Tasty Trails Travel Pod

Katie Johnson
Tasty Trails Travel Pod

Welcome to Tasty Trails Travel Pod, where every episode is a culinary journey around the globe! Join me, Katie Katie J, as we explore the vibrant world of food and travel, one delicious destination at a time. From street food adventures to intimate kitchen conversations, each episode we chat with people from around the world who share their stories and their culture through the universal language of food. Join us as we dive into a world of flavors and uncover the stories behind your favorite dishes. So tuck in and let’s go!

  1. #35 Gullah Geechee Part 2 with Chef Amethyst Ganaway

    20 NOV

    #35 Gullah Geechee Part 2 with Chef Amethyst Ganaway

    We’re back this week with the second half of our chat with Chef Amethyst Ganaway! If you haven’t heard the first part yet, hit pause and go listen—it’s full of great context for this episode. Chef Amethyst is an award-winning chef featured in The New York Times and Food & Wine magazine. She specializes in Gullah Geechee cuisine and the food of the African diaspora in the South. This week, we dive deeper into Gullah Geechee traditions, their influence on Southern food, and how these flavors and techniques shaped what we now think of as American cuisine. ✨ Highlights: Why Gullah Geechee food is the foundation of American cuisine. The story behind dishes like Hoppin’ John (hint: it’s not just peas and rice!) and okra stew. Pro tips for cooking okra—yes, you can get rid of the slime! How freshness, smokiness, and umami define Gullah Geechee flavors. Where to find authentic Gullah Geechee eats if you’re around Charleston. If you’re curious about the roots of farm-to-table or want to learn more about a cuisine that blends African, Indigenous, and Southern influences, this episode is for you. 🎧 Grab your headphones and join us for the journey! Connect with Chef Amethyst: Instagram: ⁠@thizzg⁠ Online: ⁠www.waterwhippin.com⁠ THANKSGIVING EPISODE: Follow and then DM a voice memo to @tastytrailstravelpod on Instagram with: 1. Your name 2. Where you're from (country, state, city, whatever you want) 3. What you're thankful for Send all messages by end of day Monday, November 25th. And you'll be tagged in the episode! Sign up for the newsletter!! Each month I'll be sending out a newsletter with insider tips Sign up⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠!   ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand?  Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you!   Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure.  Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan.  Visit ⁠https://travel-trails.com/⁠ to learn more and follow  ⁠@TastyTrailsTravelPod⁠ and ⁠@Travel.Trails___⁠ on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel

    20 min
  2. #34 Gullah Geechee Food & Culture with Chef Amethyst Ganaway

    13 NOV

    #34 Gullah Geechee Food & Culture with Chef Amethyst Ganaway

    I'm excited to welcome award-winning chef and food writer Amethyst Ganaway onto the pod as we delve into the history and culture of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of West African slaves in the American South. Chef Amethyst shares the Gullah Geechee’s enduring West African heritage, spanning language, food, art, and music, while tracing the vital role they played in the economic boom of the American South through their cultivation of Carolina Gold rice. This fascinating conversation delves into how isolation along the coast preserved their unique culture and how their contributions have shaped both Southern and American foodways. We explore how Gullah Geechee traditions—especially in food—are deeply rooted in West African heritage, how Carolina Gold rice changed the course of U.S. history, and the resilience behind it all. Connect with Chef Amethyst: Instagram: @thizzg Online: www.waterwhippin.com Sign up for the newsletter!! Each month I'll be sending out a newsletter with insider tips Sign up ⁠HERE⁠!   ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand?  Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you!   Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure.  Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan.  Visit https://travel-trails.com/ to learn more and follow  @TastyTrailsTravelPod and @Travel.Trails___ on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel

