Foods of the World

Nothing reveals more about a people’s cultural identity than its relationship to its food. In every corner of the world, human ingenuity, geographic- and climatic conditions, religious traditions and foreign influences have shaped a particular culinary heritage that is distinguished from all others and yet connects us in ways that cannot be as easily achieved by any other means.

Most of us explore new places with our eyes, but there are true travel connoisseurs who know how to investigate with their palate. Those are the ones I want to have as my travel companions. Indeed, there’s no better way to learn about the particularities of life in a foreign land than to sit down with the locals and sample their fare. Seemingly insurmountable barriers of culture and language often just melt away with the pleasures one receives from a tasty meal shared with newly found friends.

For Travelers Who Like to Explore
With Their Eyes and Their Palate

You don’t have to be French to know that food can be a matter of national pride. People everywhere in the world cherish their culinary culture. Guests and visitors, of course, reap the benefit. It comes as no surprise that interest in food and cooking has dramatically increased among travelers in recent years and is now a regular staple of many travel itineraries. Whether you are part of this new breed of food adventurers or simply want to know what to expect before you sit down for dinner, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself a little bit with the culinary culture of your destination before your departure. You will enjoy your trip much more, I promise.

People who like fine dining are often wine lovers as well. You can find highly sophisticated viticultures in many parts of the world outside the classic wine regions of Europe. Some are at the cutting edge of the international wine industry today, like Argentina, Australia, California, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa, just to mention a few. So, if you enjoy exploring the world of wine, make sure to include stops at wineries when visiting regions where fine wines are made.

Exploring the culinary achievements of other cultures is only in part about food. Hospitality towards visitors is held in high regard in most civilizations and so are the rules of etiquette and social graces. The difference between good and bad table manners is not determined by what you do (or don’t do), but rather by where you are. The fact is that the rules of hospitality don’t always make sense – but they matter nevertheless. Trust me, I know the feeling you get when you have inadvertently crossed a line or broken a taboo, not because you were rude but out of sheer ignorance. To save you from unpleasant experiences as much as possible, I like to offer a few hints and tips that will help you avoid the worst. Besides being useful, they are also a fun read filled with anecdotes and personal annotations. In any case, it is worthwhile to invest some time in studying the ins and outs and dos and don’ts of the local customs before you embark on unfamiliar territory. Nobody expects you to act with the ease of a seasoned diplomat, but embarrassing situations should be kept to a minimum – if at all possible. Good luck!

Finally, a word of caution. Just because it’s a local specialty or the chef’s famous signature dish, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can stomach it upon your first arrival. Obviously, you want to try something new and exotic when you travel. But your curiosity may have unwelcome consequences for your health. Making sure that your water is safe to drink may be another issue. Be careful with all foods you find at street markets. Some bacteria and pollutants may be tolerable for the locals but not for you. Since it can be difficult to navigate around these potentially dangerous pitfalls, I’ve included some ground rules for food safety in far flung places. Of course, there’s no guarantee that you won’t fall sick, no matter how much you observe precautions. But at least, you are better off acting with knowledge than with ignorance or recklessness.

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