Real Food Traveler

After spending a wonderful evening at a whisky pairing dinner with Craig Engelhorn, co-founder and head distiller at Spirit Hound Distillers in Colorado, I knew he had to be a guest on, not only the Real Food Traveler Podcast but also on our sister podcast, the In Good Taste Denver Podcast. Learn about Craig's interesting path into making spirits and how visits to the source in Scotland made him look at distilling very differently. See Craig in action and get links to his website (which includes where to find Spirit Hound where you are), and his social media platforms in this article on RealFoodTraveler.com.

Aussie Select produces premium deli products responsibly sourced from Australian lamb. The pre-cooked products, available throughout the United States, brings a convenient, creative and delicious protein option to diners. I grew up eating lamb so I was really curious to know what lamb deli products would be like. After having tried several, and hearing the story behind the business, I was excited to have Jaclyn Oyola, CEO of Aussie Select as my guest. Learn more and see some photos of the products on RealFoodTraveler.com.

What awaits travelers to Mississippi? We find out on the Real Food Traveler Podcast from my guest, food/travel/lifestyle/wellness writer, Abbey Algiers. She was recently on a golf-music-food tour that started in Biloxi, Mississippi and worked its way north. We learn about the food, drink, music and culture scene to prepare us to visit on our own. See some photos and get the links to everything Abbey talks about on our site, RealFoodTraveler.com.

Abbey Algiers is back for another Real Food Traveler Podcast episode about Spain. This time, it's Valencia where Abbey recently visited, coming back with a wealth of useful and delicious information to help us plan our visit there. She gives us the ins and outs of the foodie scene, including what time it's appropriate to eat Paella, unique places to get authentic cuisine and much more. You can see photos from Abbey's trip to Valencia on our accompanying article on RealFoodTraveler.com, including live links to some of the places she talks about.

Imagine the opulence of the Court of King Louis XIV, hosting lavish balls and welcoming dignitaries from around Europe to the Palace of Versailles, France. Among the delicacies that were served were Bissinger's chocolates. The family was granted the title of Confiseur Imperial (Confectioner of the Empire) by Louis. Those scratch-made, hand-crafted chocolate treats are still made today in St. Louis, Missouri. On this episode of the Real Food Traveler Podcast, we chat with Dan Abel, Jr., Chief Chocolate Officer at Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier. We talk about what's so special about their chocolates that still create demand 350 years later and how they keep up with the times to ensure the family-run company's legacy. See some examples of Bissinger's chocolates and get live links to their site on RealFoodTraveler.com.

First, she was an actress in New York. Then she ran a car dealership. Then, she made ice cream for a living. Listen to how these seemingly unrelated careers blended together perfectly, much like the creative flavors of ice cream Erika Thomas makes. Her Colorado-based company, High Point Creamery, may have started as a favorite treat she made for her family at home but it now includes four scoop shops and distribution of pints of ice cream across the country. Meet the self-titled "Boss Lady" on this Real Food Traveler Podcast episode.

With a long, rich history, plentiful seafood and a supportive restaurant scene, it's easy to experience the culinary scene in Galveston, Texas. The city's Restaurant Weeks offers an annual opportunity to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner menus at special price points that enable restaurant owners and chefs to show off the best of their best each year. Learn about what Restaurant Weeks are like in Galveston and what you can expect from the local food scene in this Real Food Traveler Podcast episode. 

My guest for this episode is Abbey Algiers, a fellow travel journalist, whom I met in 2024 in Mallorca. Abbey has had a passion for Spain for years and years and has been fortunate enough to return many times. Hear Abbey tell about some of her local foodie experiences around Spain but, specifically, about the real experiences of dining - beyond just eating good food. You can see photos and get links to things Abbey talks about in our article on RealFoodTraveler.com.

You'd be amazed how much of Vienna, Austria you can experience in a short time! As part of a river cruise on the Danube, my husband and I had the opportunity to experience a quick stay in Vienna through an excursion tour offered by Viking River Cruises, plans we made on our own, plus a lovely overnight stay at a very unique hotel. For the first time on the Real Food Traveler Podcast, I am joined by my husband, who is also co-owner of Real Food Traveler and our Eco-Friendly Food, Travel and Adventure Editor. Here's the link to photos and other information that will help you plan your quick visit.

