Chefs have mastered the art of indulging in exceptional meals while on the road, thanks to their refined palates and deep appreciation for culinary creativity. In this article, we delve into the world of traveling while cooking and eating well, gathering insights and tips from six renowned chefs who share their strategies for making every meal a memorable dining experience.

1. “Just Penang it”

Jonathon Sawyer, a James Beard Award-winning chef, offers a simple but powerful piece of advice: “Just Penang it.” This intriguing phrase encapsulates his approach to improving meals while traveling. Sawyer introduces us to Penang N.31, a captivating spice blend expertly crafted by master spice blender Lior Le Sercarz that combines chili, onion, turmeric, garlic, and more.

This versatile blend becomes a secret weapon for chefs on the go looking to elevate flavors. Penang N.31 becomes a culinary passport to unparalleled taste experiences, whether it’s enhancing a simple hard-boiled egg, transforming an average hotel chop salad, or enlivening a curry.

Sawyer’s inventive use of this spice blend exemplifies how a little imagination can open up a world of gastronomic delights even outside of the confines of a restaurant kitchen.

2. Embrace Your Leftovers

Chef Tyler Akin, the man behind Wilmington’s Hotel Du Pont’s restaurant, Le Cavalier, and Philadelphia’s Stock restaurants, advocates for a fresh take on leftovers. While it’s customary to leave restaurant leftovers alone, Akin encourages visitors to think of them as culinary canvases just waiting to be transformed.

He recommends a simple yet effective strategy: on the first day of travel, go to a local bakery and buy a variety of fresh rolls. As leftovers are reimagined into delectable sandwiches, these rolls serve as the foundation for a delightful culinary adventure. Akin seamlessly blends convenience and creativity by repurposing restaurant portions, ensuring that every meal becomes an opportunity to relish flavors in new ways.

3. Try a Salad Taste-Test

Beginning a meal with a refreshing salad is a common practice among health-conscious diners, and chef Sara Hauman, a competitor on “Top Chef,” takes this approach to a new level. Hauman introduces the concept of a “Salad Taste-Test,” which uses salads as a litmus test to assess a restaurant’s culinary prowess.

Travelers can discern the restaurant’s commitment to freshness, quality, and attention to detail by ordering a salad as the first course. This practice not only establishes a healthy tone for the meal, but it also provides insight into the kitchen’s overall culinary philosophy. From the first bite, Hauman’s innovative approach encourages travelers to engage their senses and make informed dining choices.

4. The Art of Adaptation

Chefs’ ability to adapt and innovate is one of their most remarkable qualities, and it shines brightly when they find themselves in unfamiliar kitchens. Chef Jose Andres exemplifies the art of creating exceptional meals anywhere, thanks to his humanitarian efforts and culinary excellence.

Andres’ approach emphasizes the importance of embracing constraints and turning them into opportunities, whether it’s transforming humble ingredients into exquisite dishes or using minimal equipment to conjure culinary magic. This adaptability encourages travelers to view road cooking as an opportunity to try new techniques, experiment with limited resources, and celebrate the joys of culinary improvisation.

5. Cultivating Food Relationships

Massimo Bottura, the visionary behind the iconic Osteria Francescana, offers a fresh take on food exploration while traveling. Bottura encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the local culinary landscape by connecting with local producers and ingredients. Travelers gain a better understanding of a region’s culinary identity by developing relationships with farmers, artisans, and markets.

Bottura’s emphasis on local ingredients not only enhances the dining experience, but it also fosters a sense of cultural connection and sustainability. This approach empowers visitors to become active participants in a destination’s culinary narrative, supporting local communities and celebrating the essence of authentic flavors.

6. The Joy of Culinary Curiosity

Chef Niki Nakayama, known for her innovative approach to modern kaiseki cuisine, encourages visitors to embrace the spirit of culinary exploration. Nakayama’s philosophy revolves around the joy of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and experimenting with new ingredients and flavors.

Travel provides a unique opportunity to broaden one’s culinary horizons, and Nakayama advises people to seek out local specialties, street food, and regional delicacies. Travelers can embark on a gastronomic journey that transcends boundaries and unlocks a world of unexpected delights by approaching each meal with an open mind and a willingness to explore.

