Travel is one of the most exciting adventures life has to offer, and those wishing to make the most of their experience should try to immerse themselves in every aspect of the local culture. Tourists wishing to soak up the history and traditions of destinations around the world can learn a great deal from trying the local cuisine, stepping outside their comfort zone and giving their palate something different.
Enjoying locally produced cuisine can unlock knowledge and bring an unprecedented insight into each region, and deckhand Oliver Mills-Nanyn knows the value of marrying travel with culinary exploration.
Key Ways of Embracing Local Cuisine
Approaching the discovery of new tastes and flavour combinations should be done with an element of open-mindedness; although it may be nerve-wracking to try new things, these new experiences could turn out to be a pleasant surprise. Combining a love of food with travelling can be achieved in a number of ways; securing a part-time position in a restaurant or café can fund additional travel in the future while opening up the local culinary cuisine.
Forging connections with local citizens is also illuminating, allowing tourists to pick up useful tips on making speciality dishes. This engagement with the local community is key to learning and exploring new techniques. There may also be opportunities to engage in cooking workshops in the region, often run by local citizens, which can be invaluable for developing some new and exciting culinary skills.
A Culinary Journey Through Time
The development of a local cuisine can often be traced back through history, with the challenges faced by the nation reflected in the culinary journey. Local cuisine can be influenced by a variety of factors, from the indigenous climate to conflicts that have affected the country or local region. This can be seen in places such as Austria where the winters can be long and harsh, with hearty meals such as stews particularly suited to the climate, while Italy’s past as a maritime republic is reflected in the country’s love of seafood.
Equally, learning about a local cuisine does not always involve the discovery of new ingredients; it can also be an opportunity to develop new methods of preparing and serving ingredients that travellers are already familiar with. Sharing this knowledge with loved ones at home is a great way of continuing this foray into other culinary traditions.