Keywords: Gastronomy tourism, gastronomic identity, Greek Breakfast. I. THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF FOOD The concept of culture is broad and extremely difficult to define. The problem is due to the numerous dimensions of culture, both tangible and intangible, as it includes works of art, language, art and music, architecture, historical sites and monuments, festivals and cultural events, but also religion, gastronomy, clothing, etc. (UNESCO, 2003). The cultural heritage of a place does not only consist of the built environment, monuments, works of art, etc., but also includes the way of life of the inhabitants, the culture of everyday life, the staple foodstuffs, the wine and bread, the artisanal production technology, the traditional food and the local cuisine. All that also determines the particular cultural identity of each place (Moira et al, 2015). Food consumption satisfies the need for survival and therefore needs to be satisfied on a daily basis but it is also a pleasure (Tiger, 1993). Hunger, according to Maslow, is a basic biological need (Moira & Mylonopoulos, 2013) but it is also a deep social impulse. Apart from being a necessity, the preparation of food is a symbol of human nature, what distinguishes humans from other living beings, who consume raw food. Further, as eating is a social group activity, food becomes a symbol of sociability and our place in society (Kim et al, 2009: 424; Chang et al, 2010). People eat together and they share food. Mealtime is the time when all family, friends and relatives sit together at a common table, communicate and come closer. Mealtime is the time of exchange, of sharing, of giving, between parents and children, between grandchildren and grandparents, between friends and relatives, between visitors and guests. Food is a symbol of love, care and security (Moira et al, 2015). A common feature of the social function of the food is that it is a core activity and requires a special place and way of consumption, in almost all social events such as weddings, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries, meetings of friends, business meals, celebrations, etc. These activities take various forms such as a meeting for coffee or tea, a business or friendly lunch or dinner, a reception, a students’ reunion, the celebration of a success, etc. In all these cases, food is a powerful and effective tool for strengthening ties and nurturing and developing social relationships (Moira et al, 2015). Since Greek antiquity the institution of hospitality, which was protected by Zeus himself (Zeus Xenios), has meant the reception of the stranger and the 488 DIMITRIOS MYLONOPOULOS | POLYXENI MOIRA
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