(Kormann 2): Gustu - A Representation of Societal Advancement
(Kormann 2) asserts that Kamilla Seidler's kitchen in Gustu is a representation of societal advancement in addition to being a high-end restaurant for the wealthy. Meyer's expansive Food Company seeks to end poverty by teaching people to prepare in addition to focusing on profitability. In order to stop McDonaldization, he literally founded the melting pot foundation. He sought to raise people out of poverty by focusing on the grassroots instead of the wealthy. Meyer’s (entrepreneur and owner) determination to uplift people from poverty is further elaborated by the sacrifice to invest half a million dollars or a town that no investor could consider.
Ayoroa and the Culinary School Scholarships
Ayoroa, the first employee at Gustu, used her knowledge gained in Denmark to establish a culinary school that offered scholarships for students from low-income backgrounds. Later, Seidler (Meyer’s Chef) influenced the Embassy for Denmark to finance a 2-month training in Peru. Ultimately, the students were hired in the restaurant, which not only uplifted their livelihoods but also those of their families. However, the challenges of teaching and hiring students were flawed, which made Meyer come up with a two-tier strategy whereby he started an entry-level cooking school in which leading graduates would be worthy of scholarships to do in Gutsu. In fact, students would receive an official certification for a Bachelor’s program.
Impact on Local Wineries and Social Gatherings
Several years later, the local cuisine is flowering, and the inferiority complex in Bolivia is slowly disappearing. In fact, such milestones have attracted local wineries such as the high-end Vodka Company in El Alto. While many Bolivians cannot afford Gustu, it has attracted social gatherings such as weddings and similar social ceremonies.
Pilcher’s View
(Pilcher 222), argues that food colonialism has cultural as well economic implications. If the question on whether a ‘restaurant for the wealthy would assist the poor’ would be posed to Pilcher, he would partially concur and also disagree with Kormann due to a number of reasons.
Negative Impact of Global Brands
On a negative perspective, the article illustrates how the entry of global brands encouraged exploitation, prostitution, and other social upheavals. In his book, Pilcher (223) states that those who seek novel cuisines should acknowledge that they are exploiting migrant employees as well as tourism workers. Also, the entry of tourists also caused social dilemma especially with the way Mexico was associated with Alcohol and women. Tourists from the U.S. consumed Mexican food and drink, which led domination and exclusion of the natives. This hampered the social and economic relations between the countries.
Positive Impact of Restaurant Chains
Somehow, the entry of global brands only promoted the rich. On a positive note, restaurant chains offered domesticity to migrant workers because they were employed as cooks, nannies, and cleaners. Pilcher’s article explores the infrastructure in Mexico and how it was influenced by the foods and drinks consumed by the tourists constructing the country. Mexico’s native cooking and boutique tequilas offered a branch out away from the modern restaurant chains.
Transformation of Mexican Cuisine and Employment Opportunities
High-end restaurants set up in Mexico promoted the Sauza and Cuervo brand, which not only transformed the local communities but also improved the reputation of Mexico’s industry leaders (Pilcher 234). There was an increase in ethnic restaurants in the first and second half of the 20th century compared to lower-class associations between tamales and exotic sexuality. After the 1980s, culinary tourism provided business opportunities to ethnic communities in Mexico. Moreover, gentrification of Mexican recipes inspired a boom of tequila during the 20th century. More so, domesticating tequila and the tourism bang increased employment opportunities for peasants and the middle class.
Impact of Global Chains on Local Communities
Therefore, it can be concluded that companies with global chains incorporated into local cultures would not only reap significant profits but also impact on the local communities. For instance, migrant workers took the role of mowing lawns and acting as child care-givers (Pilcher 234).
Works Cited
Kormann, Carolyn. The Tasting Menu Initiative. April 4, 2016. Retrieved From: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/04/04/gustu-fine-dining-for-a-better-world
Pilcher, Jeffrey M. Jose Cuervo and the Gentrified Worm: Food, Drink and Tourist Consumption of Mexico. 2016
