ExtraVirgin Food and Travel: Recent Episodes
Natascha Mirosch
ExtraVirgin is a podcast for gourmands who love to travel and travellers who love good food. Join your host, food and travel journalist Natascha Mirosch, who has eaten her way around more than 60 countries, as she meets the passionate people who make wandering the world so rewarding and so very delicious.
Okay, 2024 might not officially be over but some of us are already planning a trip/s for 2025. In this podcast, the last for the year, travel writer Natascha Mirosch talks a little about where she visited in 2024 but also offer some suggestions of trips and destinations you might like to put on your wish list - from cruising the Amazon to a new Orient Express luxury train journey, visiting the home of the world’s most famous cartoon dog and more.
You'll find links to the places mentioned in the podcast on the ExtraVirgin Food & Travel website.
Sonya Gellert has the enviable job of being a full-time food writer.
She’s done a host of fabulous things throughout a career that's taken her from Australia to Japan, the UK and back to Australia. She's been a travel editor, restaurant reviewer, editorial food and drink writer, copywriter and recipe editor. She’s written for Table Magazine UK, Escape magazine, delicious Magazine, Vogue Living, Huffington Post and more and worked with food luminaries such as Rachel Khoo and Donna Hay.
We're going to hear about Sonja's career trajectory, what she likes to cook and eat, what makes a good recipe, her favourite cookbook and foodie travel destination, what are the most searched-for recipes and more.
Thanks to the incredible popularity of the show White Lotus, Sicily is red hot right now.
In this episode, Natascha Mirosch chats with Carmel Ruggeri, former restaurateur-turned-tour guide, who runs extremely popular tours to a part of Italy not only blessed with natural beauty, but some of the country's best regional cuisine (cannoli anyone?)
Carmel and Natascha chat about everything from the places you shouldn't miss, to the hand signs you should, never ever use, to the regional food specialities you just have to try.
Carmel tells it how it is, with humour and refreshing honesty, her love of Sicily shining through in this (very entertaining) episode.
Guy Grossi has carved out a distinguished career and made a significant contribution to the hospitality scene over the last forty years, both as a restaurateur and chef. In fact, in 1996, Guy was awarded the L'insegna Del Ristorante Italiano by no less than the president of Italy, for his dedication to presenting and promoting "La Cucina Italiana" and the Italian lifestyle.
He’s written four cookbooks and has been on a slew of television programs, from "Food Safari" and Iron Chef, to "My Kitchen Rules." He also runs a small empire of highly regarded restaurants countrywide, including his flagship, Grossi Florentino.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Natascha Mirosch and Guy chat all things food and hospitality, as well as Italian travel. They discuss why Italians don’t like penne lisce and the difference between fast and slow dried pasta, what’s wrong with the hospitality scene and how the financial crisis is affecting it, his favourite dishes from his Pugliese father and Venetian mother; who he'd invite and what he'd serve at a fantasy dinner party and more.
Guy also gives us some great Italy travel and food tips - from the Amalfi Coast to Florence and Puglia.
We've talked about those one Euro houses in Italy in a previous podcast (episode 81) but in this episode we’re about to revisit the subject (and the topic of buying property in Italy as a foreigner in general) with Michele Capecchi, a lawyer based in Florence, who has extensive experience in guiding foreigners through the red tape that is buying a property in Italy.
Michele is managing partner of Studio Legale Capecchi , teaches International Business Law at at the European School of Economics and has been a a legal columnist with The Florentine, the international magazine of the expat community in Florence for over 10 years.
Michele discusses with Natascha:
The positives and pitfalls of the one Euro homes scheme
The legalities of foreigner home ownership in Italy
Where are good places to buy?
How much are you likely to need to realistically spend, plus more.
If you're keen to find out how you can be enjoying la vita bella in Italy in your own home, you'll enjoy this episode.
And don't forget to sign up for the ExtraVirgin newsletter "The Olive," on the website.
Have you been thinking of (or dreaming about) taking an Antarctic cruise?
Cruising is huge and estimates have the cruise industry growing by another 9% in 2024.
For some regular cruisers, particularly those with large disposable incomes, the great white continent, represents just another an as-yet unexplored cruise destination to conquer.
For others, Antarctica is a long-cherished dream.
But what’s it really like? What can you expect on a cruise to Antarctica?
Natascha Mirosch puts that question to travel journalist Catherine Marshall, who has been to Antarctica not once, but twice.
They discuss the dreaded Drake Crossing, life on board an expedition ship, Antarctica’s wildlife and shore excursions. Catherine tells us about the fascinating post office at the end of the world, and the British post mistresses who come to this remote spot to man it as well as the time she had a polar swim.
They also talk about the environmental impacts and whether a visit can have a positive impact.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to cruise to Antarctica, have a listen.
We all know that getting out and communing with nature is good for both our body and our mental health, but where to start if you've never done any hiking but are keen to give it a go?
Trekking, hiking, tramping, rambling or just plain walking - whatever you call if and whatever you aspire to, whether it's a kilometre on a flat countryside track to conquering rugged terrain over multiple days, or even taking it easy with a Great Walk of Australia, it's an activity that most of us can achieve.
If, like ExtraVirgin host, Natascha, however, you have lots of questions: (Am I too old? Am I too unfit? is hiking hazardous? What gear do I need? What happens if I get lost?) then listen up, because our guest on this podcast will answer all those questions and more.
Among her many other talents., Caro Ryan is an expert bushwalker and search and rescue volunteer. She started her blog, LotsaFreshAir.com to inspire, teach and encourage people to get into hiking and the outdoors safely. It’s all about connecting people to wild places in meaningful ways, so they can look after themselves, their mates and these precious places we visit. She teaches wilderness navigation, authored the book, ‘How to Navigate - the art of traditional map & compass navigation in an Australian context’ and hosts, ‘Rescued - an Outdoor Podcast for Hikers and Adventurers.
In addition to imparting some incredibly useful (and potentially life-saving) tips, Caro shares her genuine passion for getting out in nature. We guarantee that she will inspire you to want to do the same.
www.extravirginfoodandtravel.com/podcast
Agnes Restaurant was recently awarded Restaurant of the Year by Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant. In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Natascha Mirosch chats with Agnes executive chef, Ben Williamson, who also co-owns other popular restaurants Same Same, Bianca, Honto and Agnes Bakery.
Western Australian-born Ben spent time travelling the Middle East, where he sharpenened his kitchen skills and learned about cooking from the heart - something that would become the cornerstone of his culinary philosophy.
On his return to Australia, he settled in Brisbane, working in some of the city's most highly regarded restaurants, including a lengthy tenture at Gerard's Bistro, where introduced the city to his modern re-imagining of the cuisine of The Levant, gaining the venue many accolades including two hats.
He then went on to establish Agnes, a wood-fired restaurant in a characterful, historic building; a restaurant generally regarded as the best in Brisbane.
In their chat, Natascha and Ben not only delve into his background, but discuss his food philosophy and influences, what he might have done differently in his career, food trends, where he likes to eat out, his future plans and more.
Is South America on your wish list but you worry it might be too challenging or unsafe?
In this episode, ExtraVirgin host, Natascha Mirosch who has just returned from 3 weeks in Uruguay, Argentina and Chile, shares her experiences. Her trip, travelling by plane, car and boat, starts in Santiago in Chile, where she visits an extraordinary museum and wanders the vibrant Yungay and Lastarria barrios. From there, she explores the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, with its unique architecture and excellent restaurants, as well another fascinating museum dedicated to a famous and tragic incident in Uruguayan history.
Then it’s onto a ferry across the widest river in the world, the Rio de la Plata to Buenos Aires. Here Natascha discovers the origins of the tango, visits Eva Peron at Recoleta cemetery and the balcony of ‘the pink palace’ where she gave her final speech to the Argentinian people. She does a walking tour of the colourful La Boca district, takes i a beautiful bookshop in a theatre and more.
In Patagonia, Natascha visits a glacier, attempts to hike up another one, gets up close with the iconic Fitz Roy, eats the world’s best lamb and drinks a liqueur made from a local berry in a bar at -15c.
From there, it’s onto the province of Mendoza, where she stays in a ‘dome with a view’ overlooking the Andes, visits a couple of wineries and has an unforgettable horse ride with a gaucho.
If you’ve thought of visiting South America, you’ll want to have a listen as Natascha shares the details of her new favourite destination.
Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses when we travel, but what if you could travel almost anywhere in the world and stay for free?
Our guest on this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel tells us how. Fiona Ryan has done more than a dozen exchanges, temporarily swapping her home in Brisbane, Australia for one in cities such as Helsinki or Barcelona.
Fiona, who's a volunteer regional coordinator with the world's oldest home exchange program, the not-for-profit "Intervac," chats with host Natascha Mirosch about how it's done; the multiple benefits of changing homes with someone and gives us her tips, gained from fifteen years’ experience.
So if you've got itchy feet, but not necessarily the budget for that holiday you’re dreaming of, this episode is for you.
This episode of Extra Virgin Food and Travel's "Postcards,"comes to you from the Republic of Ireland's capital, Dublin.
Our guide is Louise Slyth, who's originally from Scotland but has made this enchanting city her home.
Louise shows us around 'her' Dublin, her favourite galleries and museums, parks and pubs. She tells us the best places to shop and shares with us her recommendations of where to eat and drink - from simple fish and chips to sophisticated modern Irish; a pint of guiness to a classic cocktail.
So, whether you're planning a trip to Dublin or simply daydreaming of a future visit, have a listen, as our guide Louise shows us where to find the craic in Dublin. You can also follow Louise on instgram at @louiseslyth_writer.
And if you've enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast platform.
Welcome back to another episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel Podcast. In this episode, we're embarking on an extraordinary journey to an enchanting travel destination, where east meets west (literally) and history and flavours are equally complex - Istanbul, Türkiye.
Chatting with host Natascha Mirosch, is intrepid travel writer and cultural connoisseur, Lisa Morrow. Lisa has spent more than 15 years living in and exploring this captivating city, and today, she's here to be our guide through Istanbul’s culinary and cultural treasures.
The city, which spreads across two continents, is a top travel destination that entices with its aromas, seduces with its history, and leaves an indelible mark on visitors’ hearts. It’s a place where ancient traditions collide with modern trends, and where every bite tells a story.
So, join us as we explore this city's rich history, vibrant culture, and, of course, its irresistible cuisine with Lisa Morrow. It's a journey full of wanderlust-inducing experiences, from traversing the bustling bazaars, to learning about Lisa’s favourite places to eat and drink and how she likes to spend her time in this most enigmatic of cities.
Being credited with having "the Midas touch" is one thing that riles the seemingly unflappable Tony Kelly. His journey from young apprentice to owning ten successful Sunshine Coast hospitality businesses has been far from easy, nor linear - there have not only been set-backs and hard times, but also periods of intense self-doubt, the chef-turned-restaurateur admits.
