According to Marriam-Webster.com, globalization is the act or process of globalizing : the state of being globalized; especially : the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets. Anthony (1990: 64) has described globalization as ‘the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa’. This involves a change in the way we understand geography and experience local-ness. As well as offering opportunity it brings with considerable risks linked, for example, to technological change.
Whether we realize it or not globalization occurs all of the time in our day-to-day cooking. For example, The first american refrigerator was offered for sale in 1913. In 1915 Alfred Meadows designed a new version of it and in 1916 The Guardian Frigerator Company was organized to manufacture his refrigerator. General Motors saw their potential and bought the company in 1918 and renamed the company Frigidare. Mass production techniques were applied and numerous sales offices were opened. Now Frigidare is an international company, selling its products worldwide… How neat! This same technique can be applied for all cooking appliances, utensils, storage space, etc.
Globalization has not only affected the products we use to cook our food it has affected the food itself. Thanks to free trade we are now able to stock our shelves with foods from other countries. Just the other day I was out grocery shopping and my recipe called for a certain spice from Mexico. Luckily my local grocery store has an entire isle full of foods, spices, etc. from Mexico. I was in luck and it was with a little searching I found the spice.
With vast improvements in technology we are able to get recipes internationally. Pinterest is one of my favorite sites and I often frequent it for new recipes and clothing. When I was “pinning” the yesterday my eye was drawn to this delicious looking recipe. Come to find out it was pinned from a lady in Europe.. how neat! I can’t wait to try it and see if it turns out as good as it looks.
Globalization has affected cooking in so many different ways, what are you thankful for the most?
kaylascooking 