Taste of Place

World Food Travel Association, Erik Wolf
  • 4.0 (4)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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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.

  1. Ep 84. Santina Kennedy - Ireland Made by Makers

    5D AGO

    Ep 84. Santina Kennedy - Ireland Made by Makers

    00:00 – 04:30 Early passion for food, growing up in agricultural Ireland, and choosing a “safe” banking career 04:30 – 07:00 Opening and running a café with limited resources - lessons in authenticity, service, and commitment 07:00 – 09:30 Transition from hospitality operations to food consultancy and returning to formal education 09:30 – 11:30 Finding a voice through gastronomy studies and stepping into leadership through knowledge 11:30 – 13:30 Telling Ireland’s overlooked food stories - workers, tenant farmers, and everyday heritage 13:30 – 18:30 Irish whiskey as cultural identity: history, grains, mash bills, resilience, and food pairings 18:30 – 21:00 Whiskey tourism experiences and changing Irish drinking culture 21:00 – 25:30 St. Brigid: goddess, saint, hospitality icon, and inspiration for food-led cultural events 25:30 – 30:30 County Wicklow’s food network - abundance, collaboration, and regional pride 30:30 – 33:30 Comparing Wicklow and Boyne Valley; celebrating Ireland’s regional diversity without competition 33:30 – 36:30 Why Irish food storytelling must start at home, not just with tourists 36:30 – 39:30 Hospitality labor, work-life balance, and sustaining Irish voices in food and tourism 39:30 – 44:30 Cuisine evolution, immigration, innovation, and respectful adaptation of tradition 44:30 – End Reflections on food tourism, gratitude, and the role of shared language in shaping a field You 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.

    48 min
  2. Ep 83. Heike Winter - Why Artisanal Still Matters

    JAN 2

    Ep 83. Heike Winter - Why Artisanal Still Matters

    00:00 – Introduction 01:05 – From Germany to Scotland 02:10 – Discovering the Isle of Harris 04:30 – A Dream, a Word, and a Business Idea 06:45 – From Concept to First Jar 08:00 – Changing How People Think About Mustard 10:05 – Producing Food in a Remote Location 14:10 – Organic Ingredients and Sustainability Challenges 17:15 – Visitors, Honesty Boxes, and Tastings 18:45 – Creating Unusual Flavours 21:30 – Recognition and Leadership 23:00 – Growth Without Becoming Mass Market 25:15 – The Future of Mustard and Clean Food 29:00 – Certification, Labels, and Consumer Choice 33:00 – Personal Growth and Finding One’s Calling 34:45 – Closing Thoughts Visit 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.

    36 min
  3. Ep 82. Daniela Sfara - Cooking by Heart Not by Recipe

    12/14/2025

    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 today Instagram – @danielasfara https://www.instagram.com/danielasfara LinkedIn – Daniela Sfara https://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.

    31 min
  4. Ep 81. Veronica Peralta - The Sweet Taste of Ethics

    11/12/2025

    Ep 81. Veronica Peralta - The Sweet Taste of Ethics

    1:00 – The Origins of Paccari 03:00 – Empowering Farmers 07:00 – Saving Biodiversity 08:00 – Distinct Flavors of Place 14:00 – Chocolate as Happiness 17:00 – The Raw Bar Revolution 18:00 – Beyond Business: A Social Mission 20:00 – Toward a Chocolate Map of Ecuador 23:00 – Economic Challenges and Climate Change 27:00 – Environmental Threats at Home 31:00 – Ethics and Consumer Power 33:00 – Recognition as the World’s Most Ethical Chocolate 35:00 – Industry Corruption and Hope for Change 39:00 – Knowledge Is Power Learn 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.

    43 min
  5. Ep 80. Ximena Velasco - Mexico Beyond the Myths

    10/01/2025

    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.

    29 min
  6. Ep 79. Paula Mohammed - Peace Through Food

    09/21/2025

    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 website Paula'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.

    43 min
  7. Ep 78. Paule-Odile Beke - From Abidjan to London

    08/21/2025

    Ep 78. Paule-Odile Beke - From Abidjan to London

    Chapters 00:38 – Childhood in Ivory Coast and street food memories 03:14 – Turning passion into a chef’s career 04:55 – Defining Afro-fusion cuisine 06:55 – Life between Paris and London 11:33 – MasterChef experience and lessons learned 17:19 – Impact of the show on career and clients 19:19 – Advice for young chefs: resilience, teamwork, and passion 26:38 – Reflections on Gordon Ramsay’s style 30:25 – Founding Douceurs d’Ivoire and catering work 32:55 – Tea, koutoukou liqueur, and new product ventures 36:55 – The origin of jollof rice debate You can learn more about Paule on her 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.

    39 min
  8. Ep 77. Sara England - Maple, Migration & Memory

    06/26/2025

    Ep 77. Sara England - Maple, Migration & Memory

    Episode Chapters 00:00 Journey to Nova Scotia 02:21 Exploring Pier 21 and Its Significance 04:59 The Intersection of Food and Immigration 07:46 Exhibit Highlights: Eat, Make, Share 10:00 Cultural Significance of Canadian Cuisine 12:25 The Role of Indigenous Foods 14:48 Coffin Ships and Historical Context 17:32 The Evolution of Canadian Culinary Identity Visit Sara on LinkedIn here. Visit the Eat, Make, Share: A Taste of Immigration show in Halifax, Nova Scota in 2025. Learn more 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.

    36 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    World Food Travel Association, Erik Wolf
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Taste of Place