Multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) offers excellent separation efficiency that serves advanced characterisation of volatiles and semi-volatiles in food samples. An overview of recent data analysis, capabilities, and technologies in MDGC commencing from conventional heart-cut (MDGC), to its more recent comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) variant is included. Selected applications are emphasised that include improved untargeted and target compound identification, fingerprinting and group type analysis, applied to food. Benefits to improved compound identification in MDGC by employing different hyphenation approaches are also emphasised. We conclude by highlighting recent advances and future trends, including three- and higher-dimensional GC with MS separation, on-line hyphenation with LC, and hybrid and multifunctional MDGC systems. •Improved compound identification by using MDGC is emphasised.•Applications include fingerprinting and group type analysis approaches.•Benefits of MDGC hyphenated with FID, O, FTIR and MS for aromas is described.•Recent advances including >3 dimensions of GC and MS separation are highlighted.