Author

Sue Reddel

Browsing

Food Travelist readers know that we adore Traverse City, a foodie’s paradise in northern Michigan. Along with a reputation for terrific food, local wines and craft beer Traverse City is also a haven for nature lovers. Whether you enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, golfing – you name it –  you can do it in Traverse City. One of our favorite nature-focused activities is birding – we love to watch the birdies. Happily, this part of Michigan is loaded with amazing birds. Spring is a particularly great time to see migratory birds making a stop while on their journey to warmer climates.

We also discovered that we are not alone in our love of watching birds. One of the locals, a longtime dedicated birder, decided to combine his passion for birds with his love of craft beer and opened Rare Bird Brewpub in Traverse City. Rare Bird Brewpub serves up their own unique beers as well as other locally crafted beers, wines, cider and a full bar. The menu offers an eclectic array of international flavors from Pork Belly Bahn Mi and Curry Bowl to hummus and tacos. Traditional pub grub like burgers, mac ‘n cheese, wings and deviled eggs round out the menu making it a tasty little spot to get something yummy and maybe even get a glimpse of some feathered friends while there. Sound like fun? It is! We also love people who follow their passion, so here’s a little more about this beery birdy story.

Nate Crane of Rare Bird Brewpub. Photo courtesy of Traverse City Tourism.
Nate Crane of Rare Bird Brewpub. Photo courtesy of Traverse City Tourism.

In the middle of a discussion about brewing styles, Nate Crane suddenly looks out the window and begins counting geese. 

“Sixteen,” he says, as the flock of honkers disappears south toward Boardman Lake. “I’ll have to log that as soon as I’m finished.” 

People who know Crane are used to this sort of thing. He may be a beer-loving entrepreneur, but he’ll always be a birder at heart. And here in the snug bonhomie of the Rare Bird Brewpub, he can indulge his passion for birds by simply walking out to the edge of the Boardman River to see what new waterfowl have stopped in for a rest. 

“Traverse City has some outstanding birding spots,” he says. “We’re blessed to have water all around us, and water is a natural conduit for birds to follow.  It’s amazing some of the birds I’ve seen right here. I amaze myself sometimes.” 

A lifelong resident of this northern Michigan resort town, Crane started birding when he was a youngster — going on field trips to spots like the Arcadia marshes and the Sleeping Bear Dunes with groups from the local Audubon Society. (He was always the youngest one in the group and sometimes he still is.)  

After getting a business degree from Michigan State University, he briefly cherished the idea of pursuing a master’s degree in ornithology from Cornell. He quit his corporate job and started taking some math and science classes to prepare for grad school, working part-time at nearby Right Brain Brewery. That’s how he discovered the world of craft beer. 

 “I fell in love with it,” he says. “It was that simple. So I asked myself, why should I have to choose? I like birds and business and beer; why can’t I do all three?” 

Rare Bird Brewpub Traverse City MI

In 2011 he met Wisconsin-born brewer Tina Schuett, a former park ranger who fascinated him when he discovered she had once banded kiwis in New Zealand. When they decided to open a brewpub in a former Depression-era railway warehouse on Lake Avenue, the name came naturally. Rara avis, as the Romans used to say: a rare bird.  

They chose a deliberately ambiguous crow-like bird for the pub’s logo – but a more personal symbol is displayed on a wooden sign above Nate’s favorite booth. It’s a long-billed curlew, hand-carved for Rare Bird by Nate’s former seventh-grade science teacher, George Wyklige. 

Rare Bird Inside

Rare Bird serves up six brews of Tina’s making at a time, as well as guest taps from other brewers and a menu that runs the gamut from duck breast mac & cheese to pork belly banh mi. Managing a pub, especially one that’s still in its early years, is pretty intense work. But it does give Nate a lot of mornings for birdwatching. 

Piping Plover in Northern Michigan. Traverse City
Piping Plover in Northern Michigan.

“I’m not a list-making kind of birder,” he says. “My philosophy is, ‘Hey, let’s get out and walk around and see what we see.’ There are birders who are chasers – chasing after a particular bird – and if you’re one of those guys and you go out and don’t see that bird you’re totally disappointed. Me, I’m glad to see anything.” 

Nate’s favorite month for birding is early November when the autumn winds often bring gifts from far-off places – rare birds blown to Traverse City’s shores by distant storms. He’s a big fan of the Sleeping Bear Birding Trail, an online guide to 123 miles of birding sites along the Lake Michigan shoreline. 

In winter he’s particularly fond of Medalie Park, the tiny picnic area at the south end of Boardman Lake, as well as the adjacent Boardman River Valley and Sabin Pond, which have a “tremendous winter waterfowl population – northern pintails, trumpeter swans, snow geese.” 

His most exciting recent find is a Northern Hawk Owl, which is almost never seen this far south — even though it’s the mascot of the local community college and the inspiration for one of Right Brain Brewery’s amber ales. But he loves more common birds, too – especially grassland birds like bobolinks, dickcissels, upland sandpipers, and eastern meadowlarks.  

As for Cornell, Nate still contributes regular reports to www.ebird.org, the online birding checklist for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

“And I still have the t-shirt,” he adds. 

Birding Trails in Traverse City Area.
Birding Trails in Traverse City Area.

Rare Bird Brewpub is located at 229 Lake Avenue, Traverse City, MI.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 3pm-12am.
Friday & Saturday 12pm-2am. Sunday 12pm-10pm.
You can also check out their menus and more at rarebirdbrewpub.com.

Thanks to Traverse City Tourism for providing the photos and information about Rare Bird Brewpub and Traverse City.

When you’re visiting Michigan make sure to plan some time to explore all of Traverse City. To learn more about some of the other places we enjoyed, check out our story Foodie Fun & So Much More in Traverse City.

THE QUICK BITE: Rare Bird Brewpub in Traverse City brought together Nate Crane’s love of bird-watching and craft beer-making together in a tasty combination.

We love visiting Germany and Stuttgart located in the Southwest region in the state of Baden-Württemberg of Germany or what they like to call the sunny side of Germany.

It truly doesn’t matter what time of year that you may visit Stuttgart. The springtime brings flowers and gardens to explore, the summer has festivals, the fall has beer gardens, wine festivals & harvests and the winter brings Christmas markets. You really can’t pick a bad time of year to go.

I visited in fall for Volksfest (some say the Stuttgart beer fest is better than Oktoberfest in Munich, but that’s another story) and in winter to see the Christmas markets. Both trips were wonderful and full of fun and great food.

I was the guest of Baden-Wurttemberg Tourism Board on a press tour of the area. I was not financially compensated and all opinions are my own.

