What's on the Menu? Project - Research World Cuisines - Create a Restaurant Menu

What’s on the Menu? is one of my favorite ways of introducing my students to different cultures around the world and begin thinking critically about how people interact with their environments and vice versa. What better way to do so than with food?

Here is what is expected of students in this assignment:

Through an intensive, research-based study, students will learn about cultural similarities and differences around the world, particularly the foods people eat. The final project may provide a unique and fascinating study of the geography, history, economic, religious, and cultural factors that influence cuisine around the world.

This assignment works best when tied to a map study or long-range unit of study that allows students to see how people influence their environments and how their environments influence them.

The project should require students to provide thoughtful answers to questions about how, why, and where culinary interests develop.

This packet contains the following:
•A universal menu template that students can use to research ANY country’s cuisine. It is color-heavy, and if your school or classroom budget does not allow printing of heavy images, I have provided an alternative that will require less ink and copier toner.
•The aforementioned printer-friendly menu template for any international menu. I have also included several individualized menus for the following nations: Brazil, France, Greece, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, and Thailand.
•Three lesson extension ideas.
•A rubric you may consider using to evaluate the project.