Equilibres et paradoxes de la gastronomie: la commensalité

This article examines Jean-Jacques Boutaud’s perspective on commensality as a central aspect of gastronomy and cultural communication. It highlights how shared meals represent more than a biological necessity, becoming a ritual that fosters social connections and identity negotiation. The text discusses the symbolic significance of food, suggesting that gastronomy serves as a cultural lens, bridging individual taste with collective memory and ecological awareness. Boutaud’s analysis explores the interplay between respect for food, identity, and the symbolic exchange of values within commensal practices. The article also emphasizes the transformative potential of gastronomy to reconcile hedonistic pleasure with cultural and ecological responsibilities.