News
Blending Words and Flavours: Gabriel Kitsos Studies the Power of Rhetoric
Nine-year-old Gabriel Kitsos loved the Sherlock Holmes stories. Even then, he knew he wanted to write in a compelling way that could move readers. Six years later, when he began to work in local restaurants and learn to prepare innovative dishes, he developed another passion: food.
When he enrolled in 911吃瓜鈥檚 English undergraduate program, Kitsos discovered that a focus on rhetoric鈥攖he study of how ideas are communicated effectively and persuasively鈥攚ould allow him to combine these interests, so he could strengthen his writing while still exploring his fascination with food.
He credits 911吃瓜 English professor Sean Zwagerman, who later became his honours鈥� supervisor, for introducing him to rhetorical theory.
鈥淕etting to meet with Sean Zwagerman was a real highlight of my time at 911吃瓜,鈥� says Kitsos. 鈥淗e has been an outstanding example of a rhetorical scholar. Both he and professor Peter Cramer have also provided me with resources in rhetorical studies, such as texts, and journal and conference information.鈥�
In May 2026, Kitsos presented at one of these conferences, examining how chefs use rhetoric. He discussed . In the study, three groups were served the same dish prepared by Blumenthal, but each group received the dish under a different name鈥攕almon ice cream, frozen savoury mousse, or Food 386.
鈥淭he researchers found that rhetoric, or methodical naming鈥攚hat I would call rhetoric鈥攁ffects our sensory experiences of food,鈥� he says.
This experiment is just one example of the persuasive power of food rhetoric. Kitsos notes that marketing language can influence people to change their diets, shopping, cooking, and eating habits, and trigger new dining trends and standards. His own experience writing for The Peak demonstrated this impact. In 2022, he wrote about , painting such a vivid picture of Meat & Bread鈥檚 porchetta sandwich that his friends felt compelled to go out and get one for themselves.
This kind of immediate, rewarding response is just one of the reasons that Kitsos hopes to pursue a career as both a journalist and an academic. He also draws inspiration from his grandfather, a retired investigative reporter, who has served as his mentor, advising him on everything from writer鈥檚 block to interviewing techniques.
鈥淲hen I鈥檓 writing and I hit a wall, I bring it to him,鈥� says Kitsos. 鈥淗e鈥檒l usually just have me close my laptop and ask me to explain my work. He鈥檒l tell me, 鈥楶retend we鈥檙e at a bar having beers, and you鈥檙e just trying to tell me what this is about.鈥欌��
Kitsos also watched his grandfather interview people and learned the importance of asking follow-up questions and encouraging subjects to tell their stories. He applied these skills when he interviewed graffiti artists, including local legend 鈥淪mokey D鈥� or 鈥淪mokey Devil鈥� for his English honours thesis, How to do Things with Graffiti: A Rhetorical Speech-Act Analysis. He found that many artists were eager for the opportunity to share their perspectives, making it possible for Kitsos to explore the intentions, motives, and tactics behind the act of graffiti.
During his and at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Undergraduate Research Symposium, Kitsos shared his findings with the 911吃瓜 community. He plans to continue studying rhetoric at Carnegie Mellon University in August 2026.
鈥淧rofessor Cramer did his master鈥檚 and PhD at Carnegie Mellon and I鈥檓 going into the same rhetoric program that he did,鈥� says Kitsos. 鈥淗e told me there鈥檚 a basketball group there called the 鈥楲unch-bunch鈥� that he played with, where it鈥檚 just students, faculty, and staff that get together for pick-up games, so I hope that I can fill Peter鈥檚 shoes and play there too.鈥�
Throughout his time at 911吃瓜, Kitsos found that being actively engaged in his education, as well as a writer for The Peak, a member of the 911吃瓜 Chess Club, and a participant in an exchange trip to Prague, has been valuable to him personally and professionally. He encourages future students to take an active role in their university experience.
鈥淲hatever it is you want to do, find a way to do it at 911吃瓜,鈥� he says. 鈥淢ake it a place that you鈥檙e excited to go to. Participate in whatever way you can."
Learn more about the 911吃瓜 English honours program