Wuerttemberg State Museum Stuttgart
Wuerttemberg State Museum Stuttgart Photo Copyright Stuttgart Marketing GmbH

Their magnificent museums are one of their year-round attractions and there are lots of them. One way to see all these sights for less is with the StuttCard. The Stuttcard provides you discounts with 55 partners. You can choose 24, 48, and 72-hour cards. Admission is free to many museums and there are savings on many, many other attractions, such as theaters and shopping – over 55 offers from which to choose. And for us foodies, there are even welcome drinks or desserts in selected restaurants. A 48-hour StuttCard is only 20 Euros. Really quite a value.

There’s also a “StuttCard PLUS,” which allows you to add public transportation during the duration of your card for an additional charge.

Whether you’re a food, history, art, wine, or car lover, or all of the above, Stuttgart has a museum or attraction for you.

Ludwigsburg Palace Stuttgart
Ludwigsburg Palace Stuttgart Photo Copyright Stuttgart Marketing GmbH

Some of the museums you can visit include the beautiful Ludwigsburg Palace, the residence of the kings of Württemberg often referred to as the “Swabian Versailles.” You will want to spend hours exploring all the rooms and art throughout the palace, which is one of the largest remaining German baroque palaces still intact.  If you’re there in the summer leave plenty of time to stroll the beautiful gardens or take in a concert.

Ludwigsburg Palace Stuttgart Germany
Ludwigsburg Palace Stuttgart Germany

The main square or Palace Square is a beautiful walking district with two palaces both old and new. The modern Stuttgart Museum of Art also has a lovely restaurant at the top to have a delicious meal and a terrific perspective to sit and watch the world go by.

Bonus Tip: FREE Wi-Fi is available at four central locations throughout the city: The Palace Square (Schlossplatz), Schiller Square (Schillerplatz) and the Marketplace (Marktplazt) and the “i-Punkt” tourist information center.

Neues Schloss, Schlossplatz, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Deutschland
Neues Schloss, Schlossplatz  Photo Copyright Stuttgart Marketing GmbH
Pig Museum Stuttgart
Pig Museum Photo Copyright Stuttgart Marketing GmbH

Want to see something really different? How about the Pig or Schweine Museum? Or one of the six wine museums? Or a schnapps museum or chocolate museum? Do you love cars? Then you know that the car was actually invented in Stuttgart and you won’t want to miss the Porsche and Mercedes Benz Museums.

Most museums in Germany are closed on Mondays so be sure to plan accordingly.

Other Tips & Suggestions While Visiting Stuttgart:

Waldhotel Stuttgart
Waldhotel Stuttgart

If you’re looking for a luxurious, comfortable, and relaxing hotel in Stuttgart check out the Waldhotel Stuttgart. Located just outside the city in a garden and park setting the property is bordered by forest. I had the chance to stay there and I would enjoy waking up to the birds chirping. There are many paths for exploring nature near the hotel. In fact, the hotel is full of art that is inspired by birds – which I just love!

Bird Art at Waldhotel Stuttgart
Bird Art at Waldhotel Stuttgart
Finch Restaurant Waldhotel Stuttgart Swabian Sirloin Steak
Finch Restaurant Waldhotel Stuttgart Swabian Sirloin Steak

The aptly named Finch Restaurant inside the hotel serves a scrumptious breakfast buffet as well as inspired local Swabian dishes for lunch & dinner.  I really enjoyed the peaceful ambiance of the hotel and the friendly, helpful staff.

Weiner Schnitzel at Weinstube Kachelofen
Wiener Schnitzel at Weinstube Kachelofen

Be sure to try Weinstube Kachelofen in downtown Stuttgart. Open for lunch and dinner you will find many delicious local dishes to choose from served in a friendly environment.

Market Hall Stuttgart
Market Hall Stuttgart

Don’t miss the Market Hall downtown as well. There you’ll find everything you can imagine in one wonderful food hall. The art nouveau building has taste treats from around the world. The market is vibrant and diverse, and there’s a restaurant on the first floor for a bird’s eye view of the market and buzz of activity.

Whether you enjoy a place to relax and unwind or love to visit many historic sites, museums, and attractions Stuttgart is a perfect destination for you. The Stuttcard makes seeing everything easy and affordable, so be sure to pick one up when you get into town. For more information on the Stuttcard please check out their website stuttgart-toursist.de.

THE QUICK BITE: Stuttgart in southwest Germany is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. Explore Stuttgart with the Stuttcard & you’ll see all the top attractions & save.

To most people, Orlando means Disney World or Universal Studios. To us, it means one of the most relaxing places we’ve visited. Sound strange? Not at all. We were traveling to several locations in Florida last fall and decided to take a one-day break.

We chose the Waldorf Astoria Orlando because we’re members of the Hilton HHonors Gold program. We knew we’d be staying at a luxury hotel and taking advantage of our HH perks.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando Lobby

When we arrived at the hotel our room wasn’t quite ready so we were invited to use the spa to change our clothes and to enjoy the pool area.  Since it was still morning we opted to check out their breakfast buffet first.

As you might expect the buffet was large and gorgeous. What really made it stand out was the spaciousness of the offerings. There were several food stations spread out to accommodate the large crowd at breakfast. Although it was busy the staff was very friendly and took the time to keep us entertained and laughing.

Breakfast Buffet Waldorf Astoria
Breakfast Buffet Waldorf Astoria

There was an omelet station, waffles, pancakes, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, full bread bar, cheese and charcuterie bar, fresh fruit, Asian fare, and of course, cereals, granolas, yogurt, and juices. Something for everyone at the buffet as well as an a la carte menu for those who just wanted to order a traditional breakfast.

Waldorf Astoria golf course
Waldorf Astoria golf course

After breakfast, we took a stroll around the grounds. It’s a beautiful property complete with a Rees Jones-designed 18-hole championship golf course. The walkway takes you to the sister property the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, which offers additional choices for dining.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando Poolside

We returned to the Waldorf ready to relax by the pool.  The spa is gorgeous and tranquil but we quickly changed into our suits to head to the pool. It was a beautiful sunny day and we didn’t want to waste a minute inside.

There are several pools to choose from all lined with comfy loungers in and out of the sun. We chose a shady spot and dove into some poolside reading and napping.

Frozen Grapes by the pool Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Frozen Grapes by the pool Waldorf Astoria Orlando

There’s cold water available poolside and attendants come around with frozen grapes from time to time, which is a perfect refreshment. There’s also a pool waitress that offers to take your order of frosty drinks, cold beer, snacks, sandwiches, and salads anything that might interest you all from the comfort of your lounge chair. There’s also a restaurant by the pool if you would rather sit at a table and eat.