Today though, Kelly is recognised as a tour de force, a game-changer on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, where he employs around 400 people across his group's businesses, that include the incredibly popular "Rice Boi." "Bocca Italian" and newly opened "RB."
In this episode, ExtraVirgin Food and Travel host Natascha Mirosch talks to Tony about his earliest years working in hotels, cruise ships and fine diners. They discuss how he manages to steer his hospitality juggernaut and his most memorable meals, she canvasses his opinion on hats, stars and the Michelin Guide, the best advice he's ever received and finds out who he'd invite to dinner.
Even if you've not heard of Tony Kelly or dined in one of his establishments, it's guaranteed you'll enjoy listening to Natascha's chat with this modest and very open chef-turned-businessman.
Sommelier, importer and wine writer Jane Lopes reckons that Australia is making the most exciting wines in the world right now, and ExtraVirgin podcast host Natascha Mirosch, while she could be accused of being a little biased, agrees.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel Podcast, Jane and Natascha discuss Jane's background - including the soul-destroying experience of passing, then having her consort's Master Sommelier exam nullified; her newly released book: How to Drink Australian, co-written with her husband, Jonathan Ross and how a Californian-born, Nashville-dwelling American developed such a passion for Australian wine.
Jane also tips us off on one of her favourite great-value Australian wines, her "death row" Australian choice and her favourite Australian wine region.
Whether you already know how great Australian wines are, or have zero experience with them, pour yourself a glass of wine and have a listen.
Cin Cin!
Heading to London? There's a lot more to the city than Buckingham palace and Big Ben. Our guest on this episode of "Postcards," is Che-Marie Trigg, a freelance writer and editor. In February 2023 she relocated from Sydney to London for the second time – she spent two years living and working in the English capital in 2017 and 2018, and has been in the city's grip ever since.
In this Postcard, Che Marie shows us her London, sharing her favourite places to eat and drink, off-the-tourist-track sights, including museums and parks (including one with a swimming pond!) and much more. So whether London is an upcoming holiday destination for you, or you're just armchair travelling, sit back and enjoy this postcard from London.
What could possibly be wrong with volunteering in an orphanage for a week of your holiday? Should you reconsider taking that Antarctic cruise?
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel, Natascha Mirosch talks with Freya Higgins- Desbiolles, an academic in the field of tourism and co-editor of the recent books Socialising Tourism: Rethinking Tourism for Social and Ecological Justice (2022)and The Local Turn in Tourism: Empowering Communities (2023).
First up they discuss the bad news- the effect that our love of travel is having on the planet and its people. Then the positive - the destinations making change to both protect their tourism industry and empower the people who work in it. They wrap the episode up with practical steps you can take to be a more respectful traveler.
"Be curious. Willing to dig and learn and be engaged," says Freya Higgins Desbiolles.
Good advice in an episode that is essential for listeners who want to know the back story to the feel-good production that is travel and what they can do to make it a more equitable and enriching experience for all - not just the traveller.
Italians have what is indisputably the best cuisine and lifestyle in the world, right?
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel, Natascha Mirosch talks with Silvestro Silvestori, owner and director of cooking school The Awaiting Table, in the beautiful baroque city of Lecce, in Italy's south about how to cook and eat like an Italian.
Rich in cooking tips and fascinating facts about this highly regional cuisine, this episode is essential listening for anyone who loves Italy and Italian food.
Buon appetito!
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel podcast, we hear from travel and food journalist Belinda Luksic, who left her home in Australian in December to live in Split, in Croatia.
For this postcard from her adopted town, Belinda shares what's so special about Split, its beautiful coastline and nearby islands, the ancient palace and atmospheric old town, packed with cafes, galleries and homely restaurants.
She tells us about her favourite places to eat and drink, how she likes to spend her weekend and shares tips only a local would know.
So whether you're planning a trip or just armchair travelling, sit back, relax and enjoy this postcard from Split.
What is wrong with our food system? What's threatening food security? Covid and food shortages highlighted one aspect - the supply chain, and climate change is showing us another. There is an urgent need to fundamentally transform the way we farm, shop and cook - it's no longer enough to just try to maintain the status quo, but instead, we need to realise the abundance is finite and adopt a regenerative approach.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel, Natascha Mirosch talks to Jade Miles, CEO of The Sustainable Table, author, podcaster and regenerative farmer about what's wrong with our food systems, what they're doing as an organisation, life on her farm and how we as consumers can do our bit.
The Great Barrier Reef, at 2300 kms (1400 miles) is almost twice the length of Italy. It's pristine southern end, just four hours drive, or a short flight from Brisbane, however remains a bit of a secret yet is no less spectacular than the tourist hot-spots off Cairns.
For this episode of ExtraVirgin, we travel to one of the southern islands, where we hear from Amy Gash, whose family caretake a spectactular coral cay where you can step into the coral gardens from the beach and swim with turtles, manta rays the size of small cars, reef sharks and a rainbow of fish.
Amy and Natascha talk about the health of the reef, what it's like to grow up with an island as your playground and the measures her family are taking to ensure the island continues to be a leader in sustainable tourism.
Well, some of them!
This year has produced a bumper crop of fantastic cookbooks - way too many to give love to in a podcast, so Natascha Mirosch has picked out a few of her favourites from 2022. Some are already sauce splattered and dog-eared, others waiting their turn, but she reckons all are a little bit special - from books that will help nip food wastage in the bud, to easy "Chinese-ish" recipes, a history of food though English puddings and more.
If you're looking for the perfect gift for the foodie in your life, or even you want to give a hint to loved one for your own Christmas present, have a listen.
Did you know that Berlin has more bridges than Venice?
Or that has a 160km bike trail along the former Berlin wall? Or that vintage shopping and "textile free" bathing are big?
You'll learn more about these topics, plus where to eat, drink and play in this exciting, creative city in this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel's Postcard.
So whether you're planning a trip to Berlin, or just armchair travelling, listen in as lifestyle writer Cindy Brzostowski shares with us the very best bits of her adopted city.
All over Italy, in tiny mountain and seaside villages, elderly women are making pasta by hand, as their mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers did before them.
But with a shrinking world with accessibility to prepackaged food and supermarkets, and an ever-elderly population of nonnas, it's a dying art. Since 2014, however, Vicky Bennison has taken it upon herself to document it. She launched "Pasta Grannies" on Youtube in 2014 and so far has produced more than 400 episodes to a fan base of more than two million.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Natascha Mirosch talks with Vicky, who's just released her second Pasta Grannies cookbook, about what it's like to have access to these wonderful women and document their lives, the pasta (and life!) tips she picked up on the way and more.
Ola! This ExtraVirgin Postcard comes from the beautiful capital of Portugal - Lisbon, one of Europe's oldest cities.
Tour guide, travel and food writer and blogger Daniela Sunde-Brown moved to the city in 2018.
In this postcard, Daniela shares with us the best of her adopted city, from the miradores offering the best views of the city, to where to eat and drink, including the famous Portuguese tarts, grilled fish and the slightly sparkling 'green' wines.
If you're planning to visit Lisbon or looking for European travel inspiration, you'll love this episode.
In April 2022, chef Adam Wolfers was riding his bike when he was struck down by a stroke, at just 38.
He lost movement on one side of his body, his sense of taste and had to learn to do the everyday things he once took for granted all over again.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, Natascha Mirosch catches up with this talented chef, who's worked under Wylie Dufresne in New York, and at the 3 Michelin -starred Quique Dacosta in Spain, in addition to a raft of hatted restaurants in Australia.
They discuss how he's doing, what such a life-changing event has taught him, mental and physical health in the hospitality industry, his foodie heroes and more.
If you'd like to support ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast and keep us ad-free, you can do so for as little as the price of a coffee here.
New York City. "Everybody is here and everything is here for you. A lot of people are here to live out their dreams and make wonderful things happen."
So says our guest in this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast's "Postcard," Dena Levitz.
Event organiser, yoga teacher and travel journalist, New Yorker Dena shows us her New York, taking us on an in-depth virtual tour.
She tells us about little-known museums, parks and markets. How you can attend a private music event at a local's home or an unsual piano bar where the guests join in as well as comedy clubs and cocktail bars.
And with a professional interest in food, Dena generously shares her extensive knowledge - from where to get New York's best bagel to "bacon egg and cheese," at a local bodega; what she reckons are the best dosa outside India, as well her favorite restaurants, delis and much, much more.
I nearly cancelled the whole thing, I really did. Mid-2022 and I'd booked a trip in September to France and Italy and it was causing me high anxiety.
The world is in turmoil. The Covid crisis seems to be easing, but is it? Will I get stuck away from home like so many others? What about the war in Ukraine? What about work, how can I be away that long?
But I went and found the world still a beautiful place and that I still loved to travel.
Join me for this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel, where I tell you a little about my recent trip.
And keep an eye out for an upcoming newsletter about places to stay, where to eat, and what to do in all of the places I visited. You can subscribe via the website: www.extravirginfoodandtravel.com
Laura Thayer is living a life most of us could only dream of.
An American by birth, Laura is a travel writer based on Italy's Amalfi Coast. In this postcard, Laura shows us around her Amalfi, a place that won her heart in 2007. She shares everything from her favourite beach, to where to buy the best pastries, how to get around to avoid the traffic and some surprising history about Amalfi. As you'd expect from a guidebook writer, this postcard is rich with expert tips, so if you're planning a trip to this beautiful part of Italy, you'll definitely want to listen to this first. A few of the places Laura mentions are: Aceto family lemon farm Pasticceria Pansa Ristorante Marina Grande Lido Azzurro: Arsenale and Museum: Paper Museum: And go to the show notes on the ExtraVirgin Food & Travel webpage for info on how you can follow Laura.
Italy. Art, culture, history. They're some of the topics Natascha Mirosch discusses with Dr Kathleen Olive, cultural historian, university lecturer and tour leader.
They discuss her first trip to Florence as a young PHD student, the best places to visit in Italy for art and culture lovers, how she'd spend 10 days in Italy and much more,
If you love Italy, art, history and culture, this is the episode for you.
This ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Postcard wings its way to us from one of the world's most multicultural cities, Toronto, Canada.
Our guest is lifestyle journalist Maryam Saddiqi who shares everything she loves about her city; from its lively art scene, to heritage districts and green spaces, its residents’ love of sports, the live music scene, and of course, with the city about to get its own Michelin Guide, the fantastic food scene.
Maryam recommends everything from a local wine you should try, to a farmers’ market to visit, tells us why you should jump on a ferry to explore Toronto’s islands and the best spot for a sunset view of the city.
We also learn a few fascinating facts - Toronto’s Young Street is the longest street in the world. And if you want to pass as a local, you’ll drop the second ‘t’ in ‘Toronto’ and pronounce it “Tor-on-o.”
