QOTD #55

Take this show on the road! When you travel, how important is it to you to be able to cook at your destination? I'm not necessarily talking about the weekend getaway, but when you're going to be encamped at a space for a week or more, is the ability to cook something that you factor into the trip? Have you ever taken a big trip specifically because of the opportunity to cook?

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Matthew_Snyder_68770

Our last big trip was to Spain last April. Eight days in Barcelona followed by four days in San Sebastián-Donostia. In Barca, we stayed in an apartment (Air BnB FTW!) across the street from the Sant Antoni market, and it was brilliant. Spanish food and gastronomy is my latest passion, and I couldn't have imagined being in Spain that long and not cooking for my wife. We were there during calçot season, so we had a lot of the giant scallions, but we also had a lot of mushrooms and artichokes.

Later in our stay, we took a cooking class (cookandtastebarcelona.net, so much fun) which was preceded by a guided tour of La Boqueria market.

Johan_Edstrom_5586

More and more so, went to Antigua for a week these holidays, after a week

of essentially the same banquet stuff I was ready to strangle people.

Maybe not so much having to cook as being able to pick what I eat and where.

Kyle_Swanbeck_13795

My trips usually involve visiting family for me so I always have access to a kitchen and since they all know my love of cooking it is more and more expected that I cook meals for the family! I love it. Can't wait to show off some of the fun new stuff I have been working on and blowing some minds!

FrankM_3301

We travel frequently and almost always rent a house, apartment or condo. Being able to cook while on vacation is important to me. 1. I enjoy it. 2. I like to see what can be done with local ingredients. 3. It is much more economical. 4. I can usually do better than local restaurants. I haven't traveled specifically to cook, but I am always thinking about cooking when I travel.

tshewman

Trips are generally too short for cooking, but for the 2-3 longer trips (~5 days) I try to rent a condo so I can cook for myself and/or for colleagues (good for my ego) and in the evenings is when I'll test things (like hestons poaching an egg strategy) and play in general (weird form of entertainment). Aside from that, I enjoy taking cooking classes and when many are hitting the bars after the conferences etc, I'll try to take an evening and find a cooking class. Brisbane, Dubai, and Brussels have been some nice experiences for the classes.

Johan_Edstrom_5586

Family trips, yes that is what happens for us.

robmcquarrie

Zero importance. The main reason I plan trips is to eat at far away restaurants. In fact it's more important I can't cook at the destination so that any travel companions have no choice but to go to whatever restaurants I've looked up ahead of time.

John_Paul_138238

I cashed out of "normal life" and have been traveling around the world to eat, cook, explore, learn and find adventure for nearly 3.5 years now. Actually moved to Jamaica when I was 20 and wound up as the head Chef at a small beach resort on and off for a few years. Over 30 countries on 5 continents. Some times I "rescue" a bar/restaurant, food consultant is the new age term I guess. Sometimes I cook on a yacht, or private chef in a mansion, or on remote South Pacific islands, or the back of my campervan for a 8k mile road trip around New Zealand. Or throw it all in my pack and hop on a motorcycle for a 2k mile SE Asian adventure. I'll cook at beach hostels and small guesthouses in exchange for room, booze and food. That's where I have the most fun. Providing incredible cuisine to backpackers and budget travelers who wouldn't normally have the opportunity to experience that type of food because of prohibited costs.

There are several websites for Help Exchange that you can usually find paid work plus full room and board. Always in very exotic and friendly locations. Plus there is ALWAYS something you can learn to improve your culinary repertoire Here are 2 sites that I have used frequently:

http://www.helpx.net/

http://www.workaway.info/

Having a place to cook is very important no matter where I'm staying. Luckily hostels almost always have a kitchen and if you're friendly, you can always find a place to cook if you're willing to share. Wherever you travel, there is always a fresh market somewhere. Knowing there are all those new smells and flavors out there just waiting for you, I think it would be impossible as a Chef or food lover to not plan a vacation around having access to cooking facilities. If only a fridge and hot plate. Though I've made it work with much less! I've recently purchased my own Anova, guess I'll have to buy a bigger backpack now...

In case anyone is wondering, I carry various cooking tools and ingredients when I travel. The only 3 constants are a can/packs of Old Bay, bottle of hot sauce and my Chef knife.

ttpoker

Travel is an excuse for me to spends excessive amounts of money on restaurants, particularly those that take a fine dining approach or where I am excited to experience a chef's vision. I have no intention of cooking while I travel, unless it is while getting lessons in a foreign land on a cuisine I want to learn more about. I have however flown 1/2 way across the world just to eat at a restaurant, thats always good for a laugh and some astonished looks when that topic comes up - but if the experience is that good, its always worth the investment.

ttpoker

Jelly! We talked about taking this course when we were in Barcelona a few months ago, but we didn't have the time. Its the most magical food city I have ever been to, we must be brothers from another mother ;-) PS the URL is http://www.cookandtaste.net/

Eric_M_16062

I always try and line up a stage, even just a lunch service peeling carrots, hah. Doesn't always work out but you can really learn a lot

Matthew_Snyder_68770

Thanks for the correction on that URL. Highly derpy of me.

And if you think Barcelona is awesome, wait til you try San Sebastián.

DiggingDogFarm_65362

I rarely travel.

Heck, I've only left the house once since Christmas eve! LOL

When I travel, I never cook.