Ljubljana - Slovenian ethnologist Janez Bogataj's new book sheds light on food as a means of conveying a nation's culture, heritage and interpersonal relations, focusing on the importance of gastronomic diplomacy, a topic often overlooked in Slovenia.

Hrana - Najstarejše Diplomatsko Orodje (Food - The Earliest Tool of Diplomacy) is a "fundamental peace of writing on gastrodiplomacy for Slovenia, comparable to those found in other EU countries and worldwide," according to the publisher, Hart.

"Just like it is with food, the way to diplomacy is through the stomach," editor Maja Jug Hartman said at the book launch on Thursday, adding that Slovenian gastronomy had great potential.

Bogataj feels the potential is not being fully realised. "Compared to Thailand, which has more than 11,000 restaurants abroad, Slovenia is far behind with its two or three," Bogataj said.

He feels it would make sense for the country to draw up a document with proposals on how these restaurants should look, their graphic design, menus and, above all, recommendations on which dishes they should serve.

The strategy on Slovenia's gastronomic diplomacy should also include guidelines for chefs, a plan to get more food providers focusing on "good" fast food, and plans to open Slovenian culinary clubs at home and abroad, Bogataj said.

He thinks Slovenia's gastronomic heritage should not be seen as dated and belonging to a museum, but should rather be modernised while remaining authentic.