Here are just a few of the places Maryam mentions - listen for the comprehensive guide full of her insider tips.
Bar Pompette https://www.pompette.ca/barpompette
Evergreen Brick Works https://www.evergreen.ca/evergreen-brick-works/
Bang Bang https://bang-bang-ice-cream-bakery.square.site/
Good Behaviour https://goodbehaviourto.ca/
Ba Noi https://ba-noi.myshopify.com/
Alo https://alofoodgroup.com/
Terroni https://www.terroni.com/
Patois https://www.patoistoronto.com/
Distillery District https://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/
Her classes sell out within minutes of being open for bookings; she is a regular guest chef on Masterchef and she has her own television programme, The Chocolate Queen.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, Natascha Mirosch talks with "The Chocolate Queen" herself, renowned patissiere, owner of Savour Cooking School and international pastry judge, Kirsten Tibballs.
Kirsten talks about how she started at business at the tender age of 12, how she established her cooking school, now celebrating its 20th year and shares some very useful tips for wannabe bakers- from a breakdown of different chocolate types to her favourite cream; common mistakes cooks make and what equipment you need in your home kitchen to be a better baker.
So, cut yourself a nice big slice of chocolate cake, grab a a coffee and have a listen.
Travel writer Ute Junker travels all over the world, but it's Sydney, Australia she comes home to.
In this ExtraVirgin Food & Travel "Postcard," Ute generously shares her insider knowledge of one of the world's most beautiful cities; from its architecture to the culture, history, and of course, Sydney's fantastic food and drink scene. You'll hear about:
- The best coastal and bush walks, right in the city
- Where you'll find a revamped historic precinct packed with great bars and restaurants
- Sydney's coastal swimming pools
- Where to find a former reservoir turned into a garden
- The city's rich cultural life
- Eating and drinking: from catching a seaplane to lunch, to fish and chips by the sea
- Where to find deserted beaches and a secret garden
And so much more.
Ute's genuine love for her city is evident in every word and we reckon wherever you are in the world, you'll be looking up fares to Sydney by the end of this episode.
Are you a planner or do you prefer to wing it when you travel?
ExtraVirgin host Natascha Mirosch is definitely one of the former and in this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast, she tells us why she prefers to leave nothing to chance.
Natascha also shares her tips and tricks; from getting the best out of frequent flyer points, to how to increase your chances of getting an empty seat next to you on the plane. She tells us about the sites she uses when planning her trips and shares a couple of distasters that saw her carefully laid plans go pear-shaped.
Nicole Brewer is from Detroit, Michigan, but now lives in the small town of Nizwa, just over an hour from the Oman capital, Muscat where she's a university teacher of English and a published author.
Famous for its souks and its silver as well as traditional wooden sailing boats, called dhow, its deserts and beautiful beaches, as well as its warm, friendly people, Oman is a pearl that tourists are just now starting to discover, Nicole says.
In this "Postcard," we learn a little bit about life in Oman and in Nicole's adopted hometown of Nizwa; from the Friday goat market to touring the nearby mountains by 4-wheel drive, taking in a show at the opera house, shopping, or sampling the local cuisine.
If you're a keen traveller, it's a good bet that you have a Frommer's Guide or two on your bookshelf.
The highly respected guidebooks have been around since 1957 and the company is still family- owned.
In this podcast, Natascha Mirosch talks with New Yorker Pauline Frommer, co-president of Frommer's Media, award winning-travel writer and editorial director of of Frommer's guidebooks, podcast host and daughter of Arthur Frommer who published that first guide, the seminal "Europe on $5 a day."
They discuss those early days and what prompted Arthur, a lawyer by trade, to go into the publishing business and what place guidebooks have into today's world and into the future.
This is a really fun and informative episode if you’ve ever wondered about the life of a travel writer (spoiler alert – there’s not a lot of sitting around hotel pools sipping cocktails.) Pauline shares what it’s like to have to write fast and fearlessly, to stay at a different hotel every night, haunt nightclubs until 3 in the morning and sometimes eat 2 dinners in a single night.
There’s also some fantastic insider intel about her home city, New York – from where to stay, to her favourite café plus what you can safely exclude from your NYC bucket list.
Our guest on this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcard lives an enviable life in La Paz on the Bay of California in Mexico.
Travel writer Kristen Gill fell in love with the town on a work trip and made it her mission to move there. Now, as she tells us, she rides her bike along The Malecón, goes down to the seafront of a morning to watch the fishermen return with their catch, hikes in the desert and explores secluded islands with crystal clear water. All in a place where it only rains for 5 days of the year.
And of course, there is the seafood - from fish tacos to local shellfish, marlin and tuna, served with Mexican brio and washed down with a 'Balena' - a beer named for the region's most famous visitors - its whales.
If you've visited La Paz, you'll enjoy reminiscing while listening to Kristen. If you haven't been, you'll be packing your bags by the end of the episode.
Writer and editor Julie Kleeman was on a hill in Dharamshala photographing monkeys when she met Yeshi Jampa. Yeshi had grown up in a semi-nomadic family in northern Tibet, living a traditional lifestle, taking care of their many animals.
At 19, he made his way over the Himalayas in an arduous 24-day journey to the Indian town, now home to the exiled Dalai Lama.
Their chance meeting saw love bloom, and the couple now live in Oxford with their two children, own a Tibetan restaurant and have just published their first book - Taste Tibet - Family Recipes from the Himalayas, based on Yeshi's recipes.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, we hear not only about life in the highest country in the world, but all about the historical and geographic influences of its cuisine and how fate bought this couple, from such very different cultures to meet on that hilltop.
Venice has been on the wishlist of travellers for centuries, but in this postcard, we're taking a tour of a Venice way beyond St Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge or the Grand Canal.
Artist and writer Allison Zurfluh lives on the island of Burano, in the northern section of the Venice lagoon.
Passionate about her adopted home, she tells us a little of the history of the lagoon's islands and shares some of her favourite things to see, do and taste - from taking an excursion on a traditional boat with a local fisherman to where to eat the best seafood, how to do a cicchetti crawl like a local, where to go to visit an island winery, a lace museum or call in on friars living a monastic life on another island.
Whether you've never been to Venice, or you're a regular, this view from the lagoon will give you an entirely different perspective of La Serenissima.
Are you a foodie planning a trip to Australia? Or a local just looking to add to your dining bucket list? In either case, you'll want to listen to this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel.
Our guests are Joanna Hunkin, editor of Australian Gourmet Traveller, and restaurant critic at The Australian newspaper, John Lethlean.
You'll find out what Joanna reckons is Australia's 'most fun' restaurant and which formal diner John was forced to eat at on his own.
Both Joanna and John generously share their extensive knowledge, nominating what they believe to be the best restaurants around Australia.
Thailand's capital, Bangkok is a large, sprawling city best known for its river, ornate temples and delicious street food.
Our guest, Wisrute Buddhari has lived in Bangkok most of his life. Not only does he share the best time of the year to visit and what to see and do; from temple hopping to viewing the city from a boat on the Chao Praya river, as well as a secret beach only locals know about, but this keen foodie let's us in on some of his favourite places to eat and drink. Have a listen to discover:
- Where to get the best roast goose in the city
- Where to go for Thai beef noodles
- Which markets locals shop at
- Where to find the best beef ribs
- Where to eat regional Thai food
- A vineyard just out of Bangkok
You'll find links to these and more in the show notes at: www.extravirginfoodandtravel.com
Have you ever taken a trip that changed your life? ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast host and travel writer Natascha Mirosch certainly has.
In this episode, Natascha shares five destinations that have had a huge impact on her life.
She reads from her diary, written as a 20 year old on her first overseas trip as an adult, explains how she came to understand her roots better on a short break in an eastern European city, shares what happened on a Greek island that changed her life in a way she could never, ever have foreseen, talks about a deeply spiritual experience and how another destination saved her ailing health.
It's a deeply intimate episode, examining how travelling can often offer up the most unexpected and precious gifts.
Headed to California? Or just California dreaming? Los Angeles is far more than just Hollywood, as this "Postcard" episode guest, Wendy Lee explains.
Wendy, who has a blog, Empty Nesters Hit the Road, shares with us some of her favourite things to see and do in Los Angeles - you might be surprised to find out what a rich multicultural and cultural city Los Angeles is.
Wendy tells us about its theatres and galleries, its green spaces and mountain hikes, as well as its 76 miles of shoreline. She also shares secrets about LA’s ethnic neighbourhoods and street art, food markets, roof top bars and her favourite restaurants.
So, whether you’re planning a trip, or just armchair travelling, enjoy this tip-packed Postcard from Los Angeles.
Parks
https://www.laparks.org/griffithpark/
https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/angeles/recreatin/hiking
Eating and Drinking
https://www.sunnongdan.net/
https://www.olvera-street.com/
https://redbird.la/
https://thefactorykitchen.com/
https://www.manuela-la.com/
Theatres and Galleries
https://www.lacma.org/
https://www.thebroad.org/
https://www.getty.edu/
https://www.centertheatregroup.org/
http://www.pantagestheatre.net/
A Weekend in LA
https://artsdistrictla.org/
https://www.grandcentralmarket.com/
https://rowdtla.com/
https://la.smorgasburg.com/
No-one can deny the effects climate change is having on our oceans, with temperatures and sea levels rising.
The world's biggest reef, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, is the canary in the coal mine and right now its health is of serious concern.
The good news is, that while politicians argue about the way forward vis a vis climate change, scientists and tourism operators in Australia have partnered up to develop a stewardship program, the Coral Nurture Project with the goal to transform both ecological and social resilience to environmental change.
Part of this, is a unique 'coral gardening' project, sucessfully growing and replanting coral onto the reef.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel ,
Natascha Mirosch talks with David Suggett, a marine biologist and professor in the Climate Change Cluster at the University of Technology of Sydney, who heads the Future Reefs program, about the propects of The Great Barrier Reef.
If you've ever dived or snorkled among the spectacular corals and marine life of The Great Barrier Reef, you'll want to listen to this.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel "Postcards," we travel to Marrakech, Morocco's fabled pink city and a recent location star in the popular "Inventing Anna," Netflix series.
Our guest is Amanda Ponzio-Mouttaki who has lived in Marrakech for the past 9 years, running her own food tour company.
Amanda shares what she recommends visitors to her city do, including :
- Enjoying the souks - Getting a hammam - Chilling on a rooftop - Visiting a desert camp in the Agafay Desert - Going to the High Atlas Mountains (skiing in Oukaimden) She also tells us about some of her favourite places to eat and drink, including; - Plus 61 - Mes'lalla at the Mandarin Oriental - Dar el Bacha Cafe - Entrepote - L'envers - Kabana And she gives an invaluable tip that can have you sunning yourself by the pool and lunching at some of the city's most expensive and luxurious hotels, for a fraction of the price. Whether this exotic north African city is on your bucket list or not; whether you're in the middle of planning a trip, or just armchair travelling, sit back, relax and let this Postcard from Marrakech take you away.