After our relaxed afternoon of pampering, we went back to the desk to find that our room was upgraded to a deluxe suite (another perk of Hilton HHonors). We were each offered a glass of complimentary champagne as we headed to our room.

Waldorf Astoria Bedroom Champagne

The suite was spacious and comfortable with a terrific view of Orlando. I really appreciate a nicely appointed bathroom and this one was 5-star, complete with Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries, a soaking tub, and a stand-alone shower. Fluffy towels and robes completed the assembly.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando Bathroom

We hadn’t made any plans for the evening so I asked the concierge where he recommended we have dinner. He said that we must try Bull & Bear, the restaurant in the hotel. We hadn’t done any research about where to eat because we were “technically” taking a day off but we said, “What the heck. Let’s try it.” The bad news – the restaurant had no reservations available. He said they’d see what they could do and call us in the room.

As we settled into our room, the phone rang and happily they were able to get us in if we could be down in an hour. No problem!! We had some time to relax and get ready for dinner.

Peacock Egg Drink at Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Peacock Egg Drink at Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Orlando Waldorf Astoria Food

Before dinner, we stopped by the Peacock Alley lounge for a quick drink. We tried the signature Peacock Egg – lavender syrup, blue Curacao, fresh lemonade and Bombay Sapphire Gin presented in an ice “egg” in a blue-lit glass. Gorgeous and refreshing.

Bull and Bear Dining Room

We headed down just as the sun was setting. The Bull & Bear dining room with windows facing the west made a perfect place to watch the sunset in full display. If you time it right the view also includes the nightly Epcot fireworks display.

Cocktails at Bull and Bear Orlando
New World Gin & Tonic with St. Augustine Gin and the Bull & Bear Mule With St. Augustine Vodka

Diana and I sat on a comfy couch next to each other like Parisians. We took a deep breath ready to experience what we didn’t yet know would end up being one of the best meals we’ve ever had.

Bull and Bear IPad Menu

The menu at the award-winning Bull & Bear is presented to you on an iPad. The menu is fully illustrated with professional photos. Every menu item looks better than the next and there’s a full wine menu that offers pairing suggestions for every item. Since we were already indulging we decided to go with the tasting menu. Then we snuggled down and got ready to experience the Bull & Bar.

Potato Cappucino At Bull & Bear Orlando
Potato Cappuccino At Bull & Bear Orlando

We started with the Potato Cappuccino dusted with Oregon Truffle Jus and Mushroom salt. This was just the beginning of our delicious and creatively served dinner.

Unique breads at Bull and Bear Orlando
Unique breads at Bull and Bear Orlando. Couldn’t stop eating the garlic monkey bread!
Tomato Encrusted Chilean Sea Bass at the Bull & Bear Orlando
Tomato Encrusted Chilean Sea Bass at the Bull & Bear Orlando

Steak at Bull and Bear

If you’re looking for top-quality meat try their Allen Brothers beef. From Chateaubriand for two to the 38 oz. Tomahawk Steak for two aged for thirty-two days they’ve got it all.

Bull and Bear Frites
Bull and Bear Frites

The Bull & Bear is a steakhouse reimagined and has all the proper sides you’d expect. One not to miss is the Bull & Bear Frites. 100% Idaho hand-cut tallow potato crisp with organic garlic aioli.

Dessert at Bull and Bear Orlando
Dessert at Bull and Bear Orlando
Chocolate cigar Bull and Bear
Chocolate cigar Bull and Bear

We won’t tempt you with all the delicacies that graced our table but the dessert was a big reveal with a “lemon” that is deconstructed at the table by the server into a delightfully tangy lemon meringue pie and a chocolate “cigar” complete with ashes in the ashtray it was served in.

Chocolate Bar Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Chocolate Bar Waldorf Astoria Orlando

After a spectacular meal, we wandered through the lobby to discover a full Chocolate and Champagne bar ready to be devoured. But not by us. We headed off for another stroll around the property to work off some of that delicious dinner and then off to dreamland.

Grouper Sandwich Clubhouse Grille at the Waldorf Astoria
Grouper Sandwich Clubhouse Grille at the Waldorf Astoria

We slept in since we had a late check-out (another perk of Hilton HHonors Gold) and decided to have lunch down in the Peacock Alley. Since we were in Florida I had a hankering for a grouper sandwich. We sat down ordered our drinks and were bummed to learn they had no grouper. But…the server said they had a great grouper sandwich at the Clubhouse Lounge Grille and a great view of the golf course. She said take your drinks and head over there! We did as she suggested, and I’m glad. Talk about customer service! We got a seat at the window in their relaxing clubhouse and a tasty grouper sandwich and club sandwich.

Club sandwich and the Clubhouse at Waldorf Astoria Orlando

All this in 24 hours! Think of what else you could do, eat and drink for a few more days. With over 12 restaurants to choose from between the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek a few steps away, it’s an embarrassment of culinary delights and resort amenities.

And if you are looking to add Mickey Mouse to your Orlando experience the Waldorf Astoria has complimentary transportation to all the Orlando Disney theme parks and you can purchase tickets and Disney apparel and accessories in their conveniently located gift shop in the lobby of the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.

For More Information:
Waldorf Astoria
waldorfastoriaorlando.com
14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando, FL
Reservations 888-353-2009

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a luxurious resort that’s also a culinary destination look no further than the Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

When you think of Milwaukee, Wisconsin you immediately think of beer, sausage and cheese. While all these delicious things are certainly a big part of Milwaukee they are far from the only tasty treats in this up and coming Midwest all-American city.

Milwaukee Favorites
Milwaukee Favorites

Avid Food Travelist readers know that I’m a tea drinker. Somehow I never picked up the coffee habit. When I was growing up my Mom and Grandmother drank a lot of tea and passed their passion along to me. I have to admit that much of my early tea was the yellow label Lipton (which still brings back good memories  every time). As I grew up and started sampling other teas I was quickly hooked and now have several cabinets loaded with teas from around the world.

Imagine my surprise when we were visiting Milwaukee and I discovered how many teas originate from our Chicago neighbor. Here’s a quick look at just a few of the tea choices brewing in Milwaukee.

Tea Is Brewing In Milwaukee

Whether you’re looking for a spot to have a delicious cup of tea, a place to buy tea to take with you or a site for a tea tasting Milwaukee has you covered.

