggs Festival with a cultural aim to promote the old with a cultural aim to promote the old art of painting the eggs. So, in the same village the art of painting the eggs. So, in the same village the cultural tourism is interweaving with the culinary one.cultural tourism is interweaving with the culinary one.

Trout with cream sauceTrout with cream sauce

Smoked trout in fir-tree Smoked trout in fir-tree boxbox

Dishes made from mushrooms Dishes made from mushrooms Sweets and strong liqueurs made from forest Sweets and strong liqueurs made from forest

berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)

Preparation for AFINATA:

- mix the blueberries with the sugar (make sure you don’t eat them all in the process)

- leave for a few weeks

- mix with the alcohol

- leave for a few more weeks

- ENJOI !

Other Romania touristic regionsOther Romania touristic regions

The people living in The people living in TransylvaniaTransylvania, a province inside , a province inside the arch of the Carpathian Mountains like a citadel the arch of the Carpathian Mountains like a citadel surrounded by its walls, are real gourmets, though they surrounded by its walls, are real gourmets, though they are quite moderate in their eating habits. are quite moderate in their eating habits.

For a foreigner to realize For a foreigner to realize what the typical what the typical Transylvanian likes to eatTransylvanian likes to eat, he should think of the , he should think of the taste of a taste of a piece of smoked lard or baconpiece of smoked lard or bacon eaten with eaten with an onion and fresh bread from the ovenan onion and fresh bread from the oven, together , together with with a glass of strong prune brandya glass of strong prune brandy. .

Such food would do good even to someone Such food would do good even to someone exploring the North Pole. exploring the North Pole.

The best fish is always the pork !

The Transilvania region is reach in cultural and The Transilvania region is reach in cultural and historical places where the visitor can spent his free historical places where the visitor can spent his free time. Medieval towns like Cluj, Sibiu, Brasov, Targu time. Medieval towns like Cluj, Sibiu, Brasov, Targu Mures, Sighisoara and others are famous for different Mures, Sighisoara and others are famous for different cultural events:cultural events: International jazz festivalInternational jazz festival in Sibiu, in Sibiu, International festival for pop music International festival for pop music The golden stagThe golden stag in in

Brasov, Brasov, Remember medieval daysRemember medieval days – a week of medieval music, – a week of medieval music,

parades with old costumes and picnics with old and new parades with old costumes and picnics with old and new dishes organized in Sighisoara are only a few sports for an dishes organized in Sighisoara are only a few sports for an European tourist. European tourist.

The province of The province of OlteniaOltenia is laid in the south of is laid in the south of Romania. Romania.

The usually simple Oltenian cuisine is always The usually simple Oltenian cuisine is always lavishly seasoned with horse radish, pepper, and lavishly seasoned with horse radish, pepper, and chilli pepper. Oltenian sausages are famous. chilli pepper. Oltenian sausages are famous.

It worth to visit Oltenia, mainly because there, in It worth to visit Oltenia, mainly because there, in Targu Jiu town there are some masterpieces of Targu Jiu town there are some masterpieces of our famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi. our famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi.

The mountain part of Oltenia has wonderful The mountain part of Oltenia has wonderful landscapes and some orthodox monasteries, landscapes and some orthodox monasteries, places of peace and reflection. places of peace and reflection.

Dobrogea Dobrogea is the region stretching between the Danube is the region stretching between the Danube and the Black Sea, where the gourmet is tempted by a and the Black Sea, where the gourmet is tempted by a lot of flavors and tastes belonging to the Romanian lot of flavors and tastes belonging to the Romanian cuisine with Greek, Turkish, Tartar and Bulgarian cuisine with Greek, Turkish, Tartar and Bulgarian influences.influences.

Tourists coming to this region, and especially those Tourists coming to this region, and especially those who spend some time on the Black Sea coast, will long who spend some time on the Black Sea coast, will long remember the delicious tripe soup, noted for its remember the delicious tripe soup, noted for its nutritional value as well as for the fact that it is said to nutritional value as well as for the fact that it is said to be a remedy after bacchic excesses. be a remedy after bacchic excesses.

Turkish coffee has long Turkish coffee has long been liked for its flavor, been liked for its flavor, and the inhabitants of and the inhabitants of Dobrogea are good at Dobrogea are good at making it, just as they making it, just as they make excellent cakes make excellent cakes with walnuts and syrup with walnuts and syrup called called baclavabaclava and and sarailiesarailie..

From cultural point of view Dobrogea is the From cultural point of view Dobrogea is the cradle of our people Christianity; it still remains cradle of our people Christianity; it still remains from Greek and Roman periods historical and from Greek and Roman periods historical and art monuments, the cage where leaved St. art monuments, the cage where leaved St. Andrew, the ruins of the first orthodox church Andrew, the ruins of the first orthodox church and others.and others.

The The Danube DeltaDanube Delta is a heaven of birds and fish. It is is a heaven of birds and fish. It is famous not only for its beauty, which is unique in famous not only for its beauty, which is unique in Europe and in the world, but also for the fish dishes Europe and in the world, but also for the fish dishes prepared here. prepared here.

The traveler will undoubtedly remember the The traveler will undoubtedly remember the extraordinary taste of the celebrated fisherman’s soup, extraordinary taste of the celebrated fisherman’s soup, no match of which can be prepared elsewhere. no match of which can be prepared elsewhere.

In the last 10 – 12 years the tourism has In the last 10 – 12 years the tourism has developed in the Danube Delta, especially sport developed in the Danube Delta, especially sport fishing tourism and culinary tourism, step by fishing tourism and culinary tourism, step by step these activities becoming an important step these activities becoming an important source of income for the local population. source of income for the local population.

ConclusionsConclusions

The touristic potential of the Romania is very The touristic potential of the Romania is very high but not sufficient used because on lack of high but not sufficient used because on lack of knowledge, of suitable laws or because in this knowledge, of suitable laws or because in this field are working persons not qualified for the field are working persons not qualified for the job they are doing.job they are doing.

The developing of the rural tourism and agro-The developing of the rural tourism and agro-tourism represents an important step in the tourism represents an important step in the promotion of our cultural and historical heritage promotion of our cultural and historical heritage to the world. to the world.