Taste of Place

Hosted by World Food Travel Association, Erik Wolf

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May 2026

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About the show

The Taste of Place podcast is where we share inspiring stories from chefs, artisanal producers, and others who are working to preserve culinary culture and heritage. Join us as we meet and learn from these inspiring leaders in our field. Whether you are a seasoned professional, an entrepreneur, or a consumer with an interest in culinary culture and heritage, our podcast series will surely inspire. Hosted by the World Food Travel Association's Executive Director Erik Wolf.

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60 recent

May 6, 202640 min

Ep 88. Karl Wilder - Our Food is Our History

In this episode, we discuss: What is wrong with many food tours today Why culinary heritage and food history should never be separated The difference between authentic food experiences and tourist food Why Oaxaca may rival San Sebastián as one of the world’s great food destinations The surprising history of Mexican wine Why grandmothers are often the true keepers of culinary culture How American Italian cuisine evolved into its own food tradition The hidden labor behind great cooking and hospitality Why Milou the dog has become an unlikely ambassador for slow travel and human connection We also go far off script into stories about dubbing films in Italy, learning from local cooks around the world, and how food can connect people across politics, language, and culture. If you care about culinary heritage, meaningful travel, and the human side of gastronomy, this is an episode you will not want to miss. 🌍 Learn more about Karl Wilder and The Chef Tours:https://thecheftours.com Find them on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chefpjfoodtour Or on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557315088911 The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org.

April 9, 202643 min

Ep 87. Blanca Valencia - The Real Spain Isn't on the Menu

Learn more about Blanca on her website here. You can also meet her on LinkedIn here. And you'll also find her on Instagram here. The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org.

March 10, 202643 min

Ep 86. Marc Checkley - The Story Before the Sip

In this conversation, you will learn: Why storytelling matters more than marketing in culinary tourism How memorable experiences are built around people and place—not products Why sustainability and authenticity are essential for the next generation of tourism professionals How destinations can better collaborate with experience creators Visit Marc's website here. Connect with Marc on LinkedIn. The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org.

February 4, 202640 min

Ep 85. Mauricio Kusanovic - Patagonia Beyond the Postcard

Mauricio's business: www.lastorres.comMauricio on LinkedIn The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org.

January 10, 202647 min

Ep 84. Santina Kennedy - Ireland Made by Makers

00:00 – 04:30Early passion for food, growing up in agricultural Ireland, and choosing a “safe” banking career04:30 – 07:00Opening and running a café with limited resources - lessons in authenticity, service, and commitment07:00 – 09:30Transition from hospitality operations to food consultancy and returning to formal education09:30 – 11:30Finding a voice through gastronomy studies and stepping into leadership through knowledge11:30 – 13:30Telling Ireland’s overlooked food stories - workers, tenant farmers, and everyday heritage13:30 – 18:30Irish whiskey as cultural identity: history, grains, mash bills, resilience, and food pairings18:30 – 21:00Whiskey tourism experiences and changing Irish drinking culture21:00 – 25:30St. Brigid: goddess, saint, hospitality icon, and inspiration for food-led cultural events25:30 – 30:30County Wicklow’s food network - abundance, collaboration, and regional pride30:30 – 33:30Comparing Wicklow and Boyne Valley; celebrating Ireland’s regional diversity without competition33:30 – 36:30Why Irish food storytelling must start at home, not just with tourists36:30 – 39:30Hospitality labor, work-life balance, and sustaining Irish voices in food and tourism39:30 – 44:30Cuisine evolution, immigration, innovation, and respectful adaptation of tradition44:30 – EndReflections on food tourism, gratitude, and the role of shared language in shaping a fieldYou can learn more about Santina here. The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org.

January 2, 202636 min

Ep 83. Heike Winter - Why Artisanal Still Matters

00:00 – Introduction01:05 – From Germany to Scotland02:10 – Discovering the Isle of Harris04:30 – A Dream, a Word, and a Business Idea06:45 – From Concept to First Jar08:00 – Changing How People Think About Mustard10:05 – Producing Food in a Remote Location14:10 – Organic Ingredients and Sustainability Challenges17:15 – Visitors, Honesty Boxes, and Tastings18:45 – Creating Unusual Flavours21:30 – Recognition and Leadership23:00 – Growth Without Becoming Mass Market25:15 – The Future of Mustard and Clean Food29:00 – Certification, Labels, and Consumer Choice33:00 – Personal Growth and Finding One’s Calling34:45 – Closing ThoughtsVisit her website here.Visit her on Instagram here. The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org.