Q. Where can you see kangaroos on a beach? Sleep under the water in the middle of the world's most colourful reef? Stalk 50kg birds in an ancient forest, rent your own private isalnd, kayak one of only two everglades in the world, or learn how to spear fish with a First Nation guide?
**A**. Queensland - home to a rich diversity of wildlife, beautful beaches, perfect weather and a vibrant and delicious food and wine scene. So is this Australian State *really* the best place in the world to vacation?
Our guest, Shelley Winkel, reckons it's so and ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast host (and proud Queensland resident) Natascha Mirosch is inclined to agree.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Shelley, consumer PR leader for Australia and New Zealand with Tourism and Events Queensland, intrepid adventurer and passionate local, shares her deep knowledge of her home State - from her top 3 road trips, to secrets like where you can swim with turtles and dwarf minke whales, help scientists piece together dinosaur bones, have a free tour of the capital tailored to your own interests and toboggan sand dunes, as well as her favorite places to eat and drink and much more.
The island city-state of Singapore is sometimes dismissed by travellers as being a little 'sterile,' however, this postcard from expat Gaynor Reid, who's lived there for the past 9 years, shows us a completely different Singapore - one that boasts a plethora of green spaces and wildlife, history, street art and artisan boutiques. Gaynor shares with us her favourite walks, rooftop bars to catch the legendary sunsets and places to eat, from the famous hawker stalls to Michelin-starred fine diners.
So, whether you're planning a trip, or just armchair travelling, let this ExtraVirgin postcard take you away.
A little different, this one - just like my guest (and friend) Carmel Ruggeri, an Australian-Sicilian and former restaurateur turned tour guide.
If you listened to the previous ExtraVirgin Food and Travel episode with Rubia Daniels, who bought 3 houses in Mussomeli in Sicily, your interest in the region may well have been piqued.
This episode will answer your questions about this very unique part of Italy - from the places you shouldn't miss, to the hand signs you should, never ever use, to the regional food specialities you just have to try.
Carmel tells it how it is, with humour and refreshing honesty, her love of Sicily shining through in this entertaining episode.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcards, we visit Nice, on France's beautiful Côte d'Azur.
Our guest, Madelyne Prowse takes us on a colourful and delicious tour of her adopted home town; from the seaside promenade to hiking trails in the hills; secret beaches to the best beach bars. She shares with us her favourite places to eat, drink and how to best experience Nice like a Niçoise.
You've probably seen something about it on the news - Italian towns offering 1 Euro houses for sale.
If you were an Italophile, it may have given you pause - the optimist in you imaging a life of long lunches beneath a trellis of vines, before you dimissed the offer as too good to be true.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, we talk with Rubia Daniels ,who spent the grand total of 3 euro on not just one, but 3 properties in the town of Mussomeli in Sicily.
What exactly are the strings? How much are you likely to end up spending? How difficult is the process? And most importantly, can you really live la dolce vita for 1 euro?
Our ExtraVirgin postcard this episode wings its way to you from beautiful Byron Bay on Australia's east coast - home to Hemsworths, hippies, and our guest, Georgia Bateman.
A Londoner by birth, Georgia, who had been based in Sydney, came for a weekend, fell in love and never left.
In this postcard, she explains the magnetic pull of Byron - from its laid back lifestyle to superb surf breaks. We hear about her favourite things to do and her top picks of where to eat, drink and party.
So whether you're planning a trip, or just armchair travelling, let this ExtraVirgin Postcard take you away.
Imagine if the view from your workplace was of palm trees and the Coral Sea? That's the good fortune of Nick Holloway, chef-ower of Nu Nu Restaurant in tropical north Queensland.
Nick left big-city Melbourne searching for authenticity and found it in spades in this lush, laidback village of Palm Cove, north of Cairns.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, we talk to Nick about the unique produce and producers of the tropical north, what it's like to cook in paradise, the meaning of "barefoot luxury," and much more.
It's best known as the home of iconic wineries such as Penfolds and Seppelt, but there's so much more to South Australia's capital, Adelaide than its wineries (or its churches!)
Our local, for this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel's "Postcard" is food and travel writer Amanda McInerney, who shares with us her favourite festivals, walks, restaurants, markets, cultural events and, yes wineries, as well as some great insider tips (caviar and vodka trolley anyone?)
If you're planning on visiting this beautiful city, you'll want to take notes - because you couldn't get a more knowledgeable or generous virtual guide than Amanda. But even if you're just armchair travelling, sit back and enjoy this Postcard from Adelaide.
If you listened to episode 64 of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast, "Love in the Time of Covid," you'll be familiar with Monique Ceccato's story.
Not long after that episode went live, Monique and her love, Espen were parted again, separated by the Covid regulations of their respective countries. She, on a plane back to Australia, while he remained in Norway.
In this episode we follow up with Monique to find out the fate of their long-distance relationship, in a time when you can no longer just jump on a plane.
On this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel, our postcard comes from sunny Brisbane. Australia's third largest city has been the home of freelance writer Jennifer Johnston for most of her life.
Jen shares with us her favourite walks and cycling routes, its galleries, book stores, the best places to enjoy a cocktail or beer with city views and much more.
So, whether you're planning a future trip, or just armchair travelling, let this postcard take you away.
Have you every dreamed about owning a gorgeous country cottage, historic chateau or sophisticated city pad in France?
Suzanna Clarke, a New Zealander formerly based in Australia, has made her home in Fez in Morocco, splitting her time between there and France since 2007 when she bought her first apartment in Bordeaux. Having just added to her property portfolio with a sprawling country property, she's intending to move there with her husband and children soon.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Natascha Mirosch talks to Suzanna about the pleasures and pitfalls of property ownership in France.
They talk about the best (and worst) value regions, how much you'll actually need to buy something, what to beware of and much more.
This episode of ExtraVirgin Postcard wings its way to you from the beautiful tourist hotspot of the Gold Coast, on Australia's east coast.
Our guest, Karen Inglis runs food tours from her home suburb of Burleigh, so she's perfectly placed to give us all the intel on the best places to eat and drink.
Karen also tells us about the Gold Coast's cool green hinterland and its famous beaches, where to go for panoramic views, seafood fresh from the trawler and much more.
What are the best foods to put in your shopping basket for your health and for the planet? Is it necessary to cut out meat or go organic?
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, Natascha Mirosch asks those questions and more, of bestselling author and 'ultimate gentle activist' Alexx Stuart. They discuss how dietary advice (including the food pyramid model) was hijacked and how many farmers came to depend on unsustainable farming methods. But they also look at the positive changes that are undoing those decades of misinformation and unhealthy growing practices - from regenerative farming to minimising waste and how each one of us can play a part by making even the smallest of changes to how we think about food.
It's one of Australia's most loved holiday destinations - for good reason. Noosa in Queensland, Australia, is home to some of the country's most unspoiled coastal landscapes, with forest-fringed beaches, tranquil rivers, and even one of only two everglade systems in the world.
This postcard comes from magazine editor Deb Caruso, who's called Noosa home for around 20 years. Deb gives us all the local intel - from where to catch the best waves, to where to top up your all-over tan, as well as all her favourite, drinking, eating and sunset spots.
So sit back, relax and let this ExtraVirgin Postcard transport you to beautiful Noosa.
Do you want to be a food writer? Do you think you have what it takes to have your food stories published in magazines or newspapers? Or, perhaps you’re an instagrammer or blogger keen to polish your food writing skills?
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel Podcast, Natascha Mirosch talks to Barbara Sweeney, a food writer, former food guide editor, writing teacher and organiser of Australia’s only food writing festival, 'Food & Words.'
We discuss everything from how to pitch to an editor, how to be a better writer, restaurant reviewing and other food writing genres, and even what you might expect to be paid as a professional freelance food writer.
This episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Postcards comes from Dubrovnik in Croatia.
Working as a tour guide, location scout and photographer, our guest, Ivan Vukovic couldn't be better placed to share the insider secrets of this beautiful medieval walled city on the Adriatic.
Ivan tells us about his favourite restaurants, off-the-beaten-track but "must-see" sights and shares lots of useful tips.
So, whether you're planning a visit or just armchair travelling, come along with us to Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Most of us have stayed in an airbnb once in our lives, but have you ever thought about what it would be like to run one yourself?
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast, Natascha Mirosch talks with Lucy Cousins, owner of the gorgeous "The Artist's Cottage," in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney Australia.
They discuss the everything from why you'd do it, to how to do it, - the perks and the pitfalls of airbnb ownership, including Lucy's own experiences - from nearly losing the cottage to bushfire, to being gifted paintings of naked guests.
Brooklyn-born Jewells Chambers, the creator and host of the award-winning All Things Iceland podcast and YouTube channel met her husband Gunnar when she was in college, more than a decade ago. In 2016, she moved to be with him in his home city of Reykjavik in Iceland.
In this ExtraVirgin Postcard, she tells us what it's like to go from living in a city of more than 8 million to one of less than 125,000. Despite its small size, however, Jewells says there is a lot to offer in Reykjavik, including a strong music and art scene.
If you're interested in visiting Iceland, or just want to know more, this Postcard will bring you up to speed thanks to Jewell's unique, quirky and very informed insider's view on everything from the country's geological wonders to why you'll be on your own if you hit the nightclub before midnight.
Do know what a food stylist is and what they actually do? Are you a good cook or is the kitchen a place of trepidation and anxiety?
In this epsiode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, Natascha Mirosch talks with Lucy Tweed, author of cookbook Every Night of the Week and a professional food stylist who both gives us a peek into the life of a food stylist, as well as offering solutions to kitchen conundrums.
Natascha and Lucy discuss essential kitchen kit, what to have to hand in the pantry and fridge, typical cooking mistakes and how to make your food look good.
A busy mum of three kids, Lucy offers us plenty of down-to-earth tips and tricks as to how we can all be better cooks, whether we're raw beginners or confident in the kitchen.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcards, we visit The Eternal City - Rome. Our guide is Erica Firpo, an Italo-American travel and lifestyle journalist and editor, author and podcaster at 'Ciao Bella,' who has called Rome, "home" for the past 18 years. Erica shows us around 'her' Rome, pointing out its ancient architecture, history and cultural delights and epicurean riches. She reveals some of the surprises of Rome, like its futuristic architecture, its large green spaces and famous artworks found in unlikely places. She tells us the best places to eat specialities such like carbonara or suppli, and how to best experience "la dolce vita."
Konnichiwa! Whether you love Japan or are planning your first visit, you need to listen to this episode!
We have not one, but two guests, both of whom have lived in Japan.
