The effect of neophobia and neophilic tendencies of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department and Culinary Program students on their attitudes towards street foods

The trends for food neophobia and food neophilia can affect people's attitudes towards new foods. In this context, different regional street tastes they have never consumed before can also be an unusual food experience for people. Street foods, which are foods and beverages offered in public areas, reflecting the culinary culture of countries with a rich and different product range, may differ from region to region and even according to the distinct geographical location and seasonal characteristics of the same territory. This study reveals the effects of food neophobia and food neophilia tendencies of gastronomy and culinary arts students on their attitudes towards street foods. A quantitative approach was adopted in the research. The research data were obtained from the gastronomy and culinary arts students studying at the universities in the Phrygian region between 5 May-15 July by questionnaire technique. The study concluded that food neophobia and food neophilia trends were linearly and positively related to the attitudes towards street foods. However, significant differences were found in students' neophobia and neophilia tendencies and their attitudes towards street foods according to demographic characteristics. In addition, it was determined that the students continued to consume street foods even though they did not find them hygienic. On the other hand, the study revealed that the students had a neophilia tendency, and the most consumed street foods were doner kebab, Turkish bagel, and ice cream.