Rishi Tea 

Rishi means “one who is a seer, sage, or seeker of truth” in Sanskrit.  At Rishi they take tea to another level with all their organic teas. Rishi Tea was born in Milwaukee in 1997 when it dawned on entrepreneur Joshua Kaiser that the interest in coffee and wine might just mean that Americans would also find the fine flavors of tea alluring as well. It turns out he was right. Joshua’s interest in travel and culinary classics make him a great friend of Food Travelist. He travels around the world to source the best organic ingredients and teas.

Rich Tea in Milwaukee
Rich Tea Tasting Room in Milwaukee

We had the chance to visit Rishi’s state-of-the-art 32,00o square foot world headquarters and tasting room in Milwaukee and were really impressed. The facility is organized to ensure that the tea storage meets very stringent organic food safety standards and protects aroma segregation. It’s quite an involved production. Who knew?

Rishi Tea at Story Hill BKC Milwaukee
Rishi Tea at Story Hill BKC Milwaukee

You may have seen Rishi teas in fine dining establishments, cafes, coffee shops, and retailers like Whole Foods. What we found really inspiring are the local Milwaukee restaurants that serve Rishi too. One of our favorite breakfast spots BKC Milwaukee carries a full line of Rishi Teas.

Rishi carries loose tea and bagged tea. Many serious tea drinkers only drink loose-leaf tea but Rishi’s new filter mesh bags made from plant-based resources are definitely worth a try. The looser weave of the bag raises the infusion quality and makes for an excellent cup of tea.

Watch the super short video below for more explanation.

My favorites from Rishi are Tumeric Ginger, Tangerine Ginger, Sencha Green Tea, and Green Tea Jasmine. They also have a full line of Matcha tea if you’re like me and have to have your cup of Matcha every morning.

You can also purchase Rishi through their website rishi-tea.com

Rishi Organic Green Jasmine Tea at Locavore
Rishi Organic Green Jasmine Tea at Locavore

Urbal Tea 

When you first meet Nick Nowaczyk you immediately understand why he’s in the tea business. He loves tea and he loves the benefits of tea. Even as a small boy Nick was picking flowers, berries, and mushrooms at the family cabin in northern Wisconsin.

In a search to discover a cure for a cold he was suffering from Nick began experimenting with natural remedies and healing. Shortly after, he began selling his tea blends to friends, family, and at farmers’ markets.

What makes Urbal Tea really different is that it’s made from dried herbs. All “teas” are caffeine free and loose, not in bags.

Urbal Tea Tasty & Good For You
Urbal Tea Tasty & Good For You

Urbal Tea has three lines – Apothecary Blends, Herbal Selects, and Wellness Blends each carefully designed for a different purpose. For example, Free Flex is an herb mix that helps bring moisture and flexibility to joints and enhances the range of motion. After Dinner aid in digestion with a mix of peppermint leaf, ginger root, fennel seed, raspberry leaf, nettle leaf, orange peel, rosemary, and licorice root.

Whether or not the herbs actually help with any conditions, the FDA won’t say. But we can say that enjoying a warm cup of herbal ingredients is a calming and relaxing habit at a minimum.

Beans & Barley carries Urbal Teas
Beans & Barley carries Urbal Teas

Urbal Teas are sold in several retail stores in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin including Beans & Barley, which we just love. Stop in pick up some Urbal Tea and check out their fun store and cafe while you’re there.

You can also order Urbal Tea products on their website urbalhealth.com.

Colectivo Letterbox Teas

Many coffee drinkers may know Colectivo for their hand-roasted award-winning coffee and scratch-baked taste treats from their own Troubadour Bakery.

Their name might sound familiar to travelers of Latin America. “Collectives” are the multi-color creatively decorated public transportation buses used throughout the region. The buses represent a regular part of life, which is what Colectivo Coffee wants to encourage for its customers. They strive to build enduring relationships with their customers with quality products and relaxing comfy places to enjoy life.

Collective Teas in Milwaukee
Colectivo in Milwaukee grinds its own coffee on-premise.

If you’re a tea drinker you need to check out their Letterbox teas. All are hand selected and crafted especially for Colectivo. Black teas, green teas, white teas, herbals, and organic teas are all available for the tasting.

Lots of tea to choose from at Collectivo
Lots of tea to choose from at Colectivo.

You can enjoy your beverages in one of their stores or cafes, or take tea and coffee home or for gifts.

Collectivo LetterBox Tea Look What Teas They Are Brewing in Milwaukee
Colectivo LetterBox Tea

There are Collectivo locations throughout the greater Milwaukee area. Check out their website for locations and hours ColectivoCoffee.com.

As I mentioned in the beginning this is just the tip of the iceberg of tea tasting in Milwaukee. If you’ve got a favorite tea maker or place to have the perfect spot of tea please let us know.

Many thanks to our friends at Visit Milwaukee for helping us plan our trip to Milwaukee to meet these fine tea purveyors. Check out their site visitmilwaukee.org for lots of ideas on what else you can do in Milwaukee.

THE QUICK BITE: Teas Brewing in Milwaukee. Beer is not the only thing brewing in Milwaukee there are many teas brewing in Milwaukee too. Take a quick look at just some of the teas we discovered in Milwaukee!

Paris chefs make the French city shine. Paris is known for many things. The Eiffel Tower. Notre Dame cathedral. Even the River Seine that runs through it. But perhaps more than anything else that illustrates the soul of Paris and why we love it, is the cuisine that has made Paris one of the most sought after destinations by visitors from everywhere in the world. Paris chefs are a national treasure. To shine a spotlight on delicious Paris, the mayor of the city, the Honorable Anne Hidalgo, held an event at city hall that was unlike any other both in its scope and significance to the culinary community worldwide.

Eiffel Tower Paris Food Travelist

We had the honor of being among a chosen few international journalists selected to attend the event hosted by the Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo honoring the more than 80 Paris chefs with Michelin stars under their belts.

Paris Celebre Ses Chefs Delicious Paris Press Conference

The pre-event press conference was led by Alain Ducasse, whose restaurants boast a total of 19 Michelin stars. He gave a very personal and heartfelt presentation of his concern for all people and their connection to high-quality, healthful food options. He noted that the typical diet, in his opinion, has too much meat and that he believes that proper nutrition requires a substantial reduction.

Hotel de Ville Celebre Ses Chefs
Hotel de Ville Celebre Ses Chefs

Walking into the Paris Hotel de Ville (city hall) is like stepping back in time. This building has housed the Paris administration since 1357.  In honoring the Paris chefs who have lent their talents and tenacity to making it one of the most celebrated dining cities in the world, the ceremony was held in a magnificent gilded opulent reception room filled with crystal chandeliers and fresco painted ceilings. Being nestle among significant press from around the world and Michelin starred chefs was both humbling and breathtaking. We felt the palpable adoration of the attendees and the affection for and among the celebrants. It was, in a matter of words, a most delicious Parisian event.