    30 min
  3. #32 Día de los Muertos with Rodrigo Zarate

    30 OCT

    #32 Día de los Muertos with Rodrigo Zarate

    In this episode, we journey into the heart of Día de los Muertos, Mexico's cherished "Day of the Dead" celebration. This rich cultural tradition honors the spirits of loved ones with beautifully arranged "ofrendas" (altars), colorful marigolds, intricate sugar skulls, and traditional food offerings. Together, we explore how families reunite with ancestors each year, from cemetery gatherings to festive rituals, and the deep significance behind these vibrant customs. Tune in to learn about the iconic practices that make Día de los Muertos not only a celebration of life and memory but also a profound cultural festival admired around the world. You'll also learn how ancient processes like nixtamalization—originating from prehistoric times—have transformed maize from a simple staple to a nutritious powerhouse that shaped Mesoamerican civilization. Rodrigo unpacks the surprising story of how this age-old technique is still used today, supporting local farmers and ensuring authentic flavors. Listen in to explore the connections between design, tradition, and the colorful celebration of Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca. Visit and connect with Tortilleria Moneda: Instagram: @tortilleriamoneda Online: https://tortilleriamoneda.com/ Sign up for the newsletter!! Each month I'll be sending out a newsletter with insider tips Sign up ⁠HERE⁠!   ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand?  Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you!   Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure.  Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan.  Visit https://travel-trails.com/ to learn more and follow  @TastyTrailsTravelPod and @Travel.Trails___ on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel

    40 min
  4. #30 Sicily with Antonella Di Franco

    16 OCT

    #30 Sicily with Antonella Di Franco

    In this episode, Antonella takes us on a captivating journey through Sicilian food and culture, sharing insights that dive deep into the island's unique culinary traditions. She touches on the rivalries between cities like Palermo and Catania and the historical influences that shaped Sicilian cuisine. We dive into some of her favorite dishes and how the island celebrates its ingredients.  We also explore her favorite off-the-beaten-path travel tips, including charming hilltop villages like Erice, the stunning Greek amphitheater in Taormina with Mount Etna as its backdrop, and why walking through Sicily's streets is the best way to experience its diverse architecture. Antonella's advice for visiting Sicily is invaluable, offering practical tips for travelers and giving a peek into how modern-day Sicily is embracing its rich cultural past. Connect with Antonella: Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Connect with her uncle, Carlo di Franco about his book or purchase through this local bookstore! Sign up for the newsletter!! Each month I'll be sending out a newsletter with insider tips Sign up ⁠HERE⁠!   ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand?  Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you!   Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure.  Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan.  Visit https://travel-trails.com/ to learn more and follow  @TastyTrailsTravelPod and @Travel.Trails___ on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel

    31 min
  5. #29 England with Naomi Rose Part II

    9 OCT

    #29 England with Naomi Rose Part II

    I’m back again with Naomi! We’re continuing our conversation from last week so if you haven’t listened to the first one go back and do so now, it’s a ton of fun and sets up this episode.  This week we’re diving deeper into the story behind her cafe and bakery and the fascinating world of bread-making, baking science, and the realities of running a bakery. Naomi shares how creating sourdough is a labor of love, with her team often starting the process five days in advance to get the starter just right. It took them months of experimenting to finally perfect their white sourdough recipe. She emphasizes how baking is really a science, with precise measurements and timing being key—especially when working with laminated doughs for things like croissants and cruffins, where temperature control and the right butter make all the difference.  We also dive into a fun chat about traditional English treats like hot cross buns, where Naomi explains their history and connection to Easter. Naomi used her experience to write a cookbook, Whisk, Mix, Knead, and Bake, sharing everything she learned along the way, including her recipe for Britain’s Best Loaf.   Connect with Naomi: ⁠https://naomicrose.co/⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Sign up for the newsletter!! Each month I'll be sending out a newsletter with insider tips Sign up⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠!   ***Looking to experience the flavors we've explored firsthand?  Skip the stress of travel planning and work with a trusted professional to take care of all of that for you!   Travel Trails specializes in crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your taste for adventure.  Don’t miss out on tasting these delicious dishes because you don’t have the time to plan.  Visit ⁠https://travel-trails.com/⁠ to learn more and follow ⁠@TastyTrailsTravelPod⁠ and ⁠@Travel.Trails___⁠ on Instagram to stay up to date on episodes and all things food & travel

    28 min

About

Welcome to Tasty Trails Travel Pod, where every episode is a culinary journey around the globe! Join me, Katie Katie J, as we explore the vibrant world of food and travel, one delicious destination at a time. From street food adventures to intimate kitchen conversations, each episode we chat with people from around the world who share their stories and their culture through the universal language of food. Join us as we dive into a world of flavors and uncover the stories behind your favorite dishes. So tuck in and let’s go!

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