Feast your eyes on this: A gourmand explores the provocative culinary delights of seventeenth century Guatemala

Thomas Gage's The English American, His Travail by Sea and Land, or New Survey of the West Indias (1648) served British political interests in a territory long controlled by the Spanish Crown. Gage's text capitalizes on the intended reader's presumed inquisitiveness into Spanish colonial society and its subaltern populations to put food on display for this reader. As Thomas Gage positions himself as an adventurous eater and critic of seventeenth century New World food, he engages in what we may call today culinary tourism. While the layers of his privileged European position remain intact, Gage fashions himself as a sensible subject who nonetheless takes great pleasure in food. In all instances related to food, the Englishman displays his gourmand tendencies.