食飨（英语：Gastronomy）是一门探讨文化与食物之间的关系的学问，是所有与人类饮食有关的理性知识，目的是借由精进饮食以及了解饮食，来保持身而为人的价值。食飨常被误解为专指烹饪的艺术（见烹饪艺术），但其只是美食学中的一个小分支；厨师不一定同时是食飨，而食飨也不一定会烹调。食飨的主轴是钻研各式各样文化的饮食。因此，食飨会涉及艺术、社会科学，甚至在人体的消化系统方面，也会与自然科学有关。

美食家的主要任务包括发现、品尝、体验、研究、理解及评论食物。美食学因而是一项多元的学问。好的观察能发现食物的周围，存在有舞蹈、戏剧艺术、绘画、雕塑、文学、建筑与音乐；换言之，即艺术。然而它同时也蕴含医学、数学、化学、生物学、地理学、农学，还有人类学、历史、哲学、心理学与社会学。而将科学知识运用于烹饪与美食中，则被称作分子料理。

Gastronomy is the study of the relationship between food and culture, art of preparing and serving rich or delicate and appetizing food, a style of cooking of particular region, and the science of good eating (Oxford Dictionaries). One who is well versed in gastronomy is called a gastronome, while a gastronomist is one who unites theory and practice in the study of gastronomy.[1] Gastronomy can be subdivided into four main areas, which are practical gastronomy, theoretical gastronomy, technical gastronomy, and food gastronomy (Harrison). Practical gastronomy is associated with the practice and study of the preparation, production, and service of the various foods and beverages, from countries around the world. Theoretical gastronomy supports practical gastronomy. It is related with a system and process approach, focused on recipes, cookery books. Food gastronomy is connected with food and beverages and their genesis. Technical gastronomy caries rigour and underpins practical gastronomy (Gillespie).