1.
TRADITION AND INNOVATION – CULINARRY
TOURISM
Lupu Ilie Cristan
Profesor: Mihai Daniel Frumuselu
Universitatea De Stiinte
Agronomice Si Medicina
Veterniara Bucuresti

2. Culinary tourism as a form of tourismCulinary tourism as a form of tourism
 ““Culinary tourism" suggests the idea ofCulinary tourism" suggests the idea of
experiencing other cultures through food.experiencing other cultures through food.
 Culinary Tourism is about how to best developCulinary Tourism is about how to best develop
and market a new kind of visitor attraction -and market a new kind of visitor attraction -
unique and memorable food and drinkunique and memorable food and drink
experiences.experiences.

3.  Food and beverage are an equally - if not more -Food and beverage are an equally - if not more -
powerful tourism attractions like museums,powerful tourism attractions like museums,
sports and shopping.sports and shopping.
 Every traveler eats and drinksEvery traveler eats and drinks, so the owner, so the owner
of a hotel, restaurant, rural pension has to useof a hotel, restaurant, rural pension has to use
the fact in the best way it is possible for thethe fact in the best way it is possible for the
tourist and for himself.tourist and for himself.

4.  According to the Travel Industry Association ofAccording to the Travel Industry Association of
America and the Canadian TourismAmerica and the Canadian Tourism
Commission, tourists who are interested inCommission, tourists who are interested in
wine/cuisine also show an affinity for museums,wine/cuisine also show an affinity for museums,
theater, shopping, music, film festivals andtheater, shopping, music, film festivals and
outdoor recreation.outdoor recreation.

5. Nature – based tourism depends of the localNature – based tourism depends of the local
cuisine more than the classical tourismcuisine more than the classical tourism
Classical tourismClassical tourism
 Commune (general)Commune (general)
cuisinecuisine
 International cuisineInternational cuisine
Nature - based tourismNature - based tourism
 Local cuisineLocal cuisine
 Traditional cuisineTraditional cuisine
 Ecological food productsEcological food products

6.  For a manager which works in hospitalityFor a manager which works in hospitality
industry, culinary tourism is important becauseindustry, culinary tourism is important because
gets information and can improve:gets information and can improve:
 food and the culinary arts,food and the culinary arts,
 agriculture and economic development,agriculture and economic development,
 economic impacts of creating culinary tourismeconomic impacts of creating culinary tourism
destinations,destinations,
 wine and wineries,wine and wineries,
 arts and culture,arts and culture,
 history and anthropology,history and anthropology,
 locally produced food and drink.locally produced food and drink.

7.  Unlike other travel activities and attractions,Unlike other travel activities and attractions,
cuisine is available year-round, any time of daycuisine is available year-round, any time of day
and in any weather.and in any weather.
 If executed correctly, culinary tourism can put aIf executed correctly, culinary tourism can put a
restaurant / hotel / rural pension “on the map”restaurant / hotel / rural pension “on the map”
of the region.of the region.
 Culinary tourism is a major contributor to theCulinary tourism is a major contributor to the
tourism strategy of any destination.tourism strategy of any destination.

8. Some general aspects of the Romanian tourismSome general aspects of the Romanian tourism

9.  Few countries can offer the variety of attractionsFew countries can offer the variety of attractions
for tourists as Romania.for tourists as Romania.
 From beach holidays at the Black Sea Coast, toFrom beach holidays at the Black Sea Coast, to
viewing rare birds at the Danube Delta, to snowviewing rare birds at the Danube Delta, to snow
skiing or soaking in curative mineral waters inskiing or soaking in curative mineral waters in
mountainous Transylvania and Bucovina,mountainous Transylvania and Bucovina,
Romania's physical features offer a multitude ofRomania's physical features offer a multitude of
attractions for tourists.attractions for tourists.

10.  Romania still has every chances to become anRomania still has every chances to become an
important destination for the tourists from allimportant destination for the tourists from all
over the world:over the world:
 preserved medieval villages,preserved medieval villages,
 unique rural culture,unique rural culture,
 unique monasteriesunique monasteries
 untouched natureuntouched nature

11.  A part of the cultural heritage of a nationA part of the cultural heritage of a nation is theis the
variety of traditional foodvariety of traditional food, kept unchanged for, kept unchanged for
generation to generation.generation to generation.
 Romania has some traditional ways to prepareRomania has some traditional ways to prepare
food, characteristic for each region of thefood, characteristic for each region of the
country and the tourists who tried once acountry and the tourists who tried once a
traditional dish will come again to taste it.traditional dish will come again to taste it.