Conclusion

Chefs have perfected their abilities to cook and eat well on the road via their boundless ingenuity, versatility, and unwavering enthusiasm for culinary excellence. As these six chefs have demonstrated, every meal becomes an opportunity to taste the flavors of a region, develop connections with local foods, and create remarkable dining experiences.

By following their insightful advice and embracing a spirit of culinary discovery, travelers may turn their vacations into epicurean excursions, experiencing the complex tapestry of global cuisine one taste at a time. So, whether you’re in a bustling metropolis or a tranquil village, keep in mind that the pleasure of discovering new sensations awaits you at every turn, encouraging you to go on a wonderful sensory trip.

The post Cooking and Eating Well While Traveling: 6 Chefs Share Their Best Advice first appeared on Get Escaping.

Do Your Research and Ask Questions

Do some research about the company, the guide, and the itinerary before scheduling a food tour. Examine prior customer reviews, testimonials from local partners, and accreditations from respected organizations. You can also view the company’s mission, vision, and values on their website and social media outlets.

A good food tour operator should be committed to ethical and sustainable methods such as supporting local companies, honoring cultural diversity, and reducing environmental effect.

What questions should you ask if you decide to send a message? Inquire whether the tour’s owners and vendors are locals, and what their ethical methods are. This is also the moment to inquire about anything that is essential to you.

“Asking questions is critical, and you’ll find that many unethical companies don’t even take the time to respond or respond with evasive answers,” Vázquez Landeta added.

Avoid Reserving Through Huge Travel Websites

While sites like Expedia and TripAdvisor are great for booking flights and accommodations, they are not the best options for booking food trips.

According to Lost Plate’s Brian Bergy, “don’t book on third party sites like TripAdvisor where you can’t really see what the company is all about.” Bergy and his wife, a fluent Chinese speaker, organize cuisine excursions in Portland, China, and Cambodia. (Bergy’s wife and the Chinese tour guides who accompany them on all of their trips through China run Lost Palate.)

“They usually take 30 percent commission making it very difficult for companies to make a profit, pay good wages, and give you quality service,” Vázquez Landeta continued.

Find a Tour within Your Price Range

Using a website that aggregates and compares food tours from various operators, such as [TourRadar], is one way to find a food tour that works within your budget. You can filter the results by cost, length, rating, and availability. Additionally, you can read customer reviews and observe the itinerary and inclusions for each tour. For example, a [6-day food excursion tour] in Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra can be found for $489 per person, including lodging, transportation, meals, and activities.

Look for local culinary tour companies that provide authentic and reasonably priced experiences. You can browse online or ask friends or travel agents for recommendations. You can also view the mission, vision, and core values of local culinary tour companies by visiting their websites and social media pages.

A reputable local culinary tour operator should have a transparent and explicit commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. In Mumbai, for instance, a [three-hour street cuisine tour] costs $80 per person and includes a guide, snacks, drinks, and tips.

Creating your own food tour by researching the best places to eat in your destination is a third way to discover an affordable food tour. You can learn about the local cuisine and culture through online resources such as blogs, periodicals, podcasts, and videos. You can also use apps like Zomato, TripAdvisor, and Google Maps to locate nearby restaurants, cafes, street vendors, and markets.

Then, you can create your own itinerary and budget based on your preferences and availability. For instance, you can construct your own [food tour in Varanasi] by visiting various restaurants that serve a variety of delectable dishes.

Examine the Meeting Location and Schedule

When selecting a cuisine tour, it is critical to consider the meeting site and schedule. You want to discover a cuisine tour that is close to your place of lodging or transit hub. You could also look for a food tour that meets your trip schedule and availability.

A culinary tour’s meeting site is often the tour’s starting spot, where you will meet your guide and fellow visitors. It could be a historical site, a restaurant, a market, or a public space. Before the tour, double-check the exact address and directions to the meeting spot and plan how to get there on time. You should also consider the meeting location’s safety and accessibility, especially if you are going alone or have specific needs.

A food tour schedule typically includes the duration and timing of the tour, as well as the locations and activities included in the agenda. Depending on the style and extent of the tour, it can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Before booking, you should look at the culinary tour itinerary to determine whether it fits your interests and skills.

You should also check the culinary tour’s availability and booking policy, since some tours may only operate on certain days, times of the week, or years, or may demand pre booking or have limited spaces available.

Communicate With Your Tour Company and Guide

It is critical to communicate with your tour company and guide to guarantee a seamless and enjoyable culinary tour experience. You should notify them of any specific requests, dietary restrictions, allergies, or medical issues that may limit your participation in the tour before and during the tour.