Amanda Kendle, travel writer, social media lecturer and podcaster at The Thoughtful Travel Podcast was an English teacher in Japan, while Jane Lawson, cook book author and travel writer who also lived there, now leads tours to the country.
In this fun, tip-filled episode we discover their favourite places to visit, eat and stay and how to navigate the sometimes confusing cultural mores of this fascinating country.
Our guest on ExtraVirgin Postcards this episode is Noriko Silvester, the owner of a design communication company in Toyko, Japan.
Noriko lives in Komae, in the Western section of Tokyo metropolis. It is, she tells us, a very safe, green and peaceful part of Tokyo, famous for its movie studios and the local and international actors who frequent it.
Noriko tells us about a few of her favourite restaurants, shopping areas, museums and parks, how she spends her weekends and urges visitors to Tokyo to get out into the suburbs to see how Japanese people live.
So whether you're planning a visit or just armchair travelling, let this postcard from Tokyo take you away.
Hospitality has notoriously low profit margins, so it can be hard to justify spending money (and time) promoting your business. But in this ultra-competitive age, it's a necessity in order to stay in the public eye. In this special bonus episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast, with Brooke Burns, owner of Savannah PR and one of Australia's most experienced hospitality PR professionals, we look at the options of DIY and low-cost solutions to publicising your hospitality business. Brooke has kindly shared her extensive knowledge, and she and Natascha discuss the following: * Branding * Websites * How to do your own social media * Are phone photos good enough? * Approaching the media - print and online * What makes a solid story * Should you consider paying for content? * Is influencer marketing worth the investment? How much does it cost, and how do you choose the right one? * How to deal with negative reviews * What paid PR can and can't do for your business and how to measure success and more. Brooke also has her own PR podcast The PR Pod which, while it's aimed at PR Professionals, has plenty more useful tips you can apply to your business. This is a particularly practical and value-packed podcast, especially for hospitality venues, whether you're a cafe owner, restaurateur, bar or caterer.
Hospitality has notoriously low profit margins, so it can be hard to justify spending money (and time) promoting your business. But in this ultra-competitive age, it's a necessity in order to stay in the public eye. In this special bonus episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast, with Brooke Burns, owner of Savannah PR and one of Australia's most experienced hospitality PR professionals, we look at the options of DIY and low-cost solutions to publicising your hospitality business. Brooke has kindly shared her extensive knowledge, and she and Natascha discuss the following: * Branding * Websites * How to do your own social media * Are phone photos good enough? * Approaching the media - print and online * What makes a solid story * Should you consider paying for content? * Is influencer marketing worth the investment? How much does it cost, and how do you choose the right one? * How to deal with negative reviews * What paid PR can and can't do for your business and how to measure success and more. Brooke also has her own PR podcast The PR Pod which, while it's aimed at PR Professionals, has plenty more useful tips you can apply to your business. This is a particularly practical and value-packed podcast, especially for hospitality venues, whether you're a cafe owner, restaurateur, bar or caterer.
Since the 1950s, Los Cabos, at the very southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, (the original California) has attracted big names from Hollywood.
Today, it welcomes everyone and in this episode, our ExtraVirgin Postcard guest and passionate local, Rodrigo Esponda, shares his tips on this beautiful part of the world.
Rodrigo tells us about the rich marine life inhabiting both the Sea of Cortés and the Pacific Ocean, including 5 different species of whales and giant rays; where to find wild, deserted beaches, and stunning desert landscapes, as well as more manmade pleasures - from Cabo's creatives, to his recommendations on where to go for the region's best food and drink - from street tacos to top-shelf bars.
So whether you're looking for specific tips on Los Cabos, or just armchair travelling, join us for this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcards.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast, Natascha Mirosch talks with Matthew Evans, a former chef and restaurant critic, turned farmer, restaurateur, author and host of Gourmet Farmer on SBS.
An advocate for sustainable food and ethical production, who "wants everyone to eat well," experience has taught him that this starts with what's right under our feet - soil.
Matthew and Natascha chat regenerative farming, food, and his extraordinary new book, "Soil - the incredible story of what keeps the earth, and us healthy."
Fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live, exploring beyond the guide books and tourist traps to discover local secrets.
In this episode, we hear from Dianne Bortoletto in Perth, Western Australia, the world's most isolated capital city.
Dianne talks festivals, food and farmers markets, the kilometres of coastal walks along the city's 19 beaches, the perpetually sunny weather and spectacular sunsets, the roof top bars and restaurants and how she spends her weekends in one of Australia's friendliest and most laid back cities.
Get more info and links for all the places mentioned at: https://extravirginfoodandtravel.com
Love this podcast? Please support it at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/extravirgin
Tasmania's remote location, the unpolluted air, soft, pure water and the exceptional locally-grown barley are helping distilleries make their mark in the world whisky market.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, we talk to master distiller Bill McHenry of McHenry Distillery in southern Tasmania about the process of getting the legendary spirit from grain to glass - from barrel-aging to food matching, ice or no-ice, Tasmanian terroir as well as Bill's ongoing search for a local peat bog. So pour yourself a dram, settle in and have a listen. Slåinte!
Fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live. We explore beyond the guide books and tourist traps and discover local secrets. In this episode, we hear from John Hunter in Rugby, England - the town where the famous game was created. John describes a life of country walks on rolling hills, followed by good farm-to-fork food. There's also live music and the Oxford Canal, and, of course, it’s a must-visit if you’re a rugby fanatic.
Get more info and links for all the places mentioned at: https://extravirginfoodandtravel.com
Love this podcast? Please support it at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/extravirgin
Meet the adventurous and brave Alienor le Gouvello who challenged herself to walk Australia’s 5300km National Trail. Ask Alienor and she says her journey wasn’t a solo one - she was part of a team that included her three tamed brumbies and her faithful dog Fox.
Alienor’s journey started in Victoria’s wild and snowy high country alps and ended after 13 months of emotional highs and lows in the country’s humid tropical far north.
Along the way, she witnessed spectacular landscapes and experienced the kindness and generosity of the people she met. She also battled isolation and the elements, building a profound bond with her big-hearted horses.
The National Trail follows the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and the Eastern Escarpment, offering distance trekkers a uniquely Australian adventure. As it winds along the eastern seaboard, the trail provides access through some of Australia’s wildest, most inaccessible country and the opportunity to experience unique fauna and flora.
Originally conceived as a route for the long-distance horse trekker, the trail is now enjoyed by cyclists and hikers as well.
Born in Paris, France, Alienor has seen more of Australia than most, after arriving, aged 20, for a three-week holiday and falling in love with the vastness of the outback. She went on to work in indigenous communities in the central and western deserts for 12 years, developing a deep appreciation for the land and for indigenous culture and traditions.
Having been a competitive horse rider from a young age, Alienor also learned about Australia’s wild horses, often known as brumbies. She explains how discovering the plight of these wild heritage horses inspired her to undertake the length of the National Trail with three brumbies she would humanely train herself.
Her story is one of preparation, stamina and indomitable spirit embodied by Alienor and her beloved horses - Roxanne, River and Cooper. Click to listen. We hope you enjoy their inspiring tale.
If you’re interested to read more of their adventures and to perhaps be inspired to plan your own wild adventure, grab a copy of Alienor’s book Wild at Heart, with beautiful photos by renowned adventure photographer Cat Vinton.
Love this podcast? Support us at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/extravirgin
#NaturalHorsemanship
#GuyFawkesHeritageHorseAssociation
#outbackAustralia
#AustralianNationalTrail
This episode of ExtraVirgin "Postcards" comes from a tiny and remote island in the Pacific Ocean, over 1400 km from mainland Australia.
At just 35km square, Norfolk Island is home to around 1750 inhabitants, many of whom are the direct descendants of the Bounty mutineers.
Islander Sharyn Quintal talks to us about her beloved island home and its fascinating history - the unique language spoken, the bounteous nature, must-sees and tips for making the most of a visit to this laidback South Pacific paradise.
Italian-born cook and restaurateur Stefano de Pieri discusses authentic Italian food and why such a small country as Italy has such a diverse food culture - expect everything from food for feasts to the genius food of the "cucina povera" or poor kitchen.
Stefano, who has run a successful eatery in regional Victoria for 30 years, is also passionate about using the food of his local area in the Murray-Darling Basin, known as the food bowl of Australia. We discuss threats to the waterway, the significance of the native Murray cod, what changes our food producers are putting in place to preserve this delicate eco-system, and we hear of the fortitude of our farmers as they withstand the bitter cycles of drought and flood.
This award-winning restaurateur pulls no punches as he discusses the environment and his frustrations with the Australian palette but Stefano's love of his adopted community, the star of his new tv series Australia's Food Bowl which airs this month on SBS Food, shines through. Bon appetito!
Love this podcast? Buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/extravirginfoodtravelpodcast
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcards, where we travel the globe talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live, we hear from Tim Cox, in Hobart, Tasmania.
A local, off-and-on for the past 30 years, Tim talks about Hobart's vibrant arts scene, dismisses a few preconceptions about Australia's least populated capital city and shares some of its secrets, including his favourite eating and drinking spots.
So sit back, relax (maybe pour yourself a fine Tasmanian whisky?) and enjoy armchair travelling with us to Hobart, Tasmania.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcards, where we travel the globe talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live, we hear from Tim Cox, in Hobart, Tasmania.
A local, off-and-on for the past 30 years, Tim talks about Hobart's vibrant arts scene, dismisses a few preconceptions about Australia's least populated capital city and shares some of its secrets, including his favourite eating and drinking spots.
So sit back, relax (maybe pour yourself a fine Tasmanian whisky?) and enjoy armchair travelling with us to Hobart, Tasmania.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast, we discuss the fascinating subject of 'wild' foods. Our guest, Gina Rae La Cerva is an award-winning writer, author of ”Feasting Wild In Search of the Last Untamed Food,” a geographer, and environmental anthropologist originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Equipped with both insatiable curiosity and absolute fearlessness, she’s researched tsunamis in Indonesia, crossed the Pacific Ocean on a sailboat, and investigated the wild meat trade in the forests of the Congo basin. We talk with Gina Rae about what 'wild' actually means; foraging in ancient and modern times, rare and unusual foods, hunting, contemporary restaurants and notions of 'local' as well as hearing about some of Gina Rae's extraordinary adventures as she traversed the globe in search of the world's last untamed foods.
Fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live. We explore beyond the guide books and tourist traps and discover local secrets. In this episode, we hear from Dubai where Farida Ahmed grew up and now runs a food tour business. Farida’s postcard takes us beyond the ultra-modern urban landscape you may know to the hidden gems of old Dubai, and to the desert beyond. With Farida’s help, we’ll dine on the local indigenous cuisine, sip tea and discover this diverse and ancient city, and its surroundings.