12.  Every historical regions of Romania have itsEvery historical regions of Romania have its
own specific in culture and customs, reflected inown specific in culture and customs, reflected in
the folk music, the architecture of the houses,the folk music, the architecture of the houses,
the traditional costumes and, of course, in localthe traditional costumes and, of course, in local
cuisine.cuisine.
 Traveling across Romania the tourist can meet aTraveling across Romania the tourist can meet a
mix from old and new elements which representmix from old and new elements which represent
the charm of the country.the charm of the country.

13. Culinary tourism in RomaniaCulinary tourism in Romania
 Romanian cuisine is diverse, blending the dishes ofRomanian cuisine is diverse, blending the dishes of
several traditions which it came into contact with,several traditions which it came into contact with,
as well as maintaining its own character.as well as maintaining its own character.
 Romania's cuisine was somewhat influenced by theRomania's cuisine was somewhat influenced by the
other peoples that lived on its territory such as theother peoples that lived on its territory such as the
ethnic Hungarians and Germans that are still livingethnic Hungarians and Germans that are still living
in the middle and western parts of Romania.in the middle and western parts of Romania.
 Also, some Greek, Slavic, Turkish and FrenchAlso, some Greek, Slavic, Turkish and French
influences are felt. But the oldest influence comesinfluences are felt. But the oldest influence comes
from the Dacian-Roman era.from the Dacian-Roman era.

14.  The truth is that Romanians like to eat, they eatThe truth is that Romanians like to eat, they eat
a lot and well. They do not think of cholesterola lot and well. They do not think of cholesterol
or low fat diets while they are taking lunch oror low fat diets while they are taking lunch or
dinner.dinner.
 An existential Romanian question is:An existential Romanian question is:
We eat to live, or live to eat?We eat to live, or live to eat?

15.  A great number of proverbs and sayings haveA great number of proverbs and sayings have
developed around the activity of eating:developed around the activity of eating:
The innocent child's thank you:The innocent child's thank you:
Thank you for the mealThank you for the meal
it was good and tastyit was good and tasty
and the cook was fatand the cook was fat

16.  Some simple saying:Some simple saying:
Love passes through the stomachLove passes through the stomach
Appetite comes while eatingAppetite comes while eating
Hunger is the best cookHunger is the best cook
 The sarcastic proverb:The sarcastic proverb:
Ate well, drank well, in the morning woke up deadAte well, drank well, in the morning woke up dead
 Half true, half joke:Half true, half joke:
The best fish is always the porkThe best fish is always the pork

17. The region of Moldavia with itsThe region of Moldavia with its
northern part – Bucovinanorthern part – Bucovina
 Moldavian cuisine is said to be theMoldavian cuisine is said to be the
most refined of all.most refined of all.
 The cakes made in this part of theThe cakes made in this part of the
country are so many and diverse onecountry are so many and diverse one
loses count.loses count.
 Weddings, baptisms, winter and spring holidaysWeddings, baptisms, winter and spring holidays
and even funerals are as many occasions forand even funerals are as many occasions for
each Moldavian woman to show off her culinaryeach Moldavian woman to show off her culinary
art.art.

18.  During the last 10 – 12 years Moldavia becomesDuring the last 10 – 12 years Moldavia becomes
the region with the biggest number of ruralthe region with the biggest number of rural
pensions and motels where cultural andpensions and motels where cultural and
historical tourism is mixing in a perfect way withhistorical tourism is mixing in a perfect way with
culinary tourism.culinary tourism.

19.  Polenta is alwaysPolenta is always
accompaning Moldavianaccompaning Moldavian
sarmalesarmale (meat rolls in(meat rolls in
cabbage leaves), a famouscabbage leaves), a famous
dish served in Romaniandish served in Romanian
restaurants around the world.restaurants around the world.
These meatballs rolled inThese meatballs rolled in
cabbage or vine leaves arecabbage or vine leaves are
made from minced pork,made from minced pork,
beef or both types of meat,beef or both types of meat,
mixed with rice, salt, pepper,mixed with rice, salt, pepper,
chopped dill and parsley aschopped dill and parsley as
well as chopped onion; smallwell as chopped onion; small
portions of this mixture areportions of this mixture are
then rolled in sauerkraut orthen rolled in sauerkraut or
vine leaves and boiled.vine leaves and boiled.

20.  Moldavian wines haveMoldavian wines have
been known for fivebeen known for five
centuries. There arecenturies. There are
vineyards that can bevineyards that can be
visited because here thevisited because here the
tourist can taste winestourist can taste wines
awarded with prizes atawarded with prizes at
international wineinternational wine
competitions.competitions.
 Every year during autumnEvery year during autumn
the restaurants organizethe restaurants organize
days for tastingdays for tasting mustmust the‑ the‑
fermented grape juice, newfermented grape juice, new
wine offered with smoke-wine offered with smoke-
dried salt sheep meat.dried salt sheep meat.

