PSU Trang studies local Chinese culinary wisdom to develop commercial processing techniques
Asst. Prof. Dr. Kritiya Duangmanee, a lecturer from Faculty of Commerce and Management, PSU Trang revealed that the Trang Campus has conducted research on local Trang cuisine. The project "Trang’s local Chinese culinary wisdom and the risk of cultural transmission in the community". The objective is to collect and study local Chinese culinary wisdom in Trang, aiming to develop commercial processing techniques. The project also analyzes the risks associated with preserving the identity of local Chinese cuisine. The research is supported by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), and collaboration is facilitated by experts in Chinese cuisine and local Chinese food entrepreneurs in the Trang province.
The research is linked to the saying that "Food is a gateway to learning stories, lifestyles, and traditions, as food is a subject that can be related to everything." Trang is known as the "City of Gastronomy" their population's ability to allocate resources and ingredients for various types of food. This is due to the consumption culture of Chinese immigrants in many ethnics who settled in the area in the past, including the Hokkien, Cantonese, Chaozhou, Hakka, and Hainanese. They brought cooking methods and recipes from their homeland, all of which are diverse, beneficial for health, appetizing, and have been adapted to suit the local context.
The research will enable the community in Trang to actively participate in transmitting local Chinese culinary wisdom. This will lead to a detailed understanding of the production system, creating a model within the community for sustainable knowledge and technology transfer. Additionally, the community is now aware of the importance of using risk analysis processes to preserve the identity of their local Chinese cuisine. The research results and innovations can be used by various organizations, such as educational institutions, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Industry.
Moreover, the research results have been implemented in three key initiatives which are;
1. U2T for BCG Phase 2 Project: "Product Development and Digital Technology System for Economic Empowerment at the Subdistrict in Trang" in five sub-districts, including Nataluang Sub-district, Natoeming sub-district, Bang Rak Sub-district, Ban Khuan Sub-district, and Nongtrud Sub-district.
2. U2T for BCG Phase 3 Project: "Broomstick for Wealth Project in Ban Khuan Sub-district, Trang" (broomsticks made from plastic bottles).
3. One Province, One Community (OPOAI-C) Project by Trang Provincial Industry Office, Ministry of Industry.: "Upgrading Farmers for Product and Prototype Packaging Development and Product Testing.