Seeing so many of the Paris chefs that have given their all to their craft, many now household names in the foodie world, was awe-inspiring. History was being made, and we felt proud to be a part of it.

Paris Celebre Ses Chefs
Paris Celebre Ses Chefs

Pierre Gagnaire, Joel Robuchon, Guy Savoy, Alain Ducasse, and many other illustrious Paris chefs were on hand, dressed with their sparkling white chef coats, making stunning displays behind the proud mayor.

paris champagne

After a brief video and the presentation of awards to the Paris chefs, we headed into several other rooms where the champagne flowed freely and samples of spectacular cuisine awaited us.

Paris Mayor Anne Hildago Meeting the Chefs
Paris Mayor Anne Hildago Meeting the Chefs

The mayor herself sampled a variety of the Paris chefs’ offerings. Everyone in attendance had one thing in common – the love of great food and drink.

Delicious Paris Chefs Creating Food

Those manning the Paris chefs’ tables were furiously preparing the offerings for anxious attendees, ready to enjoy the best bites Paris has to offer.

Delicious Paris Party with Chefs

Caviar tidbits started the mood in a properly elegant fashion.

Delicious Paris Food Display

From fresh fruit displays that looked gorgeous on their own

Delicious Paris Chef Creations

and clever parsnip logs nestled hidden in a food forest

Delicious Paris Mayor Event Food

to tasty multi-level macarons

Alain Ducasse Salvador Dali Creations Delcious Paris

and whimsical Salvador Dali cream puffs from Ducasse himself, the event was delicious beyond all expectations.

Food Art by Rungis Market International

Even the Rungis market, containing the largest fruit and vegetable market in the world was present to get a nod of thanks and approval from the adoring crowd.

Diana Laskaris Enjoying Delicious Paris

And, of course, we had to partake on your behalf, right? So we did. And we can tell you that Paris continues to be one of the great culinary capitals of the world. We can’t wait for you to have the opportunity to explore the delicious offerings of Paris chefs on your own.

THE QUICK BITE: We had the honor of being among a chosen few international journalists selected to attend the event hosted by the Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo honoring the more than 80 Michelin-starred Paris chefs. Here’s what it was like.

One of the biggest challenges for traveling is deciding what to pack and how to know when enough is too much. Packing can be especially tough before you step onto that long-haul airline trip. While international travel can seem overwhelming if you’re not globetrotting on a regular basis, you can make it a lot easier on yourself with a little preparation and planning. Here are some of our favorite pro travel packing tips to make getting ready for your trip much more pleasant and manageable.

The_Final_Check

8 Pro Travel Packing Tips

1. Make A List  If you’re like me and can’t remember something you went to get in the next room, chances are you’ll forget something you meant to pack if you don’t have a list. One of our key pro traveler packing tips is to be sure to include the little things we all tend to forget like small umbrellas, mini flashlights, medicines, cords, gadgets or anything that will make your trip a success.

2. Paper.  It may be green to go paperless, but one of our next pro traveler packing tips is that this is one instance when it pays to have a physical copy of your passport, visa, credit card, and any other important documents. Keep them in your hotel safe when you’re traveling. We always keep at least one actual credit card and some cash in the hotel safe – just in case. Be sure that your credit cards actually work overseas and most importantly check if they have a foreign transaction fee. It can end up costing you a ton in extra add-on charges if you use the wrong card. Capital One, American Express Platinum, United Explorer, and Citibank AAdvantage Executive are among U.S.-issued cards that currently do not charge this fee. Other cards around the world offer the same benefit. The terms do vary from time to time, so be sure to verify with your card company before you travel outside of your own country. You might also want to bring a pen to fill out those customs forms when you return from your journeys.

Travel Snacks
Travel Snacks

3. Water & Snacks. When it’s offered, airline food can often be unappetizing or worse. If you’re not flying first or business class, where the food may be substantially better,  it makes sense to bring something edible along with you that you know you will like. Another one of our pro traveler packing tips is that taking healthful snacks with you can put you way ahead of the game, no matter what they may be offered onboard. Dry roasted edamame, pretzels, cheese and crackers, dried fruit, and, of course, dark chocolate are all great options. Other passengers will look at you with envy when you take out your little snack pack. Go Picnic, which provides packaged combinations of snacks, is another good solution for grab and go easy but healthy alternative. When you’re in another country, you might just want a snack instead of a big meal too. If you have your snacks along, you’ll be good to go without having to pay high mini-bar prices or needing to search for a convenience store. Having your own preferred tasty snacks with you will make your life a lot easier.

If you’re not flying first or business class you’ll also want to bring some water on the flight with you. Check the regulations because some countries do not allow it at all. Others allow it only after you have gone through security. Drink a lot of water when flying. Yes, you might have to get up a few times but that’s ok. It’s better to get up and move around anyway, especially during long flights. Limit your alcohol consumption while you’re at it. It only makes you more dehydrated and sluggish when you arrive at your destination.

4. Medicines. Our pro traveler packing tips also apply to prescriptions or OTC drugs. If there are any that you take regularly, be sure they’re in your carry-on bag. Flight delays or lost luggage can occur, so you’ll want to have them with you, no matter what may happen. If you have regular sinus trouble, sometimes troubled by changes in humidity, take something to help you on the flight and have it available for those unexpected sinus headaches that can make a long flight really miserable. Also bring along any over-the-counter meds you might need aspirin, Imodium, eye drops, or anything you may not be able to get. We carry a small “medicine bag” that has EVERYTHING in it. We just throw it in our bags and we’re good to go. If you do have a cold or stuffy nose, chewing gum can also help alleviate the “plugged ear” syndrome when landing.

5. Layers.  You never know if it’s going to be hot or cold on a plane. The thin blankets provided can help if you get chilly, but sometimes you need a little more. Our pro traveler packing tips include packing a pashmina, scarf, or light sweater for the unknowable temperatures of plane travel as well as for adding some warmth if it ends up colder in your destination than you anticipated. It won’t take up too much room and will add a little style to any outfit while on the road.

So many gadgets to pack!
So many gadgets to pack!

6. Gadgets. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. What’s worse than not having your device? Not having it charged. Our pro traveler packing tips include making sure you put all your gadgets and your cords in your carry-on. When traveling internationally be sure to bring the correct adapters too. Most planes now have electrical outlets at your seat, but check with your airline or Seatguru.com before you fly if you’re not sure. If your seat won’t have an outlet, bring along your own extra power with an inexpensive power bank for reserve. Bring a mini-flashlight to keep in your gadget bag.  Sometimes there are power outages in some countries and it’s best to be prepared for any potential interruptions. One of the gadgets I never travel without is my Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones. These make it easy to transport yourself away no matter who’s sitting next to you.