21.  The slaughtering of the pigThe slaughtering of the pig
in winter is followed byin winter is followed by
cooking ritual, directed bycooking ritual, directed by
the housewife who cooksthe housewife who cooks
scores of dishes:scores of dishes: racituriracituri
(meat jelly made with pig’s(meat jelly made with pig’s
trotters), sausages andtrotters), sausages and
others.others.
 The rural tourism use a lotThe rural tourism use a lot
this custom offering to thethis custom offering to the
tourist the whole ritualtourist the whole ritual
with a rich dinner at thewith a rich dinner at the
end consisting of all theend consisting of all the
particular dishes cookedparticular dishes cooked
from the pork meat.from the pork meat.

22.  A cradle of old civilisation, where history blends withA cradle of old civilisation, where history blends with
legend,legend, BucovinaBucovina is known for its famous paintedis known for its famous painted
monasteries - UNESCO patrimony: Moldovita,monasteries - UNESCO patrimony: Moldovita,
Sucevita, Voronet, Humor. As to the architectonic andSucevita, Voronet, Humor. As to the architectonic and
historical aspects, the monasteries of Putna andhistorical aspects, the monasteries of Putna and
Dragomirna are not of less importance.Dragomirna are not of less importance.
 The popular architecture is really unique. The verandas,The popular architecture is really unique. The verandas,
doors and window - frames, wells and gates are realdoors and window - frames, wells and gates are real
wooden embroideries.wooden embroideries.

23.  The homespun, theThe homespun, the
embroideries, theembroideries, the
decoration of Easter eggsdecoration of Easter eggs
with geometricalwith geometrical
miniatures, theminiatures, the
manufacturing ofmanufacturing of
traditional costumes, aretraditional costumes, are
also important part ofalso important part of
Bucovine's treasury.Bucovine's treasury.

24.  For example, theFor example, the Trout festivalTrout festival in Ciocanesti (Suceavain Ciocanesti (Suceava
County) which consists in a trout fishing competition,County) which consists in a trout fishing competition,
an exhibition with dishes on trout basis, a parade ofan exhibition with dishes on trout basis, a parade of
riders with traditional costumes and, in the evening, ariders with traditional costumes and, in the evening, a
rich diner with folk music and dances.rich diner with folk music and dances.
 It is important to underline that in Ciocanesti, too isIt is important to underline that in Ciocanesti, too is
organized another festival before Easter –organized another festival before Easter – The PaintedThe Painted
Eggs FestivalEggs Festival with a cultural aim to promote the oldwith a cultural aim to promote the old
art of painting the eggs. So, in the same village theart of painting the eggs. So, in the same village the
cultural tourism is interweaving with the culinary one.cultural tourism is interweaving with the culinary one.

25.  Trout with cream sauceTrout with cream sauce
 Smoked trout in fir-treeSmoked trout in fir-tree
boxbox

26.  Dishes made from mushroomsDishes made from mushrooms
 Sweets and strong liqueurs made from forestSweets and strong liqueurs made from forest
berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
Preparation for AFINATA:
- mix the blueberries with the sugar
(make sure you don’t eat them all in
the process)
- leave for a few weeks
- mix with the alcohol
- leave for a few more weeks
- ENJOI !

27. Other Romania touristic regionsOther Romania touristic regions
 The people living inThe people living in TransylvaniaTransylvania, a province inside, a province inside
the arch of the Carpathian Mountains like a citadelthe arch of the Carpathian Mountains like a citadel
surrounded by its walls, are real gourmets, though theysurrounded by its walls, are real gourmets, though they
are quite moderate in their eating habits.are quite moderate in their eating habits.
 For a foreigner to realizeFor a foreigner to realize what the typicalwhat the typical
Transylvanian likes to eatTransylvanian likes to eat, he should think of the, he should think of the
taste of ataste of a piece of smoked lard or baconpiece of smoked lard or bacon eaten witheaten with
an onion and fresh bread from the ovenan onion and fresh bread from the oven, together, together
withwith a glass of strong prune brandya glass of strong prune brandy..
 Such food would do good even to someoneSuch food would do good even to someone
exploring the North Pole.exploring the North Pole.