Love this podcast? Support it at: https://ko-fi.com/extravirginfoodtravelpodcast
Whether you’re headed to New Zealand imminently, or are dreaming of a future visit, you’ll want to listen to this ExtraVirgin Food & Travel episode.
We were lucky enough to have the extremely knowledgeable Stephanie Holmes on the podcast for this episode on New Zealand. A British-born, now Auckland local, Stephanie is the travel editor of The New Zealand Herald, so is perfectly placed to talk us through the can’t-misses of Aotearoa.
Of course, we only got to scratch the surface of this incredibly diverse country, but we did get plenty of local intel from Stephanie, including the hottest restaurant in Auckland, her favourite secret bar; can’t-miss art exhibitions, where to ski and the best walking tracks, luxury stays, wellness retreats and wineries and where to see the country’s iconic kiwi, plus a lot more.
We hope find this chat with Stephanie as inspiring as we did.
Come on an adventure and fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live. We explore beyond the guide books and tourist traps and discover local secrets.
This week’s postcard is from Madrid, Spain where Australian-born writer Juan-Carlo Tomás now lives and thrives. Juan-Carlo takes us through a day in the life of a Madrileños - there's coffee, long lunches, siesta, aperitivos, tapas, and late, late dinners. He describes the bustling neighbourhood markets where fresh foods and the simplest of shared dishes sit side by side with Michelin-starred degustations. We get his top tip for one tourist trap to avoid, as well as a must-do museum experience you can only have in Madrid. Enjoy! Love this podcast? Support it at: https://ko-fi.com/extravirginfoodtravelpodcast
Award winning Travel writer Tracey Croke is a fan of 'roughty-toughty' travel - adventurous, off-the-beaten track journeys preferably on two wheels. In this epsiode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel Podcast we talk to Tracey about how her love of bike travel developed and her international adventures, including cycling among the wildlife in Botswana, travelling the Masar Ibrahmi Al-Khalil, in Palestine, traversing the Wakan corridor in Afghanistan, and crossing the Talas Range in Kyrgyzstan. We also chat with Tracey about how to approach bike travel if you're a beginner, including buying a mountain bike and getting bike fit, the best rides in Australia and ask her to share her international bike travel wish list. You can check out some of Tracey's writing on bike travel in a new book: Ride, Cycle the World and follow her adventure at @traceycroke on insta
Come on an adventure and fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live. We explore beyond the guide books and tourist traps to discover local secrets. This week’s postcard is from Invercargill, New Zealand’s southern-most city. Linc Pottinger fled his hometown as a young adult only to find himself drawn back and enamoured of its 4-seasons-in-one-day weather, student town energy, gateway proximity to incredible natural attractions including Stewart Island and the Fiordland National Park and its famous wild oysters. Linc shares his favourite way to eat the local delicacy and explains why he’s glad to call Invercargill home once more.
Do you want to know more about the complex topic of sustainable seafood? What about how to choose fish at the shops? Should you only buy local? Fresh or frozen? Our guest, seafood advocate and purveyor John Susman (@fishheads), answers all these questions and more, and shares his top tips for choosing seafood, as well as how to make the most of your selected seafood so it's delicious - and sustainable. Support this podcast: https://ko-fi.com/extravirginfoodtravelpodcast
Have you ever wondered where Italians go to holiday in their own country? The answer is Puglia, an unspoiled southern region of Italy at the 'heel' of Italy's boot.
With the Adriatic on one side and the Ionian sea on the other, it has miles of ruggedly beautiful beaches, while the interior has the greatest population of olive groves in the country.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Postcards, we talk with Silvestro Silvestori, a cooking school owner who operates out of the gorgeous baroque city of Lecce as well as holding classes in a castle 40 minutes away in the countryside.
Silvestro tells us how a little of the history of Puglia, talks about the local cuisine and wines and gives us his recommendation for of his favourite places to try some traditional dishes of Puglia.
We chat with Australian Monique Ceccato who followed her heart to the other side of the world - in the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic. We hear how she met her love, how she got permission to travel despite lockdowns, and all the incredible bucket list experiences she's had along the way. Listen to hear if there's a happy ending for Monique. Support this podicast at https://ko-fi.com/extravirginfoodtravelpodcast
Come on an adventure and fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live. We explore beyond the guide books and tourist traps and discover local secrets. In this episode, we hear from Meghan Gearino who lives in Richmond, the capital of Virginia on the US East coast. Richmond is famous for its well-preserved historic architecture and cobblestone streets, thriving arts and music scene and diverse neighbourhoods.
Anas Atassi, author of: "Sumac - Recipes and Stories from Syria," was born in Homs in Syria and split his time growing up between Saudi Arabia, where his father was based for work, and long summer holidays with extended family in Syria.
Now based in Amsterdam, Anas stays connected to his former home and the memories of his family by cooking.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel, we talk with Anas about the historical and geographical influences on Syrian cuisine, his personal stories of those long leisurely meals, the meaning of 'nafas' in Syrian cooking and more.
And, if after listening to this episode you're keen to try cooking Syrian cuisine for yourself, go to the ExtraVirgin webpage for one of Anas' recipes from 'Sumac'.
Come on an adventure and fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live. We explore beyond the guide books and tourist traps and discover local secrets.
In this episode, our postcard is from Samuel Meiji who lives in beautiful Manizales, in the coffee region of Colombia. Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, Manizales boasts world-renowned coffee and chocolate, and is home to Colombia's national dish. Hear from Samuel why Manizales is known as the Sweden of South America. Don't miss his recommendations for where and what to eat - it all sounds delicious - and his surprising tip for how to get around this hilly city.
Support this show! https://ko-fi.com/extravirginfoodtravelpodcast
Learn about the customs, food and people of Bali. Not just a party destination for Aussie tourists, we hear from Janet DeNeefe that Bali retains its unique and rich culture. Australian-born, Janet first visited Bali more than 30 years ago, falling in love with the island and then a Balinese man who became her husband. Janet shares her love for Bali, and gives her top insider tips on what and where to eat and how to find the real Bali.
Find Janet, her guesthouse and her beautiful cookbooks at https://casalunabali.com
Support this show! https://ko-fi.com/extravirginfoodtravelpodcast
Come on an adventure and fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live - exploring beyond the guide books and tourist traps to discover local secrets.
In this episode Kuala Lumpur local and (like most KL-ites) obsessed foodie, Karen Ho talks about her city - a place where colonalist architecture and gleaming glass skyscrapers co-exist and the vibrant food scene is an amalgamation of the many nationalities that call it home.
Karen gives us the intel on places to go, sights that are really worth seeing, what and where to eat and tips on traversing this colourful city like a local.
Dale Chapman, chef and bush tucker advocate, is passionate about bringing Australia's indigenous foods into everyday cooking for both taste and well-being. Dale explains how these foods can play a role in good health. Keen cooks will appreciate her insights into the flavours and uses of bush tucker which Dale sources through Aboriginal communities that grow and harvest bush ingredients. We also hear how learning more about these foods and the traditional stories around them can help grow our understanding of the oldest living culture in the world.
Find Dale at https://mydillybag.com.au and @my.dillybag on Insta
Support this show! https://ko-fi.com/C0C21ZY9X
Come on an adventure and fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live. We explore beyond the guide books and tourist traps and discover local secrets.
This episode, we hear from Cat Woods, a writer and yoga/pilates teacher in Melbourne, Australia, where a big city incorporates a multitude of eclectic neighbourhoods that entice you with unique shopping, food, galleries, parks and beaches.
Cat gives us her tips on exploring the city, offering up her favourite cafes, music venues and weekend activities.
See Melbourne through the eyes of a local.
Saké, a fermented drink, has much more in common with beer than spirits. A simple mix of steamed rice, water and culture, saké has been made in Japan since around 710AD.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food & Travel Podcast, we talk all things 'nihonshu' with saké educator Melissa Mills. We find out how it's made, discuss the myths around saké, learn what the different names and numbers on the bottles mean, find out the best foods to eat with saké, talk about the trend of saké making at home, and the trip to Japan that started it all for this former dental surgeon forever.
We reckon by the end of this epsiode, like us, you'll be approaching saké with a whole new level of interest!
Kampai!
Come on an adventure and fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live. We explore beyond the guide books and tourist traps and discover local secrets. In this episode, we meet Travis Curie of Atlanta, Georgia. Travis describes Georgia as a big city with a small town charm. He explains why Atlanta is nicknamed "the city in a forest", and tells us what you can see, do, eat and drink as you stroll its very walkable streets, including one essential Atlanta food you must try once in your lifetime.
We all know how good fermented foods are for our gut health, but many people don't realise how easy foods like sauerkraut and kombucha are to make at home. And, says The Fermentary's Sharon Flynn, wild fermented foods have a far greater number of health-giving microbes compared to most supermarket products.
In this episode Sharon, who became a professional fermenter after healing her young daughter's health issues by introducing wild fermented foods to her diet, talks us through various ferments, from kefir to kimchi, allays fears about safety, and answers questions submitted by our listeners.
Come on an adventure and fuel your wanderlust as we travel the globe, talking to ordinary people about why they love where they live. We explore beyond the guide books and tourist traps and discover local secrets.
In this episode, we meet Fanny Gabas who calls Paris home. Fanny loves all of Paris but the 11th arrondissement is her "hood" and holds her heart. Fanny tells us what it's really like to be a Parisian, how she spends her weekends, and where and what she loves to eat. If you've never been to Paris or it's been a while since you last visited, prepare to be inspired to plan your next trip. Visit extravirginfoodandtravel.com for details of the places Fanny mentions.
Looking for life-changing travel? Guest Jonathan de Potter of Behold Retreats says high-end guided plant medicine journeys can safely accelerate personal growth and help you live life to your full potential, using such plants as Ayahuasca and Psilocybin (magic mushrooms). Jonathan, whose retreats are found in beautiful locations including Costa Rica, The Netherlands and Peru, explains the neuroscience and says it's an ancient practice, now finding a place in the modern wellness and transformational travel era.
Honeymooning with Merv Hughes. Getting stoned with Swiss conscripts. Skydiving into a hotel reception. All true tales from the well-stocked travel story arsenal of Quentin Long, co-founder of Australian Traveller and International Traveller magazines. In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel, Quentin shares his best ever travel experiences (and a couple that are memorable for the wrong reasons) and gives us some fresh all-Australian additions for our bucket lists.
On a more serious note, we discuss the devastation Covid has had on the travel industry and what he thinks travel may look like when we can all travel again.
It was a visit to her husband's native Tasmania that inspired an unexpected change of career and country for Alice Laing. In 2013, she exchanged London for the east coast of Tasmania, swapping corporate sponsorship for salt making.
Today, her 'office' has an enviable view of the sea and the pretty inlets around the Freycinet Peninsula. It's in this pristine part of Tasmania that this self-taught salt maker harnesses nature to produce some of the world's best salt, from what may well be the purest water on the planet.
