gastronomy
The practice, art, and science of choosing, cooking, and eating good food; the study of the relationship between food and culture.
It is not just about cooking recipes; it is an intellectual discipline that examines how history, science, sociology, and art intersect at the dining table.
Word relationships
- culinary art: Culinary art focuses primarily on the practical skills of cooking and presentation, while gastronomy includes the broader cultural, historical, and scientific study of food.
- epicurism: Epicurism is the personal pursuit of pleasure in food and drink, whereas gastronomy is the systematic study and practice of culinary culture.
Commonly confused with
- cooking: Cooking is the physical preparation of food using heat, while gastronomy is the intellectual and cultural appreciation of what is cooked and eaten.
Word family
- gastronomic (adjective): Relating to gastronomy or good eating.
- gastronome (noun): A lover of good food; a gourmet.
Collocations
- molecular gastronomy
- modern gastronomy
- culinary gastronomy
Example sentences
- "Gastronomy is the common tie that binds all civilized men." A classic 19th-century treatise on the art of dining.
- "The rise of molecular gastronomy has turned professional kitchens into high-tech laboratories." Discussing modern culinary trends.
Memory hook
Gastronomy is like 'astronomy' but for your 'gastro' (stomach) — instead of studying the stars, you are studying the culinary universe. The laws of the stomach and the art of the table.
When not to use
Do not use to describe the simple, physical act of eating to survive; it must involve cultural or artistic appreciation.
Fun facts
- UNESCO added the 'Gastronomic meal of the French' to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
Related words
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