Vegan cuisine/ kitchen in the context of food and identity

This study reveals that food functions not only as a basic element of consumption in the tourism sector but also as a powerful tool in the construction of individual and collective identities. With the rise of global awareness, food has increasingly become a reflection of cultural values, social affiliations, and ethical-political choices. In this context, vegan cuisine emerges not merely as a dietary practice, but as an expression of environmental sustainability, animal liberation, and ethical-political stances in everyday life. Veganism plays a central role in how individuals construct, articulate, and renegotiate their identities and social positions. This research was conducted with individuals who have followed a vegan lifestyle for at least five years. Using a snowball sampling method, in-depth interviews were carried out with 21 participants, and participant observation was conducted in the homes of three individuals. Additionally, various vegan events were attended for both direct and participant observation. The findings indicate that ethical and political motivations are key to the identity construction processes of vegan individuals, and that this identity is reinforced through social relationships and collective practices. Veganism is not merely a matter of personal dietary choice, but rather a redefinition of one's relationship with the world—emerging as a space of cultural and political belonging. In this regard, the study offers a strategic perspective on how vegan identity may be integrated into sustainable tourism policies and opens new avenues for discussion within the sociology of tourism.