We chat to Alice about the steep earning curve in becoming a salt maker; the importance of salt in history, their unique, environmentally friendly production process and hear a gruesome story about the last salt producer in Tasmania.
The Emotional Art of Cake Making Gillian Bell is a master baker whose extraordinary work is so renowned, people, including Hollywood Stars, fly her all over the world to bake their wedding cakes. Gillian Bell uses her trusty whisk to lovingly create unique cakes that are a reflection of the place she is cooking in as well as the personal story of the people and the occasion she is baking for. We hear how she has baked in some challenging locations, and learn the secrets to her baking success.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel Podcast, we talk with Durkhanai Ayubi, whose family owns Parwana restaurant in Adelaide, Australia.
Durkhanai is also the author of "Parwana," a book that delves into the ancient and contemporary history of Afghanistan, its location as an important destination on the ancient Silk Route, and how these factors have influenced the cuisine. We also discuss how Afghans eat, seasonal and celebratory rituals around food and some of the delicious ingredients that make up its cuisine.
We hear the stories of persecution and displacement and how her family healed the scars of their past by opening Parwana and sharing with people Afghanistan's deliciously aromatic food and hospitable culture.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel Podcast, we talk to Hannah Miller, the "Lady Butcher" about her ethos of 'purposeful' meat eating, how her job has taken her from the Antarctic to Australia, why she's moved to New Zealand, and, most pressing of all, why her farmer's pigs have their own beach.
Kicking off her career as a chef, after training at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York, it was meeting famous nose-to-tail advocate, chef Fergus Henderson of London's St John that was to change her focus and ultimately see her moving to a new country thousands of kilometres from her Portland, Oregon home.
Hannah's story is about finding her passion, discovering a place where the niche for it was unfilled and helping inspire others to make better choices when they buy and eat meat.
If you've ever wanted to go on safari, this episode takes you to the heart of one of the world's most renowned and luxurious game reserves. Jacques Smit, of Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, explains how they work with authorities and local communities to give visitors extraordinary up-close animal encounters while respecting and conserving the wildlife and ecology of the area. Leave your pre-conceptions at home - there's a lot more to safari than lions and elephants.
We chat with scientist Alison Dean all the way from an Australian research station in Antarctica. We hear what it’s like to spend winter in the Antarctic, what they eat and what they do for fun in the long cold months. We also hear about the fascinating research being done and its link to our understanding of our mysterious planet, and why Alison says everyone should visit Antarctica once.
Two years ago, friends Rach Davey and Marty Sebova, aka Very Hungry Nomads, quit their jobs, sold all their belongings, and shouldering 10-kilo backpacks, set off for an ambitious adventure - to see every single country in the world (that's 195!)
Their aim was to inspire and empower (women especially) and to prove that ordinary people can do anything they put their mind to.
As Covid-19 shut down the world, they were very close to reaching the end of their challenge, with just 9 countries to go.
Temporarily grounded, the pair talk to ExtraVirgin Food and Travel about places that surprised them and conversely, over-rated destinations; their top 3 countries for food, how to negotiate travel in dangerous countries and what it's like spending nearly 2 years on the road. And they reveal the 9 countries they've yet to see and how they plan to tick them off in order to complete their big adventure.
Learn about Palestinian cuisine, how it differs from its Middle Eastern neighbours and what's it like living in the middle of an ancient city venerated for its history and religious associations. Chef and hotelier Fadi Kattan is one of Palestine's best-known chefs, bringing modern flair to a traditional cuisine. Passionate about the food, farmers and artisans of his birth place, he's the man who convinced Jamie Oliver to visit Palestine.
Jane Hutcheon, one of Australia’s most respected broadcast journalists, joined us to chat about her life and world travels - first as a foreign correspondent and more recently as a tour guide to some of the world’s most exotic locations. Jane has interviewed world leaders and celebrities and worked as a foreign correspondent in China, Europe and the Middle East but her own story is also a fascinating one.
Travel writer Lee Atkinson shares with us tales of her many road trips around Australia. We hear about the landscapes and history, getting her car bogged in the desert, a too-close call with a crocodile and the many fascinating Aussie characters she’s met along the way. There’s also Lee’s favourite outback drives, her suggestions for a beginner road-tripper, and her insights for everything you need to make your trip go smoothly.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel, we talk with Gavin Booth, of Australian Truffle Traders, whose truffles grace plates at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck, Gordon Ramsay's restaurants, London's lauded 2-Michelin starred Greenhouse and more. Australia is the world's 4th biggest truffle producer and a small Western Australian town, 4 hours drive from the nearest airport has become the epicentre of truffle production in the country, exporting up to 90% of its precious harvest of tuber melanosporum, the revered black truffle to Europe, the US, the UK, Japan and beyond. We discuss with Gavin, the growing and finding truffles, the close working relationship between truffle hunter and dog, how to store them and most importantly how to cook the luxury ingredient (hint -don't listen while hungry!) Raconteur Gavin also tells us some delightful truffle-related stories and we talk about how these 'black diamonds' have bought a gourmet festival that now features on every foodies wish list, to the 'tall timber' country town of Manjimup.
Iain Maloney, a teacher and writer, explains what it's like for a six-foot blonde Scotsman to set up home in a rural Japanese village. Iain explains how he came to be so far from his birthplace, what life is like in his little part of Japan, far from the heavily touristed haunts of Tokyo, and dispels some myths about Japanese culture along the way.
The hospitality industry, which tech innovator Stevan Premutico describes as 'already on its knees' has taken another beating with the Covid19 crisis.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel Podcast, we talk with Stevan, former owner of restaurant booking system DImmi (now known as 'The Fork') which he sold to Tripadvisor in 2016. Today, Stevan is creator and owner of hospitality app Me&U (conceived, ironically on a tech-free pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago trail) about how operators can survive the months to come.
We talk about the strategies that will need to be adopted to ensure hospitality will continue as an industry; what the biggest pain points will be, and what customers are going to expect from dining out in this bruised and battered post-covid world.
Are you wondering how people around the world are coping with the CoronaVirus lockdown? With travel on hold for most of the world, in this episode we (cyber) travel to Sweden, Italy, the US, South Africa and the UK to chat with family and friends about local policies and life in the midst of the pandemic. We learn that even in some of the world’s Covid-19 hotspots, there’s inspiration for your travel dreams as our guests share insider tips only a local would know. Stay home and stay safe and please enjoy our virtual world tour.
Chef Nims Zavackas is passionate about sharing her love for cooking from scratch and traditional methods of preserving food for taste and good health. We asked Nims how we can make the most of the Coronavirus lockdown and she shared her hot tips on homemade jam, ferments such as kimchi and sauerkraut, sourdough starters and kombucha. It's full of heartfelt kitchen inspiration, whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner with time on your hands.
Fashion blogger and designer Nikki Parkinson is a reformed over-packer. She shares her top tips for making sure you arrive at your destination - domestic or international - with a coordinated wardrobe that won't weigh you down but still keeps you stylish. We also hear what to wear inflight, how to pack for different seasons and her favourite bag for beauty products.
Flight shaming, volun-tourism, mega cruise ships, sustainability - all current hot topics in the travel world.
In this episode of ExtrvaVirgin podcast, we talk to Amanda Kendle, podcaster at The Thoughtful Travel Podcast about the positive and negative impacts of travel; environmental, cultural and economic.
Which destinations are taking the effects of over-tourism seriously and implementing strategies to control its impact?
We discuss 'slow' travel', voluntary tourism and whether Airbnb has a positive or negative impact on communities.
In the end, do we need to give up travelling or can we be more mindful travellers? Amanda certainly believes the latter and offers her own views and tips on how travellers can tread less gently on the earth.
Did you know that one-third of all food produced to feed people goes to waste?
That equates to a horrifying 1.3 billion tonnes annually.
Traditionally, restaurants are big contributors, with up to 45 percent of food wastage happening at the food preparation stage and about 20 per cent lost through spoilage. And then of course, there’s what diners leave on their plates.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Natascha and Sam head to the beautiful Spicers Hidden Vale in the lush countryside about an hour from Brisbane in Australia, to talk to executive chef Ash Martin about how a fire that left the restaurant a smoking pile of rubble, has powered him further along on his journey to running a zero waste kitchen.
The fire, the result of an electrical fault in the ceiling, not only forced him to change the way he cooked, but gave him the opportunity to ensure his built-from-scratch, state-of-the-art kitchen in the homestead that recently re-opened after 2 years is waste-free.
Ash shares some of the often off-beat ways that he and his staff make sure everything is used and how we can adopt some of these principles in our own home kitchens. Fermented potato-skin salt anyone?
Melbourne man Morry Morgan, who’s living in China, shares his perspective on the novel coronavirus. We hear what impact the virus is having on the Chinese capital city, and how Morry and his family have experienced other natural and political crises during their travels in Asia.
Your favourite restaurant or cafe may be one of many that face closure in 2020. Delivery apps, cost increases and the drought are just some of the issues affecting the industry. Wes Lambert of Restaurant and Catering Australia explains what's going on and how diners can help.
Fancy a walk? After 10 years on the corporate treadmill and suffering from anxiety and depression and the confidence-crushing effects of a painful break-up, Laura Waters decided to go on a hike.
This was to be no stroll in the park though - instead she set off for a 6-month, 3000 km trek from the top of New Zealand’s north island to the tip of the south, traversing challenging terrain and capricious weather with just a small backpack of belongings.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, we talk to Laura her about her time in the New Zealand wilderness and her book “Bewildered” born from the life-affirming experience.
Looking for some inspiration for your travel plans in 2020? How about cruising in Russia, seeing the northern lights in the Yukon, lunching on a private island in Fiji or glamping in Australia’s wild Kimberley region? Our guest on this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel Podcast is Luke Wheatley of Flight Centre, who has his finger firmly on the pulse of new and undiscovered travel experiences, best-selling destinations and what's firing up to make the hot list in 2020.
We asked Champagne expert Amanda Raboule to explain what makes the drink from France so special. She shares her expertise on how to choose a bottle for yourself or as a gift, and then how to store it and serve it to get the best out of your special bottle.
In Part 3 of our ExtraVirgin 2019 Christmas Special, we chat about some recent food and travel books that we’ve enjoyed. You might find the perfect gift for your favourite traveller or gourmand in our selections, or maybe a little something for yourself.
In Part 1 of our ExtraVirgin 2019 Christmas Special, we talk cocktail trends with Millie Tang, one of Australia’s most highly awarded bartenders. Then we get some educated tips for your celebration wine selections from renowned food writer and independent wine merchant Tony Harper.
Whether you celebrate on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day; go full turkey with all the trimmings, or choose something less traditional, in this episode of ExtraVirgin, we are talking festive feasting.
The ‘food course’ of our 3-part holiday special, this epsiode is sure to make you hungry.
