Gastrodiplomacy as a new field in public diplomacy and a novel model for Turkey

Relations between states are carried out through public diplomacy. In all processes, public diplomacy develops within the framework of cultural diplomacy. Gastrodiplomacy in cultural diplomacy has an important role in the development of a nation's image, thanks to the mutual construction of public and cultural diplomacy. The use of food as a cultural subject in the reflection of their cultural identities in the Ancient Hellenic and Roman Empires reflects the first traces of gastrodiplomacy. Gastrodiplomacy is a type of diplomacy that aims to use the power of food to ensure continuity in international relations. It is known that countries such as Ancient Greece and Rome in history have an impact on the practices in the field of gastrodiplomacy and the perceptions of the citizens of other countries. When the countries are examined, it is seen that many countries are involved in gastrodiplomacy practices. Different countries, from Japan to France, from the United States to Taiwan, tend to practice gastrodiplomacy. This study, which was carried out with the aim of making inquiries about the existence, effectiveness and efficiency of gastronomy as a diplomatic tool, and examining Turkey's activities in the field of gastrodiplomacy, is one of the studies that will be brought to the literature in the field of gastrodiplomacy, and it is capable of eliminating the deficiencies in this field. SWOT Analysis method was used in the research. Italy's historical past in the field of gastrodiplomacy and its effective gastrodiplomacy practices have made it a role model in this field. In addition, its close location to Turkey, being on the same latitudes as Turkey, and the fact that both countries are Mediterranean countries made it inevitable to compare Turkey's gastrodiplomacy practices with Italy's similar practices. In the study, gastrodiplomacy practices carried out by Turkey and Italy were compared with SWOT analysis. The information obtained in the evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses and opportunities and threats by the SWOT analysis method for the gastrodiplomacy practices of both countries are listed under the relevant headings, respectively. It is thought that examining the gastrodiplomacy models applied in other countries, different from the existing literature, evaluating Italy's effectiveness in this field and evaluating Turkey's current activities can bring a different perspective to the literature and the parties. Keywords: Gastronomy, Gastrodiplomacy, Public Diplomacy