Bite Yu Finga! This is a custom title

Innovating Belizean Cuisine

by Lyra H. Spang

Bite Yu Finga! takes culinary explorers far beyond the restrictive parameters of western European–derived fine dining. This engaging ethnography traces the path of national cuisine formation in the...

The Author

Lyra H. Spang is a sociocultural anthropologist fascinated by the intricacies of food studies, tourism and identity. She consults on Belizean cuisine, culinary tourism and other anthropological matters, and is chair of the Research Group on Gastropolitics, Food and Identity at the Open Anthropology Institute. She owns and operates Taste Belize Tours, a culinary and cultural tour company.

Bite Yu Finga! takes culinary explorers far beyond the restrictive parameters of western European–derived fine dining. This engaging ethnography traces the path of national cuisine formation in the young post-colonial country of Belize. With captivating anecdotes and solid data, Lyra Spang describes the important role of tourism in driving culinary innovation in Belize and the powerful influence of cultural politics on the process of deciding whose food is considered Belizean.

Spang champions gastronationalism as a patriotic imperative, calling for further research on culinary innovation and development in post-colonial nations. She challenges the Belizean tourism industry to embrace a creative, diverse and inclusive cuisine that fairly represents the country.