Food glorious food!

tips from travel expert and OUT Adventures Co-Founder Steven Larkin

This is one of the main reasons I choose to travel the world. You can learn so much about a country, it’s people and it’s culture by sampling the local delicacies. It’s not always for the faint of heart but it always delivers an opportunity to experience the real world. Now, there are always some safety practicalities to consider like only drinking from bottled or secure water sources but it’s equally important to know that the food is being prepared under safe, hygienic conditions. Your tour guide is probably the best source for pointing you in the right direction – especially in developing countries. Since they travel regularly through these regions they know where to go and what to eat. So, follow their lead and you will be pleasantly surprised.

On a recent trip through Northern Thailand we spent an entire day in a cooking class in Chiang Mai. This is probably one of the best ways to get an authentic experience and understanding of Thai cooking. The day started with a visit to a local market to gain an understanding of the produce, spices, herbs and meats available in Thai cuisine. Fresh and fragrant ingredients are selected and we are then off to learn how to prepare a typical Thai meal. Now, we’re not talking 3 courses here. You actually learn how to make a whole variety of courses including of course Pad Thai and Tom Yum Soup. The instructor first shows you how to prepare the ingredients and then you take charge and create your own meal. In a word – delicious!! Who knew cooking Thai was so much fun. Course after course is demonstrated and prepared and you leave with a real sense of accomplishment and an understanding of what great Thai food is all about.

Cooking School in Chiang Mai

Having this first hand knowledge of the local cuisine makes it that much easier to make your way through local restaurants and markets. You’ll know what to look for and what to order. A good tip is to check out where the locals are eating. If you want a real sense of great food – then eat like a local. The busier the restaurant with locals – the better the food will be and it’s probably quite inexpensive too. This holds true for probably any restaurant in the world.

Travelling through Europe and knowing how to eat on the cheap is sometimes a challenge but the same principal as above holds true. Eat like a local and you will avoid the tourist traps. In most of the western European countries it is customary to have a light breakfast – continental of course. No heavy hot American breakfasts here. Go light in the morning with some bread and cheese and a croissant and a piece of fruit. Lunch is always on the go! And by on the go, I mean that you can easily pick up a baguette and cold meats from a local butcher and baker and create your own little picnic. If you feel like you need a jolt of coffee order at the bar and enjoy the coffee standing up. As soon as you sit down at a table you will pay more – that’s typically where you will find the tourists. Europeans, especially in the Mediterranean countries of Spain and Italy eat quite a late dinner. So, if you don’t want to stand out like a sore thumb then be prepared to eat past 10pm. This might sound strange but if you want to eat like a local, then show up late & enjoy a late dinner.

Dining throughout the world whether you’re in Thailand or Italy is a social event. It brings people together to laugh, share and learn. Take the opportunity to learn more about a people, its food and culture by stepping away from the typical guide book recommended restaurants and venturing into local cafes, bars, bistros and stalls to sample food, glorious food. It’s what travel is all about!

-Steven Larkin

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