7. Entertainment. Be sure you load up your favorite laptop, tablet or phone with music, movies, books, podcasts, and games. Most airlines have terrific entertainment on long-haul flights but you never know when the system might fail, you’ve already seen everything they have to offer, or there’s just nothing there you want to see. If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber you can download movies and TV shows before you leave to your device and watch them anywhere. It doesn’t hurt to bring a real book or magazine for times when you just want to read something the old-fashioned way.

8. Extras. Bring an extra set of clothes, underwear, and toiletries with you in your carry-on. At least you’ll have another outfit and the ability to clean up if your luggage goes missing.

Here’s a fun infographic just for you to make it simple to remember how to make the packing process easier for yourself!

Food Travelist 8 top packing tips

Bonus Tips

Pack light! After packing all these snacks, cords, and other stuff you say pack light? Yep! Get everything out take a look and start taking things away. Do you really need that extra pair of shoes? Speaking of shoes, be sure you pack comfortable shoes because travel for us means lots of walking. I pack my Dansko boots in the winter and shoes the rest of the year and can walk all day long. They’re comfy and my feet and help support my back. Win. Win.

Coordinate your wardrobe so you can easily mix and match. Wear jewelry that goes with everything or take different ties and a few less shirts. Even if you do check a bag remember you’re going to be schlepping it around in airports, train stations, bus terminals, and public transportation. Packing light is imperative to your sanity and your back.

Flight delays, cranky flight attendants, language barriers, wrong directions, alarm clocks that fail, jet lag, too much bad food, and too much good food, all can make for rough travels. Pack your extra patience and a big smile. You’ll find the whole experience is made a whole lot easier. Remember, you’re experiencing things most people don’t get to – seeing the world, meeting new people, trying new food – count your blessings. Take a deep breath, chuckle a little to yourself and at yourself, and hit the road!

Lastly, have fun. Laugh often, and see the funny side of even the worst travel nightmare. Remember they will make for good stories later to share with your family and friends on Food Travelist. We love all your stories and want to know how your journeys go!

If you have any other travel tips you’d like to offer infrequent flyers please share them in the comments below.

Bon voyage!

THE QUICK BITE: Packing can be one of the most challenging aspects of travel. Here are 8 of our best packing tips to help make it easy for you to lighten the load.

Bundschu Family

This is a guest post by Katie Bundschu of Gundlach Bundschu Winery. We met with Katie in Chicago and had a wonderful lunch at Sepia learning about her family’s wines. They have a great sense of humor and don’t take themselves so seriously. Although they do take their family brand very seriously. We hope you enjoy the post and try the wine! 

Gewurztraminer (‘girls are meaner’ or whatever helps you pronounce it) is my favorite varietal to drink during the holiday season. In all honestly, it’s becoming my go-to wine on a year-round basis now. Maybe too often, but that can be discussed another time. But not just any Gewürztraminer –my family’s Gewürztraminer. Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer – try learning to say that growing up as a kid! Gun-Lock Bun-Shoe is my family’s winery and we are proudly the oldest, family-owned winery in California, located in sunny Sonoma. My great, great, great grandfather founded the winery back in 1858 and we’ve been growing grapes and farming on the same piece of property since then. In addition, we’ve harvested this esoteric varietal for 157 consecutive harvests since. Yes, I’m a lucky girl.

Katie Bundshu headshot - favorite outside
Katie Bundshu

After that shameless plug, now back to the wine…Gewürztraminer sometimes gets a bad rep. Most people are turned off because they think it will be sweet since it’s typically made as a dessert wine. We take more of an “old world” approach to this varietal – since we did originally come from Germany six generations ago. We make it so that its true characteristics of spiciness, beautiful floral aroma, and food-friendly acidity can shine. And did I mention it’s DRY…as in NOT SWEET?

DSC01477

This wine has been and still is on my family’s Thanksgiving and Christmas tables – and not just ‘cause we make it. My dad adds other French wines to that same table. However, we can never get enough Gewurztraminer. With its light body and, let’s face it, quaffability, it pairs with lots of different food, whether it’s turkey and all the fixings of cranberry sauce and stuffing, crab feeds, or oysters on New Year’s, this wine is seriously a good bet with anything. Even Chinese takeout!

Editor’s Note: We had the chance to sample Bundschu’s Gewürztraminer and I have to say that we’re fans. We, like many others, have had other types of Gewürztraminer and simply didn’t care for it. Our eyes were opened by Katie Bundschu. Check out their website at www.gunbun.com to learn more. Thanks, Katie! If you’re looking for something different this holiday season they will have something for you.

QUICK BITE: You may not be able to pronounce it but Gewürztraminer is a very tasty wine that will surprise you. Katie Bundschu tells us why we should add this versatile wine to our holiday table.

When you think of Park City you might immediately think Sundance Film Festival and skiing. But we believe you might be interested in learning that there is also a very tasty side of Park City.

Though it may surprise you, Park City has over 150 restaurants and bars, from award-winning five-star restaurants to casual apres skiing spots. With attention paid to locally sourced ingredients and fresh seafood flown in daily,  there’s something for every palate.

Riverhorse Dinner in Park City, Utah Tasty Park City
The Riverhorse on Main in Park City, Utah

After a long day of outdoor activities, gallery hopping, or shopping, nothing appeals to the senses more than a fabulous meal. Luckily, Park City allows even the first-time visitor to dive into all it has to offer, making it a perfect place to spend a night or two enjoying it all.

Tasty Park City Utah
Tasty Park City Utah

There are plenty of options for the kiddies, including many ski resorts’ renowned ski schools and children’s programs, as well as many off-slope activities for all ages. If you want to explore more adult local gems you’ll want to experience the world’s only ski-in whiskey gastro-distillery High West Distillery.

Mainstreet Park City Utah
Main Street Park City, Utah

The history of this unique town is long and storied. In the late 1860’s the world came to Park City in search of its silver. In its day, Park City yielded over $400 million in silver and created many millionaires including newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst.

Strolling down Main Street you can experience both the old and new of Park City. 65 buildings are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and more than 1,200 miles of tunnels still exist in the surrounding mountains as remnants of the mining days.

