Peace Meal Kitchen is an exercise in gastrodiplomacy – fostering cultural exchange and increased understanding through food. As NPR wrote in 2014, while the concept is fairly new in terms of its place in cultural diplomacy as a whole, “the idea itself can be traced back to the ancient Romans, who often made peace with their enemies over a good meal.”

The UAE and India have enjoyed historic and cultural ties for over 350 years. As both nations share centuries-old ties of commerce, culture and kinship, the UAE has derived a number of cultural elements from India. Most significant was the food. If there's no Indian meal in the modern Emirati house - which rarely happens - there's Emirati food influenced from India. Chicken machboos, for example, is similar to the Indian chicken biryani, which is widely popular among Emiratis.

The Korean Culinary Arts & Science High School, Seoul South Korea led by Dr. Lee, Senior Lecturer and Jhang, Ethnic Korean Cuisine Chef along with 10 students had a food and cultural exchange programme with the students and faculty of Mount Mary Higher Secondary School & College (MMHSSC), Chumukedima, Nagaland on January 13. This was stated in a press note issued by the organiser. 

In Spain, for example, for every chime of the clock at midnight, people eat one grape. Each of the 12 grapes represents good luck for a month of the coming year, but only for those who can get them all in their mouths before the clock finishes striking. Here is a sampling of other traditions from around the globe that, like Spain’s grape-eating, have found their way to the United States.

Park Jae Yang, the director of the Korean Cultural Center, said that "the contest aims to promote cultural exchange between Egypt and South Korea through food, which has a growing role in bringing people together." He added: "Korean food, also known as hansik, has a very long tradition and history.It was well established by the Joson Dynasty in the 14th century."

“I think what’s interesting is that it helped contribute to US citizens thinking positively about the cuisines of China,” said Johanna Mendelson Forman, an adjunct professor and researcher of gastrodiplomacy at American University. “In recent years, Chinese regional foods and food waves have become a great interest in Chinese cultural diplomacy.”

Good food is the way to winning people’s heart. And Italians are masters at winning hearts with their globally popular cuisine so much so that the authorities in Italy believe food can also be a powerful tool for diplomacy. Organising an Italian Cuisine Week in around 120 countries including Doha simultaneously, the Italian authorities aim to lighten up people’s mood with good food.