Gov. Bob McDonnell is touting the virtues of Virginia wine on a trade mission in Asia. Virginia wines have been served at dinners with ministers and business executives, while wine events introduced restaurants, merchants and retailers to some of the products from its vineyards.

The first Indian cultural festival was opened during a ceremony at the Niavaran Cultural Artistic Complex on Tuesday. Indian films and Indian music are being performed during the event and participants will offer Indian food and Indian handicrafts to visitors during the festival...

People often get to know about another country's culture through its cuisine... During the Golden Week holiday, that's how nearly 50 people in Tokyo got to know more about the rich history of Estonia, learning how to make Estonian culinary delights.

The Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) must be lauded for popularising Malaysian food through its much-publicized Malaysian Kitchen Programme which has entered into its second year... The response to Malaysia's Kitchen Programme in the New York/New Jersey region has been quite positive...

Here's an idea raised by a friend: Apparently the Thai government/embassy used to (still does?) subsidize Thai restaurants in DC as a way to promote Thai culture--hence the proliferation of pun-laden Thai joints (Thaiphoon, Thaitanic, and so on).

Diplomacy took a backseat to head-to-head competition Tuesday night as chefs from 12 countries vied for the title of top embassy chef. The third Embassy Chef Challenge, sponsored by by Cultural Tourism DC at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, highlighted world cuisine ranging from Baba ghanoush from Iraq to Peruvian ceviche.

Public diplomacy works to communicate culture and values to foreign publics; gastrodiplomacy uses culinary delights to appeal to global appetites, and thus helps raise a nation's brand awareness and reputation.