You should also ask them any tour-related questions you have, such as what to wear, what to pack, and what to expect. You should pay close attention to your guide’s explanations and stories during the trip, ask questions if you are intrigued or puzzled, and provide feedback if you are satisfied or dissatisfied with any aspect of the tour. You can make the most of your culinary tour and learn more about the local cuisine and culture by communicating with your tour operator and guide.

By following these tips, you can find an ethical, authentic food tour that will enrich your travel experience and broaden your horizons. A good food tour will not only satisfy your taste buds but also educate you about the history and culture of a place through its gastronomy. A good food tour will also benefit the local community by creating jobs, generating income, preserving traditions, and promoting awareness. A good food tour will make you a better traveler and a global citizen.

The post How to Find an Ethical, Tour of Authentic Food first appeared on Get Escaping.

Colombian cuisine is a vibrant and diversified tapestry woven with influences from various cultures, geographic locations, and culinary traditions. From the beautiful Amazon rainforest to the bright Caribbean coast, each location of Colombia offers a one-of-a-kind eating experience that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also tells a tale about the country’s storied past.

We’ll take you on a gourmet adventure as we look at 10 typical Colombian meals that you really must try. These delicacies will show you what makes this country so appealing.

1. Paisa Bandeja

Bandeja Paisa is a typical Colombian dish with origins in the Andean area, notably in the Medellin region. It is a hearty and well-known dish that epitomizes Colombia’s appreciation of rich and full meals. Red beans, white rice, ground meat, chicharrón (crisp pork belly), fried egg, plantains, avocado, and arepa (cornbread) are among the ingredients in this filling meal.

Because of the variety of flavors and textures in Bandeja Paisa, it is a genuine sensory experience.

2. The Ajiaco

Because of its Andean roots, Ajiaco, a popular Colombian soup that originally originated in the Andes, highlights the country’s numerous culinary traditions. The combination of criolla, sabanera, and pastusa potatoes creates a tasty and fulfilling stock in this chicken soup, while the soup itself is made with chicken. Ajiaco is traditionally served with corn on the cob, capers, avocado, and sour cream.

It exemplifies how Colombian cuisine appreciates the abundance of ingredients available in the surrounding area.

3. Huevos Arepas

Arepa de Huevo is a savory dessert that mixes the well-known arepa with a fried egg inside. In Colombia, it is marketed as a street meal and is quite popular. The dough is produced from corn flour and contains a perfectly cooked egg; the combination of these two factors results in a delicious blend of textures and flavors. This meal exemplifies Colombian cuisine’s innovation and resourcefulness, serving as a filling snack or breakfast alternative. It is suitable for both breakfast and afternoon tea.

4. The Sancocho

Sancocho is a popular Colombian stew that holds a special place in the hearts of the country’s people. In different areas of the world, this substantial cuisine is prepared differently, but it almost usually includes chicken, plantains, yuca (cassava), potatoes, maize, and various vegetables.

The ingredients are combined in a saucepan and simmered for a time to generate a tasty soup that is relaxing to both the body and the mind. Sancocho embodies the use of easily available products and the collaborative character of cooking in this country.

5. Pescado Frito

Seafood is a popular ingredient in Colombian cuisine, which is not surprising given the country’s large coastline that spans along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Pescado Frito, commonly known as whole fish fried in Colombian style, is a superb example of the country’s competence in seafood.

Red snapper, mojarra, or tilapia that has been seasoned and fried to perfection is generally served with coconut rice, plantains, and sour salsa. This dish encapsulates both the aromas of Colombia’s coast and the country’s long-standing culinary traditions.

6. Empanadas

Empanadas are a popular and omnipresent component of Colombian cuisine; they can be consumed as a quick meal on the go, an appetizer, or a snack. The ingredients for these golden pastries include ground pork, mashed potatoes, cheese, and hogao, which is a tomato salsa sauce. Empanadas are an excellent example of Colombian comfort food, satisfying appetites while also bringing people together.

They are an excellent method to demonstrate the country’s love of robust flavors, as well as a superb example of comfort food.

7. Bocadillo

Bocadillo, a traditional Colombian dish, is a sweet and rich guava paste. It can be eaten alone or with cheese for a more flavorful experience. Because guava is such a prevalent fruit in Colombia, this wonderful treat perfectly embodies the flavor of Colombia’s tropical wealth.

