Exploring Local Wisdom-Based Culinary Education Strategies for Minahasa Students at the Department of Family Welfare Education to Enhance the Competitiveness of Minahasa Culinary Products

Abstract

This study explores a local wisdom-based culinary education strategy for students in the Department of Family Welfare Education at Universitas Negeri Manado, with the aim of supporting the competitiveness of Minahasa culinary products. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach using in-depth interviews, practical-class observations, and document analysis. Data were analyzed through data reduction and display, identification of internal and external factors, SWOT analysis, and formulation of SO, WO, ST, and WT strategies. The findings indicate that culinary education is supported by substantial strengths, including the richness of Minahasa cuisine, the availability of local ingredients, traditional culinary knowledge, students’ practical experience, lecturer competence, the presence of a culinary education institution, and opportunities for product innovation. Key weaknesses include the unsystematic integration of local cuisine into course learning plans, limited documentation, product innovation, practical facilities, market-analysis experience, industry linkages, branding, and product standardization. Opportunities include the growth of gastronomic tourism, increasing interest in local products, the creative economy, industry collaboration, and digital marketing. Threats include product homogenization, competition from modern foods, changing consumer preferences, declining traditional knowledge, limited standardization, ingredient-price fluctuations, restricted market access, and cultural commercialization without authenticity. Based on the SWOT synthesis, the study proposes a Local Culinary Heritage-Based Project Learning model comprising six stages: Explore, Document, Reproduce, Innovate, Validate, and Commercialize. The IFAS–EFAS matrices are presented as analytical designs because the weights and ratings available in the research report remain simulated and have not undergone empirical validation.