Thanks to its health benefits and delicious flavor, olive oil has never been more popular. Enjoy this podcast conversation with Tiffany Blackman of Aubocassa, makers of extra virgin premium olive oil on the island of Mallorca. Learn about their revolutionary techniques for harvesting and production and how best to use and store olive oil. And, you'll learn why you might have been thinking about olive oil the wrong way all this time.

Meet Luis, the owner of MOLTAK Kitchen Life, which provides hands-on cooking experiences (and dinner afterword) inside a centuries-old windmill in the heart of Palma Mallorca. His classes are a great way for Real Food Travelers to get to know the stories behind, and flavors of, the local cuisine.

With the third of his 3-part series about travel in Peru now available on Real Food Traveler, here's a conversation that shares some of the best tips and memories from a sibling trip that included a visit to Machu Picchu. Learn more and get the links to all three articles on our site, RealFoodTraveler.com.

Downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana is enjoying a refresh. With a revitalized riverfront area, world-renowned genealogical center, thriving arts and culture scene, bold mural walk and new places to stay, there's a lot to see and do. And their restaurant scene has been experiencing a big boost as of late. Enjoy this conversation with Johnny Perez, owner of Te Gusto Hospitality which encompasses several restaurant concepts in Fort Wayne. He tells us about his places, where he loves to eat on his own time, and what to watch for in the city's food scene.

Let some Paris into your life, whether you're planning on visiting or just doing some travel dreaming. Real Food Traveler Podcast host, Courtney Drake-McDonough chats with travel writer, author, and Europe Editor at RFT, Irvina Lew. They cover helpful tips for visiting Paris including essential phrases, lesser-known (and less busy) places to visit, and news about Irvina's upcoming book, Forays in France: A Flavorful Memoir.

Meet Richard Lomax who introduces Real Food Traveler readers and podcast listeners to his family-run collection of restaurants in Corpus Christi, Texas. Each is a completely different concept where locals and visitors love to eat.

A lot of destinations say they have the best beaches. But only some can say it’s official. St. George island, off the gulf coast of Florida, has been enjoying that designation of “Best Beach in the U.S.” since the venerable Dr. Beach declared it so in June of 2023. Since then, the Island has been welcoming visitors to enjoy what they’ve known for years – that St. George is a great place to go for a beach vacation. After checking it out personally, I can see what the appeal was for Dr. Beach. Here, I’ll share ways RealFoodTraveler.com readers and podcast listeners can make the most of the island. Read our full article on RealFoodTraveler.com.

Beyond what the cruise lines tell you in their promotional materials, here's a glimpse into a Discovery Princess Cruise that provides been-there-figured-that-out tips from the editor of RealFoodTraveler.com, a digital, culinary travel magazine. You'll discover tips and tricks to make your time onboard and on shore more relaxing, less rushed, and way more enjoyable. Read more about it and see beautiful photos and video on our site at RealFoodTraveler.com.

There's a new distillery on the scene that's doing things differently, taking advantage of local crops (including potatoes and quinoa), emphasizing renewable energy in the process. Get to know the owner of Dune Valley Distillery in Masca, Colorado, near the famous Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Our efforts to be mindful about what we eat don't have to go out the window just because we're traveling. Sure, there's a lot of amazing food to be had out there in the world, but it IS possible to balance that with healthy eating too. Enjoy this podcast interview between Real Food Traveler's Europe Editor, Irvina Lew and Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Huggins of Hilton Head Health, a destination wellness resort. Together, they share information and tips for eating healthy and (staying) well when traveling. Learn more at https://www.realfoodtraveler.com/podcast/eating-healthy-and-well-when-traveling/

On a recent trip to Green Bay, Wisconsin, I met Ashley Grant, owner of Bountiful Boards, a small business helping to promote and nurture small dairy farms and cheesemakers around the state. Although her shop is reason enough to go, and stock up for picnic fare, it's her own story and the stories she wants to tell about the local cheese scene that got our attention. Read more about the shop and see photos on our website: https://www.realfoodtraveler.com/podcast/meet-ashley-grant-of-bountiful-boards-in-green-bay/