Bocadillo is a delectable dish that represents Colombian cuisine’s blend of indigenous and Spanish influences. As a result, the treat brings back pleasant memories.

8. Pork Belly

Chicharrón, commonly known as crispy pork belly, is a delightful treat that holds a unique place in Colombians’ hearts. Slow cooking the pork until the skin turns golden and crispy while the flesh remains moist and aromatic achieves the required texture and flavor in this meal.

Chicharrón is commonly enjoyed as a snack, but it may also be used in more substantial dishes such as Bandeja Paisa. It is a true delight for people who visit Colombia because of its addictive crunch and delicious flavor.

9. Lechona

Lechona is a tasty and joyful dish that is served at many celebrations and gatherings in Colombia. Lechona is a meal from Tolima that consists of a whole roasted pig packed with rice, potatoes, peas, and other spices. The result is a luscious and aromatic centerpiece that exemplifies Colombia’s love of culinary mastery and community dining.

10. Cocadas Blancas

Cocadas Blancas are sweet coconut sweets that provide a pleasant rush of flavor reminiscent of the tropics. These treats are often fashioned into bite-sized morsels and feature the major ingredients grated coconut, sugar, and condensed milk. Cocadas Blancas commemorate the abundance of coconuts found along Colombia’s coastlines and are a testament to Colombia’s ability to transform simple ingredients into delightful pleasures.

Conclusion

Colombian cuisine combines indigenous traditions, colonial influences, and varied regional cuisines to produce a complex tapestry that is Colombian food. From deep stews like Ajiaco to crispy pleasures like Chicharrón, each meal offers a story about Colombia’s history, culture, and love for discovering new culinary traditions.

You will not only enjoy delectable morsels as you work your way through this list of the ten essential Colombian foods, but you will also feel as if you have been transported into the heart and soul of this captivating country. Allow the flavors of Colombia to revive your senses and leave an everlasting imprint on your recollections of the cuisine you ate while there, whether you were wandering the busy markets or dining with the locals.

The post 10 Best Foods You Must Try in Colombia! first appeared on Get Escaping.

There has been an increase in bike-friendly infrastructure all across the world in recent years. Several long-distance bike paths now span the world, and many urban areas have installed bike lanes. This has made bike riding more convenient and fun, contributing to the recent uptick in interest.

Bicycle Tourism Grows All Over the World

Many local governments throughout the world have begun investing in cycling infrastructure and subsidizing repairs for cyclists up to 50 euros at approved repair shops.2 New bike lanes and slower speed restrictions for cars have been installed on major thoroughfares in London, Brussels, and Bogota.3

Citizens took to riding regardless of whether their government actively encouraged it throughout the outbreak. Bicycle advocates in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and Nairobi, Kenya, asked their respective governments to build extra bike lanes after seeing an increase in the number of cyclists who took to the streets outside of designated bike lanes in order to escape crowded public transportation and the possibility of disease.

4 Individuals in these countries demonstrated that while official backing was important, it was not the driving force behind the bicycle craze.

Some of these cyclists purchased or dusted off their pre-existing bikes as a means of commuting to and from employment, medical care, or other necessities; others did so as a healthy, enjoyable alternative to driving. Even before the epidemic hit, the idea of exploring a new city by bike held a lot of allure.

Is Bike Travel a Sustainable Trend?

At some point, life will return to normal, and people will feel secure enough to travel by more traditional forms of transportation, such as aircraft, trains, and other shared areas, whether for vacations or day-to-day activities. However, during the pandemic, bicycles became indispensable to many people.

“One of the most concerning aspects of the pandemic is that we have no control over it,” Taylor says. “We have an innate desire for control.” Biking, at its most basic, gives us a sense of control in terms of exercising our bodies and staying healthy…a means to escape the pandemic’s strains and anxieties. Overall, it has a wide range of psychological, emotional, and physical benefits.”

That loss of control sent us onto our bikes. When cars, trains, and other modes of transportation felt hazardous, millions of people turned to biking for refuge. But, as normalcy returns, what will this shift toward leisure bike travel mean?

“My guess is that the amount of time spent biking will decrease,” Taylor predicts. “At the same time, the sheer volume and miles ridden now compared to previous years, it’s never going back to the way it was.”

