on May 22, 2023
Education
Published on May 22, 2023– Updated on May 22, 2023
“A Dinner at the Castle”: Exploring European Culinary Culture through Education
The social sciences and humanities have long been interested in the cultural significance of food, and the field of food studies continues to evolve in fascinating ways. Among the latest innovations is “A Dinner at the Castle in Europe from Yesterday to Today,” a pedagogical and research initiative exploring culinary practices across European cultures.
Supported by the European Commission and lasting two years, the “Dinner at the Castle” project is part of the Vocational Education and Training Programme. It brings together four educational institutions: CY Cergy Paris Université and the Lycée des métiers Santos-Dumont in France, the Como vocational training centre in Italy, and the Jelgava secondary school of crafts in Latvia, to examine and celebrate European culinary heritage.
The project’s central question is how best to safeguard, transmit, and enhance this rich cultural legacy. The initiative aims to increase its beneficiaries’ international and cultural openness by providing a project-based pedagogy that allows about a hundred students to acquire professional skills and broader transversal competencies.
During each of the three mobility weeks, students can experiment with intercultural exchange and collaboration through culinary arts training courses. They engage in lessons and practical activities that explore historical and architectural heritage, gastronomy, protocol, menu organisation, and English language expression, all geared towards preparing “a dinner at the castle” — the project’s main activity.
To carry out the project, teachers in each country adopt an interdisciplinary approach and develop creative materials tailored to the needs of their students. These cross-cutting perspectives allow learners to question teaching practices, break down preconceptions, and actively participate in their learning.
Moreover, the project aims to raise awareness of contemporary culinary issues, such as the importance of localism and the use of seasonal products, as well as heritage issues through reconstructing a “dinner at the castle” in an earlier era. By doing so, learners can engage with the educational content and transmit the values of European citizenship.
The “Dinner at the Castle” project is not only a pedagogical initiative but also an object of interdisciplinary research. Its results were presented and discussed during a two-day symposium at CY Cergy Paris University on March 29th-30th, 2023.
Through “A Dinner at the Castle in Europe from Yesterday to Today,” learners and educators alike can engage in a rich cultural exchange that celebrates the diversity and richness of European culinary heritage. By promoting intercultural dialogue and fostering active learning, the project provides a powerful model for enhancing vocational education and broader social and cultural understanding.
The project’s central question is how best to safeguard, transmit, and enhance this rich cultural legacy. The initiative aims to increase its beneficiaries’ international and cultural openness by providing a project-based pedagogy that allows about a hundred students to acquire professional skills and broader transversal competencies.
During each of the three mobility weeks, students can experiment with intercultural exchange and collaboration through culinary arts training courses. They engage in lessons and practical activities that explore historical and architectural heritage, gastronomy, protocol, menu organisation, and English language expression, all geared towards preparing “a dinner at the castle” — the project’s main activity.
To carry out the project, teachers in each country adopt an interdisciplinary approach and develop creative materials tailored to the needs of their students. These cross-cutting perspectives allow learners to question teaching practices, break down preconceptions, and actively participate in their learning.
Moreover, the project aims to raise awareness of contemporary culinary issues, such as the importance of localism and the use of seasonal products, as well as heritage issues through reconstructing a “dinner at the castle” in an earlier era. By doing so, learners can engage with the educational content and transmit the values of European citizenship.
The “Dinner at the Castle” project is not only a pedagogical initiative but also an object of interdisciplinary research. Its results were presented and discussed during a two-day symposium at CY Cergy Paris University on March 29th-30th, 2023.
Through “A Dinner at the Castle in Europe from Yesterday to Today,” learners and educators alike can engage in a rich cultural exchange that celebrates the diversity and richness of European culinary heritage. By promoting intercultural dialogue and fostering active learning, the project provides a powerful model for enhancing vocational education and broader social and cultural understanding.