Park City boasts its claim as home to the largest ski resort in the United States, Park City Mountain. It’s also home to one of the top-rated ski resorts in the world, Deer Valley Resort. Luxury abounds in Park City at Utah’s only Forbes 5-Star and AAA 5-Diamond hotel, Stein Ericksen Lodge Deer Valley. With more luxury ski-in/ski-out accommodations than any other North American resort town, Park City offers the Waldorf Astoria, St. Regis, and Montage Deer Valley. Deer Valley Resort is known far and wide for its impeccable guest service, something we always welcome.

MT-scenic-dog-sledding

Extremely popular winter activities like skiing and snowboarding are just the beginning in Park City. Winter fly-fishing trips, hot air ballooning, bobsledding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, and snow tubing are some of the other wonderful options to enjoy the spectacular outdoor Park City environment.

Want to experience an Olympic Bobsled run? Then check out Utah Olympic Park. Host of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games it’s now open year-round and is a training ground for high-performance athletes. You can even take a bobsled ride piloted by a professional bobsled driver. Less than a mile long and with speeds up to 50 mph you’re sure to be in for a memorable ride.

Sweet treats in Tasty Park City
Sweet treats in Tasty Park City

If you want a break from the slopes there are several food and wine tours available to help you explore. The Park City Food Tour, the Gourmand Tour, and the Utah Wine Tours all offer unique tastes of Park City for visitors or locals.

Warm stone massage.
Warm stone massage.

Park City also offers a large variety of local shops, galleries, spas, and salons to fill up the non-skiers days.

If you love discovering new artists check out the Park City Gallery Stroll. On the last Friday of every month, this free community event lets visitors enjoy light refreshments while exploring Park City’s many wonderful art galleries.
MR-Town-at-Night

The Sundance Film Festival whose mission is to discover and develop independent artists and audiences is now a place to see and be seen by film lovers everywhere. Every January filmmakers and attendees descend on beautiful Park City to preview the new hopefuls and industry favorites. While winter in Park City is a skier’s paradise, a visit in the summer will also appeal to Food Travelists with The Park City Food & Wine Classic or the Savor the Summit event. Easy to get to, Park City is a short 35-minute drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Interested in learning more? Check out this short video Park City at A Glance!

Check out Visit Park City for all the details on planning your own trip to Park City, Utah.

This post is sponsored by Visit Park City. As always all opinions are our own.

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a destination that has lots of winter activities, beautiful accommodations, and lots of food to explore visit tasty Park City in Utah.

Ever wonder what it takes to be a travel blogger? Now’s your chance to find out. We were invited to speak at the TBEX North America in Fort Lauderdale.  TBEX stands for travel bloggers exchange. We’ll take you behind the scenes of travel blogging at TBEX. It is billed as the world’s  largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, new media content creators and social media savvy travel industry professionals.  We’ve attended previous TBEX conferences in Toronto, Dublin, and Diana spoke in Cancun specifically about food travel. We always come away having caught up with old friends, making new friends and being filled with inspiration & new ideas for Food Travelist. TBEX in Fort Lauderdale was no exception!

Hello Sunny TBEX

As food travel bloggers we typically travel to destinations via a media or press trip. Our accommodations, food and activities are usually provided by a destination marketing organization (DMO) or by the business or product sponsoring our trip. TBEX is a bit different because it is a trade conference for travel bloggers. Speakers may have their basic costs covered but attendees make their own travel arrangements. However, TBEX does a terrific job of attracting sponsors who offer organize parties, tours, special events and access to unique experiences available to all the bloggers before, during and after the 2-day conference. This conference was sponsored by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. They did a wonderful job highlighting all the reasons travel bloggers should tell their readers about Fort Lauderdale.

Behind the scenes of travel blogging at TBEX North America

Carol Cain Empowering the audience at TBEX
Carol Cain Empowering the audience at TBEX

TBEX kicked off with keynote speaker, Carol Cain of Girl Gone Travel. Carol is well-known as an outspoken travel blogger who always speaks in her own unique and humorous voice. Her talk was inspirational and forced many of us to re-think how we present ourselves to our audiences.

TBEX-Panel-Discussion

The conference contains several tracks of breakout sessions in areas such as content, commerce, community, and business that focus on exploring ways to improve your blogging and your website. There are also speed networking meetings with potential sponsors, partners and allies. You have the opportunity to set up 10 minute meetings in advance for the 2-hour sessions both days.  These meetings are valuable opportunities for everyone to learn about others, discover common interests and explore ways they might work together.

One of the most important and rewarding aspects of TBEX is the chance to meet other travel bloggers. Many of us know one another only from communicating online. Being able to meet meet face-to-face is memorable, invaluable and fun.  Meeting new people and hearing their stories of how they got started and what they’re doing is also a highlight, and is helpful and interesting as you exchange ideas and information.

Lee Blackwoow of Eat Travel Cook at TBEX
We met Lee Blackwood of Eat Travel Cook at TBEX

We got to finally meet Charles McCool and his wife Julie of McCool Travel and Lee Blackwood of Eat Travel Cook. Industry authority Johnny Jet and his wife Natalie were sweet and very approachable.

The FoodTravelists Presenting At TBEX

We also had the chance to meet lots of bloggers who came to listen to our  Top Ten Ways to Accelerate Community Growth presentation. We did our best to engage and entertain the large audience, and loved hearing questions from the crowd. We really look forward to keeping in touch with the new people we met there and hearing about how they grow their communities.

BrewBrew Bus Tour at TBEX in Fort Lauderdale
Brew Bus Tour at TBEX in Fort Lauderdale

During TBEX we had the chance to take advantage of many of the TBEX activities. Before the conference, there are several “PreTBEX” tours that highlight activities of interest to travel bloggers in the host destination.We went on the Brew Bus tour of Fort Lauderdale with a dozen or so fellow travel bloggers and loved it. The plentiful samples of locally made beer was surprising and terrific! We can’t wait to write about our experience (so look to see us post about it soon).

Margaritaville Hollywood Hotel
Margaritaville Hollywood Hotel

We also experienced the recently opened and beautiful Margaritaville Hotel in Hollywood,  just a short drive from Fort Lauderdale. It was delightfully attractive and their beach and pool areas are stunning.

TBEX Party at MODS. We love animals!
TBEX Party at MODS. We love animals!

The big TBEX opening-night party was held at MODS, the Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale. We were treated to bites of tasty “Floribbean” cuisine and free run in this hands-on museum. We took a crazy, bumpy journey on the Zombie 7D Ride. We explored the intriguing geography of the red planet in the Mars Rover simulator. And we whizzed through the everglades on a simulated airboat, alligators watching from the waters and all.

The 7D Zombie Ride was really bumpy!
The 7D Zombie Ride was really bumpy!

