This document discusses the film Tortilla Soup as an example of "culinary tourism" that explores Mexican-American identity. It notes the importance of studying diverse groups and their struggles to maintain cultural history. While identity tourism and interpretive analysis can help understand influences, the film risks stereotyping. The conclusion questions how the film portrayed Mexican Americans and discusses blending identity with mainstream values.

1. Tortilla Soup as Culinary Tourism

2. Why Study
 Demographic – increase diversity
 Heterogeneous – differences
 Homogeneous – similarities
 Tortilla Soup
 Mexican-American family – favorable light

3. Why Study cont.
 Non-main group –Struggle to keep history
 NOT taught to masses
 Hidden histories – forgotten by mainstream
“I respect tradition”
“We honor dinner. We have good manners,
and we have pleasant conversation”
–Matin Naranjo

4. Tortilla Soup
 Identity tourism
 Recreational purposes
 Why?
 “feeds” urge to colonize

5. Approach
 Interpretive
 focus on influences
 Enthnography – analyze verbal and NV activities

6. Error
 NOT ideal
 Stereotyping trap
“Celebratory images of ethnic food traditions
obscure the social and political location of
race and ethnicity” (Lindenfeld 2007).

7. Reflection
 Based on the synopsis of the film:
 How have the writer’s errors affected the majority’s view
on Mexican Americans?
 How do you feel about the author’s quote:
“…can become model minorities if they blend their identities
with white US value system” (Lindenfeld 2007).

8. Reference
Lindenfeld, L. (2007). Visiting the Mexican American
Family: Tortilla Soup as Culinary Tourism.
Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, 4(3),
303-320. dio: 10.1080/14791420701459723