Gastronomy serves as a tool for preserving cultural memory

Cultural figures are utilizing gastronomy as a medium to preserve historical memory and identity. Writer Michelle Ruiz Valdés has released ‘Memoria Gustativa’, a collection of chronicles that explores the cuisine of Guerrero. The work uses family recipes and local flavors to document the history and sensory experiences of the region, treating food as a gateway to personal and collective memory.

In a similar vein, cultural researcher Raquel Barbosa has founded ‘La Culpa es del Coulant’. This project uses Afro-descendant gastronomy to reclaim the history of the African diaspora, promote food sovereignty, and strengthen cultural recognition. Barbosa’s work, which includes workshops and cultural activities in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris, highlights the role of women in food systems and the preservation of culinary traditions across Africa, Europe, and the Americas.