Fort_Lauderdales_Billionaires_Row_TBEX_Food_Travelist

We also had some time to take the fun Water Taxi through parts of the Intracoastal Waterway canals, the signature water passages that give Fort Lauderdale the reputation as Venice of the United States. Seeing multi-million dollar yachts and homes along “Billionaire Row” was like being part of a waterway version of  “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”

Pan E' Dolci on Los Olas Blvd.
Pan E’ Dolci on Los Olas Blvd.

Of course, no trip for us is complete without taking in the local tastes. We explored the famous Los Olas Boulevard and found a few little gems that we’ll also be writing about very soon, including the ridiculously delicious Pan E’ Dolci with real deal gelato made from the owner’s very own Tuscany recipes. We had to sample some for you, just to be sure it was authentic. And believe us, it was! Stay tuned for more about that soon…

Mahi Mahi Tacos at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
Mahi Mahi Tacos at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina

While in Fort Lauderdale we stayed at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina. It was a perfect place to stay – right across from the Convention Center where the conference took place. We also had a handy water taxi stop right out in front of the hotel, making it easy to hop on and explore. We had a lovely lunch including a delicious Cuban sandwich with sweet potato fries and super-fresh and tasty Mahi tacos while kicking back at The G, the Hilton’s pool bar & grill cafe on our first day.

Caps Place in hidden gem!
Cap’s Place Island Restaurant – a real hidden gem!

On our last night, we decided to venture out with our friends Katie and Margaret from Visit Milwaukee to check out Cap’s Place. We went directly to the source and asked the folks at Visit Lauderdale where to get terrific fish. They said Cap’s Place Island Restaurant served the freshest in Broward County. Recognized as a National Landmark and Florida’s oldest restaurant, the entire Cap’s experience is extraordinary, starting with the little ferry boat take to get there. Intrigued? Good! This is just an appetizer. Come back and read all about our delicious experience of this one-of-a-kind Florida dining.

Early flights before the sunrise.
Early flights before the sunrise.

All good things must come to an end. The less glamorous part of travel blogging sometimes is the actual travel. We were up at 4 am to catch our early morning from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando, where we are attending FoodFightWrite, a food blogging exploration of the exploding world of food sport. More on that in another post too!

Thank you TBEX for another wonderful conference. We loved making new friends and colleagues and catching up with old ones. We were inspired by those we met and picked up some amazing ideas as well. We enjoyed Fort Lauderdale and all its attractions.

QUICK BITES: Travel bloggers have conferences too! We give you an inside look at TBEX, the world’s largest gathering of travel writers and bloggers.

Jon Porter the Pizza Pro
Jon Porter the Pizza Pro

 

If you love pizza, perhaps you’ve thought about how you could get a job getting paid to eat pizza. Well, our featured member, Jonathan Porter, has managed to do just that! Here’s a q & a with the owner of Chicago Pizza Tours, and pizza pro just for you.

FT: Thanks for talking with us, Jon. We know that there are a lot of folks who just love pizza and are wondering just how did you come to start Chicago Pizza Tours?

JP: My previous career was a salesman working for a company my dad started in 1998.  I worked there until 2009, and did well for most of those years.  In 2009 after losing many of my smaller accounts, I finally lost the big account.  I ended up taking a night job coaching tennis for the park district in Chicago, while trying to sell promotional products during the day.  My wife Renee and I saved our money and jumped all in. We really wanted to showcase the smaller shops that were more “off the beaten path.”  That really paid off for us because the customers loved the places they probably weren’t going to visit unless they were on the tour, and it allowed us to showcase Chicago neighborhoods.  That covers the story of how and why I actually started the business, but I feel like my whole life I was preparing to do this.  Growing up, I had this group of friends since grade school and we were all big time into pizza.  I mean when other kids were going to the arcade or bowling, we were begging our parents to go to pizzerias.  We are all still friends to this day and still get pizza at new places whenever we can.

Gino's East Chicago style Deep Dish Pizza Jon Porter The Pizza Pro
Gino’s East Chicago style Deep Dish Pizza

 

FT: What differences are there in the various pizzas you’ve tried?

JP: No two pizzas are ever truly alike, they are all unique to the person baking them. I might eat at the same restaurant 3 times in 1 week and find a variance between Tuesday’s and Friday’s dough, but that’s just the pure physics of baking.  Chicago is an unbelievable city to try different styles of pizza…Deep dish,  tavern style thin crust, Neapolitan, Coal baked east coast, NY style, Sicilian, styles from Florence, Roman, even pizzas from the Puglia region of Italy.

FT: What are the most common questions about pizza that people ask you?

 

Coal Fire Pizza Chicago Food Travelist
Coal Fire Pizza, Chicago, IL

 

JP: The usuals are “What’s your favorite?” or “Have you been to such and such yet?” but the one that I enjoy the most is “Deep dish pizza stinks!?!”  That one’s not really a question, more so someone hitting me with a statement and looking for me to defend the style.  I usually follow it up with, which places have you tried and what was it specifically about the pizza that offended you?  Chances are they’ve either gone to a chain that it churning them out carelessly, or even tried the style at a place called “Chicago’s Deep Dish Pizza” in a town in Idaho.

FT: What’s an interesting fact associated with pizza that people probably don’t know?

JP: Modern day pizza as we know it really started as the leftover scraps for peasants.  It became so popular that royalty could not ignore it and had to see what all the fuss was about.  In just a short period of time, pizza had a meteoric rise from the slums to the palace.

FT: If you could have any pizza in the world right now, what would it be?

JP: This is going to depend on the day and the mood I am in.  Right now, I am a little bummed that I have not had Frank Pepe’s or Sally’s Pizza in New Haven.  I have seen tons on TV, read plenty, and met people that actually worked there on my tours.  For this question it isn’t a matter of looking backwards but looking forward to something unknown.

Pizanos Pan Pizza
Chicago’s Famous Pizano’s Pan Pizza

 

FT: Here’s a special Bonus Question: Any favorite celebrity pizza stories to share?

JP: President Bill Clinton held up Air Force One at O’Hare airport in order to have some Pizano’s pizzas delivered.  That’s just awesome.

We think you’re awesome, Jon. Thanks for talking with us.

If you plan to make your way to Chicago, or you’re already there and want to do a pizza adventure, check  out Chicago Pizza Tours  today.

THE QUICK BITE: Chicago Pizza Tours’ Jonathan Porter can tell you everything you never knew about pizza – and more!

 

  • Signup for our newsletter

    Be the first to see our latest news, deals and articles.

    Please wait...

    Thank you for sign up!