Photos by Joseph Nebres
The culinary heritage of the province of Antique was highlighted in a public presentation of a doctoral dissertation by a candidate from the WVSU College of Education Graduate School, focusing on the tangible and intangible aspects of food traditions passed down through generations of local gatekeepers, forming the basis for the development of a culinary school management model.
Mary Rose Gemma S. Rodriguez, president of Advance Central College in San Jose, Antique, presented her dissertation titled “Unearthing the Culinary Heritage of Antique through the Local Gatekeepers: Basis for the Development of a Culinary School Management Model” on September 28, 2023, at the Center for Teaching Excellence. Her adviser is Dr. John Erwin Pedroso.
The qualitative research study exploring the intricate tapestry of Antique’s culinary heritage had the following themes: (1) Hands to Stomach: Antique’s Culinary Practices, (2) Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Antique’s Food Customs, (3) Vast Windows of Opportunities for Antique, and (4) Explicating Stories of Struggles.
To understand the social phenomena related to culinary heritage from the perspective of local gatekeepers, Rodriguez conducted in-depth interviews and observations with six participants chosen based on inclusion criteria representing various heritage dishes of Antique. Participants shared their experiences, memories, and perceptions associated with traditional food practices, recipes, and rituals.
Based on the findings of her dissertation, Rodriguez created a culinary school management model to provide a structured framework and systematic approach for efficiently and effectively managing all aspects of a culinary school’s operations.
In her abstract, Rodriguez wrote, “This study sheds light on the vital role of local gatekeepers and culinary heritage dishes in sustaining cultural diversity and fostering social cohesion. By recognizing and valuing the intangible aspects of food traditions, societies can embrace their collective past while fostering a more inclusive and culturally vibrant future for the next generation.”