Nationalist right-wing movements globally use food and culinary traditions to build identity and divide “us” from “them.”
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Nationalist-populist factions across Europe are increasingly employing gastronomy as a political tool to define an “us versus them” narrative, often linking food consumption with national identity and tradition. This phenomenon, termed gastronomic nationalism, is evident among figures like Tomio Okamura, who mimics Matteo Salvini’s public image by frequently showcasing traditional local cuisine. The practice extends beyond simple image building; it involves political mobilization against perceived outsiders or global influences. Examples include anti-immigrant campaigns focusing on the consumption of pork in Greece and France, as well as efforts to assert culinary sovereignty in Italy under Giorgia Meloni, which challenges globalization and Brussels’ influence. While some disputes over food origins are minor border squabbles, nationalist politicians often escalate these issues into major political battles, despite historical evidence suggesting that national cuisines have always been interconnected and evolving across geographical boundaries.
