If tacos are your favorite food, you can now study them as part of a University of Kentucky course. The undergraduate class taught by Steven Alvarez is called 'Taco Literacy: Public Advocacy and Mexican Food in the US South.' The state has one of the highest Latino populations in the United States, so of all the places to study tacos, a University of Kentucky course isn't too farfetched.
The assistant professor at the college's department of Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies focuses on Mexican foodways in the Southern US. The coursework involves reviewing Mexican restaurants, learning about the cultural significance of Mexican cuisine and using food to build social connection. By the end of the course on tacos, students will have a multimedia food journalism portfolio and "be over the fajita stage of Mexican food."
Taco College Courses
There is a University of Kentucky Course on Tacos and Mexican Food in the US
Trend Themes
1. Food Education - The rise of food education courses, like 'Taco Literacy,' presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for universities looking to provide more unique and specialized courses.
2. Cultural Significance - Exploration of the cultural significance of food is becoming increasingly popular amongst students, creating an opportunity for restaurants and food producers to better market products based on their cultural roots.
3. Multimedia Portfolios - The incorporation of multimedia portfolios into food education courses, such as the one in the article, presents an opportunity for content creation and curation businesses or platforms that specialize in showcasing the diverse range of cultural cuisines and culinary skills.
Industry Implications
1. Higher Education - The increased interest in specialized food education courses presents universities and colleges with a unique opportunity to diversify their course offerings and attract a wider range of students.
2. Food Service and Hospitality - As more students learn about the cultural significance of different types of cuisine, food service and hospitality businesses could invest in incorporating unique and diverse culinary offerings to cater to this demand.
3. Media and Publishing - The creation of multimedia food journalism portfolios, like those in the 'Taco Literacy' course, presents an opportunity for media and publishing businesses to expand their platform and showcase different cultural cuisines to a wider audience.