For thousands of years - man has used food to identify himself and his "home region". It is a social identity tool as much as a pleasure, or sustenance.
Even in a microcosm of a country - inner city neighborhoods develop "styles" of pizzas, cheese steaks, hamburgers and sandwiches - and those become identifiers of where you are - or where the cook is from.
We enjoy food for it's ability to satisfy a biologic need for fuel, and for it's ability to being strangers - or even enemies together for a common need. It also can comfort us. That "comfort" usually comes from a memory of tastes, aromas and the emotional attachments we have formed with the dish that perhaps - "Momma used to make"....OR "like I used to get back home"....
How many other things in your life can engage ALL 5 senses....and memories?
There are aspects of food that we don't often think about or talk about - but real nonetheless.