Portuguese Food in Toronto: Exploring the Relationship between Food Practices and Ethnic Identification

This project explores the relationship between food and ethnic identity: that is, the role of food in the process of defining an ethnic identity. It focuses on Portuguese immigrants residing in Toronto as both the 'community' and the study site. A cross-generational inquiry into the food practices of Portuguese immigrants is performed. Furthermore, the position of food establishments within this context is explored. There is one question that best sums up the focus of this research: what is the role of food in maintaining Portuguese ethnic identity in Toronto? In the end, this study encourages the critical evaluation of food practices and builds on the argument that ethnicity is made tangible through everyday practices. This study recognizes that ethnic groups' food practices are not uniform or homogeneous; hence, a number of different social differences come to light throughout. Food practices are not only important indicators of difference between groups, but also within groups. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)