28. The best fish is always the pork !

29.  The Transilvania region is reach in cultural andThe Transilvania region is reach in cultural and
historical places where the visitor can spent his freehistorical places where the visitor can spent his free
time. Medieval towns like Cluj, Sibiu, Brasov, Targutime. Medieval towns like Cluj, Sibiu, Brasov, Targu
Mures, Sighisoara and others are famous for differentMures, Sighisoara and others are famous for different
cultural events:cultural events:
 International jazz festivalInternational jazz festival in Sibiu,in Sibiu,
 International festival for pop musicInternational festival for pop music The golden stagThe golden stag inin
Brasov,Brasov,
 Remember medieval daysRemember medieval days – a week of medieval music,– a week of medieval music,
parades with old costumes and picnics with old and newparades with old costumes and picnics with old and new
dishes organized in Sighisoara are only a few sports for andishes organized in Sighisoara are only a few sports for an
European tourist.European tourist.

30.  The province ofThe province of OlteniaOltenia is laid in the south ofis laid in the south of
Romania.Romania.
 The usually simple Oltenian cuisine is alwaysThe usually simple Oltenian cuisine is always
lavishly seasoned with horse radish, pepper, andlavishly seasoned with horse radish, pepper, and
chilli pepper. Oltenian sausages are famous.chilli pepper. Oltenian sausages are famous.

31.  It worth to visit Oltenia, mainly because there, inIt worth to visit Oltenia, mainly because there, in
Targu Jiu town there are some masterpieces ofTargu Jiu town there are some masterpieces of
our famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi.our famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi.
 The mountain part of Oltenia has wonderfulThe mountain part of Oltenia has wonderful
landscapes and some orthodox monasteries,landscapes and some orthodox monasteries,
places of peace and reflection.places of peace and reflection.

32.  DobrogeaDobrogea is the region stretching between the Danubeis the region stretching between the Danube
and the Black Sea, where the gourmet is tempted by aand the Black Sea, where the gourmet is tempted by a
lot of flavors and tastes belonging to the Romanianlot of flavors and tastes belonging to the Romanian
cuisine with Greek, Turkish, Tartar and Bulgariancuisine with Greek, Turkish, Tartar and Bulgarian
influences.influences.
 Tourists coming to this region, and especially thoseTourists coming to this region, and especially those
who spend some time on the Black Sea coast, will longwho spend some time on the Black Sea coast, will long
remember the delicious tripe soup, noted for itsremember the delicious tripe soup, noted for its
nutritional value as well as for the fact that it is said tonutritional value as well as for the fact that it is said to
be a remedy after bacchic excesses.be a remedy after bacchic excesses.

33.  Turkish coffee has longTurkish coffee has long
been liked for its flavor,been liked for its flavor,
and the inhabitants ofand the inhabitants of
Dobrogea are good atDobrogea are good at
making it, just as theymaking it, just as they
make excellent cakesmake excellent cakes
with walnuts and syrupwith walnuts and syrup
calledcalled baclavabaclava andand
sarailiesarailie..

34.  From cultural point of view Dobrogea is theFrom cultural point of view Dobrogea is the
cradle of our people Christianity; it still remainscradle of our people Christianity; it still remains
from Greek and Roman periods historical andfrom Greek and Roman periods historical and
art monuments, the cage where leaved St.art monuments, the cage where leaved St.
Andrew, the ruins of the first orthodox churchAndrew, the ruins of the first orthodox church
and others.and others.

35.  TheThe Danube DeltaDanube Delta is a heaven of birds and fish. It isis a heaven of birds and fish. It is
famous not only for its beauty, which is unique infamous not only for its beauty, which is unique in
Europe and in the world, but also for the fish dishesEurope and in the world, but also for the fish dishes
prepared here.prepared here.
 The traveler will undoubtedly remember theThe traveler will undoubtedly remember the
extraordinary taste of the celebrated fisherman’s soup,extraordinary taste of the celebrated fisherman’s soup,
no match of which can be prepared elsewhere.no match of which can be prepared elsewhere.

36.  In the last 10 – 12 years the tourism hasIn the last 10 – 12 years the tourism has
developed in the Danube Delta, especially sportdeveloped in the Danube Delta, especially sport
fishing tourism and culinary tourism, step byfishing tourism and culinary tourism, step by
step these activities becoming an importantstep these activities becoming an important
source of income for the local population.source of income for the local population.

37. ConclusionsConclusions
 The touristic potential of the Romania is veryThe touristic potential of the Romania is very
high but not sufficient used because on lack ofhigh but not sufficient used because on lack of
knowledge, of suitable laws or because in thisknowledge, of suitable laws or because in this
field are working persons not qualified for thefield are working persons not qualified for the
job they are doing.job they are doing.
 The developing of the rural tourism and agro-The developing of the rural tourism and agro-
tourism represents an important step in thetourism represents an important step in the
promotion of our cultural and historical heritagepromotion of our cultural and historical heritage
to the world.to the world.