Food experiences have become more important in tourism as the ‘Experience Economy’ has developed.
Pine and Gilmore (1999) argue that the consumer no longer pays for the basic service, but for the complete experience.
In the case of food, people are willing to pay a premium for the added value offered by food experiences, which provide a gateway into local culture, creativity and landscapes. Tourist food experiences in particular are often contrasted with ‘everyday’ or basic eating, as people search for ‘authenticity’ and distinction in local food and gastronomy.