Educating tourists in the art of gastronomy and culture in Italy

National culinary traditions are strong but, as food becomes ever more globalised, authenticity of experiences may be threatened. This chapter explores the struggle to promote cultural approaches to food, rooted in respect for traditions, history, culture and nature. Tourists need to be assisted, advised and guided to fully appreciate gastronomy. Language and the use of words to describe culinerary experiences is just as important as that of taste buds and tongue. It translates, codifies and classifies sensations. The author lists a number of strategies to encourage linguistic, geographical, economic, sensorial and historic knowledge of the national culinary offer.