Indicators for the Recognition of an Ancestral Gastronomic Dish: A Delphi Approach

This study uses the Delphi method to identify and validate indicators to recognize ancestral gastronomic dishes. As defined by UNESCO, the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) includes practices and knowledge transmitted from generation to generation, adapting and generating a sense of identity and continuity. Food culture represents symbols of traditional societies and spheres where new identities and community meanings are created. The convergence of cultures has led to new dishes that fuse styles and ingredients. The lack of adequate procedures to identify and classify traditional dishes as ancestral has affected their protection and preservation. Based on the Delphi methodology, this study brings together experts in ancestral gastronomy to validate the thematic axes and indicators that distinguish an ancestral dish from a traditional one. Six key thematic axes were identified: history, ingredients, traditional cooking utensils and techniques, cultural and symbolic importance, intergenerational transmission, adaptability and persistence, and official recognition and preservation. Through two Delphi consultations, 9 experts in ancestral gastronomy evaluated and validated these axes and their corresponding indicators. The study concludes that these indicators are appropriate for evaluating and differentiating gastronomic dishes in the cultural context of Ecuador, filling a gap in the literature on the identification of ancestral dishes and providing a useful tool for their recognition and preservation.