Liaquat Ali
Islamabad and Jakarta mark decades of enduring diplomatic ties. A recent culinary showcase in Lahore offered a reminder that shared gastronomy remains one of the most effective tools for building people-to-people connections.
The Indonesian Embassy, working alongside the College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) and local culinary bodies, curated an immersive Padang dining experience highlighting the rich tapestry of Indonesian heritage. Complete with cultural performances by students from the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), the evening celebrated bilateral warmth and mutual appreciation.
Yet, while such high-profile showcases foster goodwill, cultural diplomacy often suffers from fleeting momentum. Culinary exchanges frequently remain confined to one-off diplomatic dinners in metropolitan elite circles, failing to translate into sustained, grassroots institutional partnerships or long-term culinary tourism frameworks that could genuinely benefit local hospitality sectors in both countries.
Moving past this limitation requires a shift in strategy:
Institutionalize Chef Exchanges: Establish formal apprenticeship and training programmes between COTHM and Indonesian culinary institutes to turn occasional dinners into continuous talent development.
Expand Beyond Metros: Take regional culinary festivals beyond Lahore and Islamabad into secondary cities to democratise cultural engagement and foster broader public awareness.
Leverage Tourism Synergy: Partner with trade bodies and the Chefs Association of Pakistan to integrate authentic Southeast Asian gastronomy into Pakistan’s emerging hospitality and tourism curriculum.
