War and Peas: The Power Of Food To Unite Or Divide

Food is more than sustenance; it's a powerful tool for diplomacy, identity, and even conflict. In this episode of The Dark Side of Dining, host Kenny Mears sits down with acclaimed author, food scholar, and founding editor of Gastronomica, Darra Goldstein, to explore the profound social and political meaning embedded in our meals.Goldstein delves into the concept of a "companion"—a word rooted in the Latin cum pane, meaning "with bread"—and the ancient, unifying power of breaking bread with others, even a sworn enemy.Discover Goldstein's experiences with culinary diplomacy, including her work with the Council of Europe to promote diversity and tolerance through food. She shares both the triumphs of community-level unification and the challenges, such as:Israel and Palestine: The difficulty of bringing together communities with hardened political views, even over a shared table.The Cuisine Wars: The divisive nature of food identity through examples like the controversy over who "owns" hummus between Israel and Palestine, and the ongoing international lawsuit over the authenticity of döner kebab in Germany.Goldstein argues that globalization doesn't erase cultural identity; rather, cuisines evolve and adapt. She highlights how immigrant-led restaurants serve as vital cultural and economic gateways, connecting communities through exciting new flavors like kebab pizzas and widespread sushi in Italy.The conversation takes a darker turn as Goldstein asserts that most historical conflicts, from ancient times to the current Russia-Ukraine war (over Ukraine's fertile breadbasket), are fundamentally about access to food, resources, and arable land. Hunger, she suggests, remains a primary driver of global migration and subsequent political friction.What can an average eater do? Goldstein leaves us with advice on how to use food to positive ends: be open to the foods of others, be welcoming to sharing your table, and remember to share food with those in need, referencing the work of organizations like World Central Kitchen.Finally, hear about the ancient Georgian tradition of the Supra (feast) and the tamada (toastmaster), where formalized toasting, wine, and shared stories affirm community identity and celebrate "victory"—showing that gathering around the table is an enduring act of cultural and communal affirmation.Find out more about Darra and her work!Website: https://darragoldstein.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darra.goldstein/Follow The Dark Side of Dining:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarksideofdining?igsh=cGkwdXp1MWRuN2tpFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1G88ZywYK5/