COOKING WITH THE COMMUNITY: PARTICIPATORY DOCUMENTATION OF ANTIQUE’S CULINARY HERITAGE

Abstract

Preserving culinary heritage is vital to sustaining cultural identity, yet traditional foodways face increasing pressures from globalization, modernization, and generational change. This study, through immersive fieldwork involving in-depth interviews, participant observation, and collaborative dialogues, documented the lived experiences of six culinary practitioners as they navigated preservation challenges. The methodology focused on co-creation, working with community gatekeepers to record not only recipes as living documents but also the stories, adaptations, and intergenerational knowledge embedded in their practices. Thematic analysis revealed three key findings: (1) the role of customary beliefs in shaping food preparation, (2) the dynamic transmission of recipes and cultural meaning across generations, and (3) the creative integration of technology to sustain traditions. Despite disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional cooks demonstrated resilience by blending oral tradition with digital tools and intergenerational teaching. Their reflections underscored that culinary heritage is not static but evolves through dialogue, adaptation, and shared memory. The study concludes that effective preservation requires participatory documentation, where locals are not merely subjects but co-authors of their heritage. Strategies such as community-led archiving, storytelling, and adaptive education programs emerged as vital for keeping culinary traditions alive.