TRADITION AND INNOVATION – CULINARRY TOURISM

Ass. prof. Ph.D. Angela ALBU,

“Stefan cel Mare” University, Suceava, ROMANIA

Innovation in Nature Based Tourism Services

Culinary tourism as a form of Culinary tourism as a form of tourismtourism

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

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

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

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

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

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

classical tourismclassical tourismClassical tourismClassical tourism

Commune Commune (general) cuisine(general) cuisine

International International cuisinecuisine

Nature - based Nature - based tourismtourism

Local cuisineLocal cuisine Traditional cuisineTraditional cuisine Ecological food Ecological food

productsproducts

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

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

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

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

Some general aspects of the Romanian Some general aspects of the Romanian

tourismtourism

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

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

Romania still has every chances to Romania still has every chances to become an important destination for become an important destination for the tourists from all over the world:the tourists from all 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 A part of the cultural heritage of a nation nation is the variety of traditional is the variety of traditional foodfood, kept unchanged for generation , kept unchanged for generation to generation.to generation.

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

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

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

Culinary tourism in Culinary tourism in RomaniaRomania

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

Romania's cuisine was somewhat influenced Romania's cuisine was somewhat influenced by the other peoples that lived on its by the other peoples that lived on its territory such as the ethnic Hungarians and territory such as the ethnic Hungarians and Germans that are still living in the middle Germans that are still living in the middle and western parts of Romania. 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 influences are felt. But the oldest influence comes from the Dacian-Roman era. comes from the Dacian-Roman era.

The truth is that Romanians like to The truth is that Romanians like to eat, they eat a lot and well. They do eat, they eat a lot and well. They do not think of cholesterol or low fat not think of cholesterol or low fat diets while they are taking lunch or 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 A great number of proverbs and sayings have developed around the sayings have developed around the activity of eating: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 Ate well, drank well, in the morning woke up deadwoke 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 Weddings, baptisms, winter and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trout with cream Trout with cream saucesauce

Smoked trout in Smoked trout in fir-tree boxfir-tree box

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

forest berries (blueberries, raspberries, forest berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)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 Other Romania touristic regionsregions

The people living in The people living in TransylvaniaTransylvania, a , a province inside the arch of the Carpathian province inside the arch of the Carpathian Mountains like a citadel surrounded by its Mountains like a citadel surrounded by its walls, are real gourmets, though they are walls, are real gourmets, though they are quite moderate in their eating habits. 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 , he should think of the taste of a think of the taste of a piece of smoked piece of smoked lard or baconlard or bacon eaten with eaten with an onion and an onion and fresh bread from the ovenfresh bread from the oven, together with , together with a glass of strong prune brandya glass of strong prune brandy. .

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

The best fish is always the pork !

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

golden staggolden stag in Brasov, in Brasov, Remember medieval daysRemember medieval days – a week of – a week of

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tourists coming to this region, and Tourists coming to this region, and especially those who spend some time on the especially those who spend some time on the Black Sea coast, will long remember the Black Sea coast, will long remember the delicious tripe soup, noted for its nutritional delicious tripe soup, noted for its nutritional value as well as for the fact that it is said to 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 Turkish coffee has long been liked for long been liked for its flavor, and the its flavor, and the inhabitants of inhabitants of Dobrogea are good Dobrogea are good at making it, just as at making it, just as they make excellent they make excellent cakes with walnuts cakes with walnuts and syrup called and syrup called baclavabaclava and and sarailiesarailie..

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

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

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

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

ConclusionsConclusions The touristic potential of the Romania is The touristic potential of the Romania is

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

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

The culinary tourism came as a The culinary tourism came as a logical next step, because culture is logical next step, because culture is a way of living and the traditional a way of living and the traditional cuisine and dishes are part of our cuisine and dishes are part of our daily life. daily life.