Rails to Trails Conservancy data (a non-profit that aims to convert rail routes into trail networks) backs up his prediction. In 2020, the organization tracked weekly trail use by cyclists in the United States. Except for one week since the pandemic began, trail ridership has grown. Last year, ridership peaked in the first week of April, climbing 217 percent year over year from 2019; by mid-December, it had declined to a 26 percent increase from the same period in 2019.

Nonetheless, the 26 percent growth is a huge gain over the prior year. Perhaps the most important lesson learned from bike travel during the pandemic is that we can do it and that it is a realistic alternative for short and sometimes lengthy travels. “More people are realizing you don’t need to drive three blocks to go to the supermarket,” Taylor adds.

Reasons the Enthusiasm for Bike Travel is Here to Stay

As we continue to forecast which trends from the previous year will fade and which will persist, we hope that bike travel is one of the few that endures. Undoubtedly, more traditional forms of transportation will make a comeback, diminishing some people’s necessity or willingness to commute by bike. So, what will be the impetus for encouraging two-wheeled travel? Here are four reasons why this tendency could continue.

The Environmental Impact:

There is one obvious benefit and reason why riding should become more common for some people: it is an excellent eco-friendly means of transportation. In 2019, the Environmental Change Institute and Transport for London conducted a research in Cardiff, Wales, comparing the effects of substituting short travels (eight kilometers or less) by automobile with bikes.

They discovered that walking or cycling may replace up to 41% of all car journeys, resulting in a 5% reduction in CO2 emissions in the city. Other studies have used comparable statistics to measure the same thing in Barcelona, New Zealand, and the United States.

Because biking reduces greenhouse gas emissions, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change advocated switching from vehicle commuting to biking as a means to keep global temperatures from rising. More benefits of biking are being uncovered as more studies are published.

According to a Swedish study, 111,000 vehicle commuters in Stockholm might feasibly switch to biking, reducing black carbon and nitrogen oxide in the air and saving the general public 449 years of life per year.

Mental Health Benefits:

Mental health will become a driving motivation for some. In the early months of the pandemic, there was a severe quarantine in Buenos Aires, which contributed significantly to reductions in mental health. The National University of La Matanza performed a poll on the effects of the quarantine on inhabitants’ mental health after 100 days of a lockdown in which residents could only leave their homes to buy food or medicine.

They discovered that 43.8 percent of individuals polled needed psychiatric help because of pandemic-related anxiety, despair, hopelessness, and emotional instability.

When the quarantine lifted and we were able to exercise outside again, we hopped on our bikes, and the bicycle quickly became the most popular mode of transportation in the country, according to Google Maps data. Bicycle ridership soared by 98 percent in Buenos Aires. This was partly because public transit was still confined to just critical personnel, but it was also because people needed to be outside.

Improvements to Bike Infrastructure:

National and municipal governments are also important in sustaining interest in biking. While popup lanes in Buenos Aires have helped to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, governments must make long-term improvements to see long-term results.

In Buenos Aires, the city government has set a goal of having one million bike rides every day by 2023.5 Throughout the pandemic, the city collaborated with the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety to increase riding infrastructure, increasing from 227 kilometers in September 2020 to 267 kilometers by January 2021.6 One significant alteration has been the construction of bike lanes to important routes such as Corrientes and Córdoba avenues, rather of just side streets, as was the case before to the pandemic.

The Appeal of Bike Travel:

Others will be motivated by the challenge and novelty of taking a long-distance leisure vacation by bike, whether they are new to this sort of travel or have previously liked it. Yvan Frasier, a French-Canadian, had been journeying for a year and a half from Canada’s Northwest Territories to the tip of South America when the epidemic struck, and he was forced to stop in Argentine Patagonia.

When asked if he believes a bigger proportion of the world population will continue to take long-distance bike excursions in the aftermath of the pandemic, he is upbeat: “I think [the pandemic] just made a lot of people realize that life is pretty fragile.” I guess that’s why people want to get out in nature and ride their bikes for some simple, healthy fun.”

We don’t know when or how our lives will return to pre-2020 normalcy, but perhaps riding as a mode of transportation is here to stay for many people, remaining front of mind when we need to get someplace. In other words, the next time you plan a trip—whether to the grocery store or to a nearby city—ask yourself, “Can I bike there?”

The post Bike Travel Is Surging Around the World! When Will It End? first appeared on Get Escaping.