December 14, 202530 min

Ep 82. Daniela Sfara - Cooking by Heart Not by Recipe

This episode explores:• The power of intuitive cooking and ancestral knowledge• Why authenticity is often misunderstood—and misused—in modern food culture• The role of terroir, tradition, and memory in shaping true culinary experiences• How social media trends have distorted our understanding of real food• Why reconnecting with the sources of ingredients can transform how we taste• The importance of slowing down, sharing stories, and cooking together• Lessons from regional Italy that the world urgently needs todayInstagram – @danielasfarahttps://www.instagram.com/danielasfaraLinkedIn – Daniela Sfarahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/danielasfara The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org.

November 12, 202543 min

Ep 81. Veronica Peralta - The Sweet Taste of Ethics

1:00 – The Origins of Paccari03:00 – Empowering Farmers07:00 – Saving Biodiversity08:00 – Distinct Flavors of Place14:00 – Chocolate as Happiness17:00 – The Raw Bar Revolution18:00 – Beyond Business: A Social Mission20:00 – Toward a Chocolate Map of Ecuador23:00 – Economic Challenges and Climate Change27:00 – Environmental Threats at Home31:00 – Ethics and Consumer Power33:00 – Recognition as the World’s Most Ethical Chocolate35:00 – Industry Corruption and Hope for Change39:00 – Knowledge Is PowerLearn more about Paccari chocolate.Read the Ethical Consumer Magazine article (pages 10-17) about Paccari.NB: Paccari is the new spelling of the brand's name. Formerly, it was written as Pacari, which is a Quechua word meaning "nature" or "something that comes from the Earth". The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org.

October 1, 202528 min

Ep 80. Ximena Velasco - Mexico Beyond the Myths

In this episode of the Taste of Place Podcast, we sit down with Ximena Velasco, founder of the ¡Qué Gusto! festival in France. Originally from Mexico, Ximena has dedicated the past decade to changing perceptions of Mexican food abroad, proving that it is far more than fajitas or chili con carne. She shares her journey from working with Atout France to creating her own cultural platform, the challenges of promoting Mexican gastronomy in a country so deeply proud of its own food traditions, and the victories that come from perseverance, creativity, and trust in her instincts.We discuss:How Ximena turned frustration into inspiration to launch ¡Qué Gusto!The cultural misunderstandings she continually must overcome about Mexican cuisineWhy storytelling, heritage, and women cooks are central to preserving authenticityThe importance of reinventing events and strategies to stay relevantHer vision for expanding Mexican gastronomy’s presence in France and beyondXimena’s story is a powerful reminder of how one person’s determination can transform perceptions, build bridges between cultures, and spark curiosity about authentic flavors. The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org.

September 21, 202542 min

Ep 79. Paula Mohammed - Peace Through Food

In this episode of the Taste of Place Podcast, we sit down with Paula Mohammed – podcaster, cultural explorer, and founder of In My Kitchen. Paula’s story begins with a unique multicultural upbringing as the daughter of a Pakistani father and mother from New Zealand with Māori heritage, raised in both Canada and New Zealand.She shares how a childhood memory of curried peas sparked a lifelong passion for connecting cultures through food. From organizing events and working in sports marketing, to launching In My Kitchen and facilitating culinary exchanges worldwide, Paula has built a life around creating peace through food — one dish and one story at a time.We explore:How Paula’s diverse heritage shaped her love of food and cultureThe origin story of In My Kitchen and its global hostsHer three principles of travel and food exploration: Let it marinate, let it bend, let it unfoldWhy Portugal was a turning point in her personal and professional journeyHer evolving definition of success — from chasing big events to cultivating connection and legacyWhether you’re a traveler, a food lover, or simply curious about how food can foster deeper human connection, Paula’s journey is full of wisdom and inspiration.In my Kitchen websitePaula's Instagram page The Taste of Place podcast is sponsored by the World Food Travel Association’s Taste of Place movement. Taste of Place is a global initiative that celebrates culinary culture, food heritage, and the makers behind them. Through the movement, travelers and consumers are encouraged to connect more deeply with destinations and products through their unique flavors and traditions. Learn more at JoinTasteofPlace.org.