The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy

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The Hawaiian Islands tried to remain independent of the Western powers after they were taken over by Captain Cook in 1788. King Kalakawa built a palace and he had a coronation dinner that cost really about 20% of the state budget. The overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy was kind of symbolic of a big debate going on in the late 19th century between these old monarchical hierarchy aristocratic cuisines took up by international diplomats.

Rachel Laudan, visiting scholar at the University of Texas and author of Cuisine and Empire, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the history of food. Topics covered include the importance of grain, the spread of various styles of cooking, why French cooking has elite status, and the reach of McDonald's. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the appeal of local food and other recent food passions.