The term “gastrocracy” refers to the appropriation of discourses and practices related to the sourcing, preparation, distribution, and consumption of food for political purposes. The intersections of gastronomy and governance, dating in Spain to the last quarter of the nineteenth century, have become highly visible over the past decade, when political debates around nationalism in its different forms have taken the guise of discussions about regional and local cuisines. Concomitant with the rise of the “slow food” movement and following UNESCO’s addition in 2011 of “Gastronomic Meal of the French” to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, public and private associations all around Spain have been established with the goal of achieving recognition by UNESCO for Spanish, Catalan, and other national cuisines. In 2016, Gastro Marca España—an association and a web portal—was launched to raise the profile of food in Spain’s national brand. Eliciting wide public participation, co-opted for political purposes, regarded as a factor of economic development on any scale, and integrated into every so-called banal nationalism, the production, distribution, and consumption of food are highly relevant for historical analysis. Seeking to encourage a broader discussion about Peninsular gastrocracies, this book brings together an interdisciplinary group of scholars from different sides of the Atlantic and the Pacific who have spearheaded research on gastronomy and governance in Spain.

With the world in a swoon over the gastronomic riches of Spain - from the brilliant array of its traditional tapa dishes to the daring preparations of its new generation of chefs -the timing couldn't be better for the arrival of this long-awaited cookbook. In THE CUISINES OF SPAIN, Teresa Barrenechea, one of the country's most talented culinary ambassadors, showcases her culinary heritage through over 250 recipes culled from her extensive repertoire, and from friends and fellow chefs across Spain. The famed rice dishes of Valencia, the brilliant mojos of the Canary Islands, the hearty stews and braised meats of the interior - all of the classics are here in peak form, as are many lesser-known but equally important and intriguing regional dishes. Steeped in the history of her country, Barrenechea weaves a captivating narrative of Spain's diverse peoples, landscapes, and ingredients, revealing how such forces gave rise to the food traditions that we celebrate today. Over 150 full-color photographs from Barcelona-based photojournalist Jeff Koehler and renowned food photographer Christopher Hirsheimer put Spain's culinary riches on brilliant display. With such a distinguished pairing of author and artists, THE CUISINES OF SPAIN is positioned to be one of the major cookbook releases of the year.