Guests include global food writer Joanna Savill, new Masterchef Australia presenter Melissa Leong, owner of food business 'incubator’ Wandering Cooks, Angela Hirst and renowned Australian chef Philip Johnson of E’cco Bistro.
We talk about their holiday eating - who’s coming to lunch/dinner, who’s cooking and what they’re dishing up. And there are more than a few surprises in the mix!
We all love to holiday, but for people with a disability, there can be extra challenges.
Our guest on this episode of ExtraVirgin is Julie Jones, of website "Have Wheelchair Will Travel," editor of travel magazine Travel Without Limits (Australia's first disablity-specific magazine), and mother to intrepid adventurer, Braeden, 24, who was born with cerebral palsy.
Worldwide, the disability travel market is booming. In the UK, the market has expanded 3 times faster than 'regular' travel while in Australia, the inbound market is worth $10.8 billion - more than the Chinese market, yet many operators are still not up to speed when it comes to inclusive travel.
We talk to Julie about destinations who are getting it right, navigating flights and hotel rooms and her tips on how to travel without limits, whatever your ability.
If you’re a food lover who wants the lowdown on the most exciting places to eat around the world, you’ll love our guest Janne Apelgren. Janne is a renowned food writer and travel editor who also co-authored the must-read book Around the World in 80 Dinners. Our conversation with Janne covers her favourite foodie travel destinations, including insider food and drink tips for her home-base of Melbourne.
Who says luxury and sustainablity can't go hand in hand? In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Natascha visits the private eco-reserve of Grootbos in South Africa.
Almost at the southern tip of Africa tucked between mountains and forest, Grootbos is the most diverse and smallest of the world's six floral kingdoms. Among the 700-plus species found on the reserve, over 400 are on the red data list as threatened, 6 were completely new to science and 4 of these are only known to be found here.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Natascha talks to Grootbos operations manager Clayton Niemand about how the lodge goes about protecting this unique region and putting their serious committment to sustainabiltiy into practice on a day to day basis, while still giving international guests an unforgettable 5-star experience.
If South Africa is on your travel radar, then have a listen - we're sure to want to add Grootbos as a must - visit destination afterwards.
Imagine living in one of the most remote parts of Australia and being tasked to procure and create world-class food for visitors to the area. That’s the challenge for head chef Luke Sutherland who works at a resort in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. With the cheffing world already recognised as a stressful one, Luke discusses the extra pressures which can come into play when the restaurant is in such an isolated wilderness area.
Food influencers offer publicity on social media in return for free meals. But can we really trust the opinions of people who are essentially paid to write positive ‘reviews' on social media like Instagram and Twitter as well as restaurant review sites?
Many restaurateurs and cafe owners are fed up with being hit up by influencers wanting free meals, but can they in fact be a force for good in an industry that’s often struggling to pay the bills?
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel Podcast, we talk to a professional food critic from The Australian newspaper, John Lethlean, a restaurateur, Simon Gloftis of Hellenika and a social media influencer, Kerry Heaney of Eat, Drink and Be Kerry to answer these questions and more.
Vietnamese-born Jimmy Pham grew up in Australia but, on his first visit to his birthplace, he was shocked by the poverty and the plight of street kids he met. He started out feeding a handful of these young people but eventually decided to start a social enterprise that would help them gain skills and change their lives. Twenty years later, the venture has trained more than 1000 disadvantaged young people in the hospitality industry and changed the lives of many more. We chat with Jimmy about the philosophy behind KOTO - the organisation he started with a sandwich shop in Ho Chi Minh City - and hear incredible stories about its global impact.
Louis Costa from Aurum Mead is intent on putting the world's oldest drink back on restaurants' wine lists.
Born in the heart of the famous winemaking region of Bordeaux, Louis was lured to Australia for the lifestyle, and by love.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin Food and Travel podcast, we talk to winemaker Louis about why he's chosen to make mead instead of wine, and how, utilising both his wine and beer making knowledge, he's dragging a drink best known for its connotations of medieval or viking celebrations into the 21st century.
John Lethlean is Australia's best known (and some would say, most feared) food critic. He's been writing about food for more than 20 years and currently his reviews appear in The Weekend Australian Magazine.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, among other topics, we discuss how John chooses who to review and how he avoids being recognized, the ethics and responsibilities of a restaurant critic, John's restaurant 'take downs' and how restaurants react to a less than favourable review. We also talk about John's restaurant bugbears, how he thinks Australian restaurants can solve their service issues and find out what his considers to be his least and most memorable meals.
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Simon Gloftis has been behind some of the Gold Coast’s most successful restaurants. We asked Simon about the changes he’s seen in hospitality over 20 years in the industry and what it takes to be successful in such a competitive business.
Simon started out washing dishes and delivering pizza and even thought he might be a real estate agent; he realised food was his calling when he kept finding himself reading cookbooks instead of his real estate course material!
First, he had a cafe with his brother then nine years ago he opened Hellenika, a Greek restaurant at Nobby Beach. He created and sold the award-winning Fish House at Burleigh Heads and last year he opened a second Hellenika, bringing his vision for top-notch but authentic Greek food to the luxurious new Calile Hotel in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. The restaurant sits poolside and has become a popular destination for drinks and people-watching but Simon says he keeps his eye on the main game - the food.
A recent month-long trip to Greece, where meals ranged from expensive degustations to simple soup in tiny villages, consolidated his belief that he is on the right track with a combination of top quality food served in the simple style of traditional Greek food.
One third of human food sources require bees for pollination - that's every third mouthful or every third plate of food we eat. Without bees, the food security of the entire world is at risk.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, we talk to Jack Stone of Bee One Third who has made it his mission to educate people about the importance of bees in our food production cycle.
Jack, who established his company Bee One Third in 2012, places hives on rooftops and in gardens of corporate urban spaces, acting as their caretaker and extracting and processing their honey, which is later sold as "neighbourhood honey'.
We talk to Jack about life as an urban beekeeper, the fascinating life of bees, the recent scandal of 'fake' honey, how you can support local beekeepers and how to care for our precious bees.
More in our ExtraVirgin show notes
Whether it’s with an expensive camera or a trusty smart phone, we all want to come home from our travels with some great photos that capture a little of the essence of the places we’ve visited. You’ll find some great photography and travel tips in this episode of ExtraVirgin Podcast. Click below to hear globe-trotting travel photographer Danielle Lancaster share tales of travelling the world for a living and give some simple but effective tricks to improve your holiday snaps.
No one to travel with but you really, really want to do it? This episode of ExtraVirgin may just provide the impetus you need to get going.
Ben Groundwater, travel writer, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age columnist, travel podcaster and author of Go Your Own Way: Hacks, Tips and Tricks to Travel the World Solo, has been travelling and writing for publications worldwide for the last 12 years and estimates he’s visited "around 80 or 90" countries. Often, those trips have been made on his own.
We chat with Ben (who recently relocated from Sydney to Spain's San Sebastián) on topics such as:
- The pleasure and possible pain points of travelling on your own
- His favourite (and least favourite) places to travel alone
- Great solo itineraries
- How to stay safe, avoid scams and have the experience of a lifetime.
If you enjoy this episode of ExtraVirgin, please rate us and download the podcast so you never miss an episode.
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Wild foods foraged along beaches on the Sunshine Coast and in the nearby hinterland feature in many top restaurants from Noosa to Byron Bay. This is thanks to Nick Blake, a passionate forager and chef whose mission is to bring wild foods to our plates while also acting as an environmental steward to protect and preserve the species he gathers. Nick, who trained as an ecologist, is also a font of knowledge on the edible plants you might have in your backyard or in your neighbourhood that you can use in your kitchen.
It’s the world’s most remote music festival: "three days drive from just about anywhere." There’s no electricity, no internet and no accommodation, apart from camping, yet in the last 5 years, The Big Red Bash in the Simpson Desert in Central Australia, named for the desert's biggest dune "Big Red," has grown from a modest 500 attendees to more than 10 000 in 2018. Attracting some big-name Australian artists, it also generates around 11 million much-needed dollars tourist dollars for the wider outback region.
In this episode, we talk to Big Red Bash organiser Greg Donovan about the logistics of putting on this extraordinary music festival, how he goes about building a temporary town in the middle of desert and why, music lover or not, you should put it on your bucket list.
A visit to Wild Foods Italy is a chance to unwind and experience a genuine Italian farming village that has been in the same family for 700 years. For generations, the family that owns the village of Pettino in Umbria has been hunting for truffles, growing olives and raising sheep. Now, they share those experiences with travellers who revel in the slow pace, idyllic landscape and amazing food of the region. Mac Ryde, who was born and bred in New Zealand, tells the romantic tale of how he came to join the family and make this ancient village his home. There are stories of delicious food, a quirky extended family and a way of life that's changed little since the late Middle Ages. Enjoy!
Matt Kirkegaard has a job that would make any beer lover exceedingly envious. He writes and talks about, travels for and, of course, drinks beer for a living.
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, Matt likens old-school Australian beer to the 'plastic' cheese slices of our childhoods, and explains how the rise of independent brewing opened our eyes and tastebuds to a whole new world of beer. We learn why you should drink your beer out of wine glasses, how far to fill the glass, and how to match beer with everything from steamed mussels to ice-cream.
Natascha also gets to taste one of Matt's latest discoveries, a beer that even someone who doesn't usually drink beer can enjoy.
So, sit back, pour yourself a cold one and enjoy this episode, starring the world's most popular alcoholic beverage.
Cheers!
In this episode of ExtraVirgin, we talk to Yvonne Shepherd, owner of Women's Fitness Adventures. In 2013, Yvonne called time on her stressful corporate career to follow her dreams of encouraging other women to improve their own health and fitness.
Today she inspires women by taking them walking to some of the most beautiful places in the world -- from the cliff tops of Italy's Cinque Terre, to the Australian outback; her goal, to support women to not only become fitter and healthier, but fearless world adventurers.
We talk to her about the environmental responsibility of tour operators, why we need Jane Fonda as part of our exercise routine, her favourite walk in the world and what it's like wrangling groups of women of all ages and fitness levels in sometimes very remote places.
Meet former Australian journalist and photographer, Suzanna Clarke, who turned her life upside down when she decided to buy and renovate a house in Fez, Morocco. Always up for a challenge, the adventurous Suzanna settled on a 400-year-old house in Fez's world-heritage-listed Medina. She and her husband, former ABC broadcaster Sandy McCutcheon, now reside there full time, write an English-language blog about Morocco and have adopted two local babies.
We hear about the ups and downs of renovating their riad (house), what daily life in the medina's historic streets is like, and we get Suzanna's hot tips to help you get the most out of a visit to Morocco. From the labyrinth-like laneways of Fez's medina to unspoiled coast and glamping under incredible starred skies in the desert, there's magic to be found; it just may be your - and our - next big destination.