Use of Local Gastronomic Products in Cittaslow City Restaurants the Case of Gökçeada: (Imroz)

Abstract

Gökçeada (Imbros) is a very popular tourism center today with the title of Cittaslow given to cities that have managed to maintain their existence in its original form, its unspoiled nature, rich historical past and the food and beverage culture it has managed to preserve until today. This study aims to identify and record the local gastronomic products that have a high potential for commercialization, branding and geographical indication registration in Gökçeada (Imbros), to create a "Regional Gastronomic Product Reference Source List" in this regard, and to determine the local products operating in Gökçeada. It is aimed to determine the level of presentation in Cittaslow themed restaurants. The research conducted within the scope of the study has the feature of qualitative research. Within the scope of the research, interviews were conducted with 29 restaurant business managers operating in Gökçeada in accordance with the Cittaslow philosophy. As a result of the study, 14 regional products of Gökçeada food and beverage culture with high commercialization, branding and geographical registration potential were determined. In addition, although the local gastronomic products served in the restaurants operating in Gökçeada (Imbros) are preferred by all the tourists coming to the island, their production and sales are not adequately supported, sufficient effort is not made to record these products scientifically, and the level of presentation in the restaurants is low.