User:ShoutingCloth/Multicultural Education

Food is an integral part of culture. Many dishes have a very deep and unique history behind them that is shaped by the culture of the area they were created in. "Through food we can better understand our histories, our cultures, and our shared future." Food provides a better overall understanding of a person's culture through many different aspects. This is understandable because "food is not only a symbol of cultural difference but is actively used to maintain identity." One aspect of which food communicates culture is religion. Halal food must be prepared in a very specific way for it to be safe for muslims to eat and the way this preparation is designed is entirely based on religion. From Nevana Stajcic: "What we consume, how we acquire it, who prepares it, who’s at the table, and who eats first is a form of communication". This communication of rich culture and the ambiance of eating a meal with people both aid in fostering a higher cultural understanding. Furthermore, ethnic restaurants can act as a vessel for social outings and a wealth of cultural information. They provide a space for people to conversate and provide food in a space that is typically full of cultural references to the ethnicity the food is from.