{"id":12403,"date":"2019-10-30T00:03:29","date_gmt":"2019-10-29T16:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/?page_id=12403"},"modified":"2023-11-16T15:16:21","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T23:16:21","slug":"sustainable-food-tourism-for-authentic-experiences","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.travelwithachallenge.com\/?page_id=12403","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable food tourism for authentic experiences"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sustainable Food Tourism is on the Rise<\/span><\/h1>\n
\"Mexico-City-Margarita-Peppers\"
Enjoy a traditional three-course Mexican meal with a first course such as corn soup or Mexican tortilla soup followed with a Mexican main such as chiles rellenos, stuffed chili peppers, or chicken stuffed with cheese and served with salsa verde. <\/em>\u00a9Traveling Spoon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Go Off the Eaten Path for Authentic Local Experiences<\/span><\/h2>\n

Founded in 2013 by Aashi Vel and Steph Lawrence, California-based Traveling Spoon<\/strong>, www.travelingspoon.com<\/a>, connects travelers with food experiences, from home-cooked meals to cooking lessons, with locals in their homes around the world. Experiences are 100% vetted and 100% private. Learn how to cook pasta from an Italian in her central Florence home, or grind curries from scratch on a family farm in Thailand. Traveling Spoon offers experiences in over 160 cities in over 50 countries around the globe while 65-75% of every dollar spent on a cuisine experience goes directly into the hands of locals providing the services. Here is how it works!<\/p>\n

\"Chiang-Mai\"
Be prepared to chop, mince and pound as you create a beautiful Northern Thai meal featuring family recipes perfected by Nid and her mother over the years in their home in Lamphun, a small region an hour outside of Chiang Mai. <\/em>\u00a9Traveling Spoon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Food tourism has been an increasing travel trend for years now, until it has become one of the top travel trends to watch heading into 2020. Studies show that food serves to connect people with the land, its heritage and the people there. It is a diverse, dynamic channel for sharing stories, forming relationships and building communities. By combining local food and drink with travel, food tourism offers both locals and visitors alike an authentic taste of place while contributing to a sustainable economy and local economic development.<\/p>\n

\"Meal-with-Durga\"
Learn to cook a traditional Rajasthani meal with Indian hosts, Durga and Usha, at an outdoor cooking station. <\/em>\u00a9Kunal Daswani<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Traveling Spoon goes beyond the ordinary by offering authentic experiences that open travelers\u2019 minds to new flavors, cultures, heritages and traditions around the world. Experience the joy of a homemade meal (and eat it the way the locals do) over conversation about food and culture. Learn about cultural and culinary traditions passed down through generations as you chop, grind and cook in a local kitchen. Explore a nearby market with your host, discovering local and regional produce before returning home to cook and eat together.<\/p>\n

\"London-Chef-Romuald\"
Visit a local Farmers\u2019 Market to select the best British produce and return to this charming Notting Hill rooftop flat to enjoy a delightful meal. <\/em>\u00a9Traveling Spoon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Variety of Eco-Friendly Sustainable Experiences <\/span><\/h4>\n

For travelers looking for experiences with an eco-friendly and sustainability focus, many Traveling Spoon hosts have incredible food experiences geared for the eco-conscious. Take a Costa Rican cooking class on an organic farm outside San Jos\u00e9. Hosts Gabriel and Mima are young environmental science graduates and entrepreneurs whose mission is to change Costa Rican rural development strategy through their organic farm. With one hectare (10,000 square meters) of land, Gabriel and Mima conserve and protect natural resources through sustainable agricultural practices and the implementation of integrated ecological systems. Travelers can visit their farm for a tour and a Costa Rican cooking class.<\/p>\n

In Croatia, travelers can go fishing with an islander and take a Croatian cooking class. Visit the island of Preko and join host Anamarija for some shellfish collecting in the morning. Currently a marine scientist who teaches coastal ecosystems, conservation and biomimicry, Ana is passionate about respecting nature and approaches cooking and food with a very holistic mindset.<\/p>\n

Or head to Indonesia and take a traditional Balinese cooking class on an environmentally-friendly organic farm. Unlike a typical Traveling Spoon experience that takes place in a home, this is a unique experience that takes place at an organic community farm and kitchen run by a group of locals interested in sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Kadek decided to return to his village in Pejeng and founded an organic farm along with members from the nearby village. Their mission is to promote sustainable, organic farming that reduces waste.<\/p>\n

\"Bali-Dewa-Cooking\"
In North Ubud, Island of Bali, travelers engage in a very hands-on, communal cooking experience grinding spices and chilies on a large stone grinder, chopping ingredients, and wrapping fish in banana leaves. <\/em>\u00a9Traveling Spoon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Cuisine Too<\/span><\/h4>\n

Eating deliciously and with good health for vegan and vegetarian travelers has its challenges, but more and more travel companies are accommodating the needs for special diets. Here are a few of Traveling Spoon\u2019s savory options for special diet travelers: <\/p>\n