Food is a source of pleasure, a factor of sharing, an instrument of communication... Investigating these dimensions, understanding the links and implications, is not only a fascinating exercise, but one that enables us to probe the depths of human nature

It is no coincidence that the word “culture”, of Latin origin, derives from the word "cultivate". Cultivating the earth to transform its products into food is one of the gestures that best represent the ability of man to act in a positive way on the environment, and change it. Agricultural production, the preparation of food and eating should never be considered only as fundamental activities for the survival of our species, because the symbolic and cultural values connected with it are multiple and equally important. Food is a source of pleasure, a factor of sharing, an instrument of communication, a religious choice, evidence of ideological believes or consequence of ethical choices, a sign of belonging, an experience of discovery. Investigating these dimensions, understanding the links and implications, is not only a fascinating exercise, but one that enables us to probe the depths of human nature, in order to understand its desires, aspirations and dreams.
Considering its typical food one of the distinctive features of different cultures and societies makes eating one of the nodes around which it is possible to develop the process of integration. At a time when globalization brings different cultures and traditions more and more into contact with each other, food becomes one of the paths to reciprocal knowledge of different peoples.