FoodTripper.com Latest Articles

Book Launch: Food Tripper Books Publishes 10 Minute Tapas

Food Tripper's Editor Helen Hokin publishes Ten Minute Tapas on Kindle

Iceland: A Weekend in Reykjavik

Fresh air, fresh flavours, Melanie Leyshon revived her senses and her tastebuds over a weekend in Reykjavik

Nordic and Nice

Melanie Leyshon shares her new-found enthusiasm for all things Scandi on a walk-around weekend in Stockholm

Andalucia: Pomegranate season

From her Spanish Kitchen cookery school in Andalucia, Anne Manson delights in seasonal pomegranates.

Christmas: Hand Luggage or Hamper?

Cat Davies looks into the rules on food imports to the UK and finds plenty of scope for bringing back Christmas treats.

Food Tripper's Helen Hokin Wins Best TV Broadcast Feature 2012

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation's Journalism Awards: Helen Hokin takes home first prize for 'Best TV Broadcast Feature 2012'

World Food Awards: Rhianna rocks home with award for Vita Coco

RnB Rhianna romps home with a gong at the fourth annual World Food Awards.

Korea: a spirited adventure

Anna Maria Espsäter gets to grips with kimchi pickled vegetables and gochujang in South Korea’s underexplored Jeollabuk-do province.

Lombardy: Food and Politics

Garibaldi was immortalised in a British biscuit baked by Peek Freans after he spent a week in Newcastle.

Fife: Joan Ransley takes the high road.

Fife has rich grazing land for cattle and sheep; a cool, moist climate for growing soft fruit and fishing villages that land some of the best shellfish in the UK.

Elena Arzak is the World's Best Female Chef

Spain’s Elena Arzak wins the Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef award at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards

Madeira: Portugal's culinary festival debuts with an all star line up

Over the coming months a select group of international gastronomic superstars will be travelling and cooking in Portugal.

Food Tripper Black Forest on Travel Channel

Join me in Germany's Black Forest in my next episode of Food Tripper, on Travel Channel starting March 14th at 8pm

British Art with Bite: Artist immortalises The Queen in a biscuit.

He may not be your traditional portrait artist, but Dominic Wilcox has created a truly delicious likeness of The Queen - out of a Jaffa Cake.

Book review: On the Menu by James Mackenzie

Mackenzie’s is a story of sheer endeavour since he opened the doors of the Pipe and Glass in 2006.

Brick Lane - The 2012 Curry Capital

Brick Lane hosts an exciting new exhibition of its leading culinary personalities

Peru: In search of the perfect Pisco

In Lunahuana village, chickens are soaked in Pisco before roasting. Will Roberts reports.

Win a year's supply of Menier cooking chocolate

Heart melting chocolate for Valentine's Day

Santa Monica: Raw food revolution

Come to California for raw food and a green and peaceful life, writes Lori Ansaldi

The Rice Diary. Dispatches from Delhi

India earned almost £1.5 Billion from basmati in 2010-11. Chris Beanland reports from the Basmati for the World event in Delhi

Third Michelin star for Massimo Bottura

The highest honour from arguably the world's most revered restaurant guide has been awarded to the 11 table establishment belonging to chef-patron Massimo Bottura, one of the world's most creative culinary forces.

Nose to tail eating in Taipei's street food markets

If snake-blood shooters and intestine soup are the mainstays of Taipei's fast food scene, then how can these extreme food-loving islanders grimace at our affection for mouldy Stilton cheese? wonders Will Roberts.

Just mad about saffron: La Mancha, Spain

The world’s costliest spice, historically a root of avarice, may now hold the key to mellowing the opiate trade in Afghanistan. Rob Train investigates

Beijing: A fortune in Chinese tea leaves

In China, tea is a traditional tangible investment and the most coveted variety is pu-erh.

The Four Seasons Hotel: Perthshire

Head chef Peter Woods offers a contemporary and inventive take on Scottish cuisine with locally-sourced ingredients.

Tantalising Cardamom

As autumn advances Zoe Perrett takes comfort in the warmth of cardamom.

Where in the World to Eat: Sarajevo

In Bosnia you never go to someone’s home empty-handed. It is an old Turkish tradition that you will always take something sweet with you.”

The llama farmer, Bolivia

Bolivia-resident Jon Stibbs goes off the traditional epicurious track in search of the “Prince of the Andes”

Savouring the Deep

From Japanese specimens to foraged goodies from Ireland, sea vegetables are nutritious and delicious but thoroughly overlooked.

Tracing the origins of paella in Valencia

Spain has a reputation for the most avant-garde cuisine in Europe. But William Leigh is drawn by the most traditional dish of all.

Forest Feast

The forest in late spring is awash with edible treats. Will Roberts goes foraging.

Waiter, may I have flies in my soup?

Insects may be the next thing on the agenda of many eco-conscious chefs- but can they convince customers?

Wine Girl, Part 4: Southern France Adventures

My fourth vintage was undoubtedly my most challenging and most life changing;
Flying Winemaking in the south of France.

London: Nobu Matsuhisa hosts charity dinners for Japan

Nobu Matsuhisa and other leading London restaurants raise funds for Japan.

Chefs Abroad: Sven Elverfeld of Aqua

Sven Elverfeld of Aqua talks to Foodtripper about a German Easter

Paris for the meat free? Mais oui

A city break in a country noted for its enthusiastic consumption of edible flesh in stages from almost raw to over-cooked doesn’t need to set the vegetarian pulse to panic mode.

Book review: African Fusion Cooking by Nina Gaskell

I hope my book will help bring African food into the mainstream, says author Nina Gaskell

Where in the World to Eat: North Cornwall

Felicity Cloake cooks, eats and drinks the best of North Cornwall.

Restaurant review: 3D Dining at The Ubiquitous Chip, Glasgow.

The Chip's food. 3D visuals are fun; but it was the ingenious flavour combinations of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients that give real depth.

Iceland: A bright future for a national cusine

Innovative chefs, cooking with unique local produce, are shaping the future of Iceland's cuisine.

Letter from Andalucia: Oranges and lemons

Annie Manson writes from her Spanish Kitchen fragrant with seasonal oranges and lemons.

Cornish Pasties Official At Last

The Cornish Pasty Association (CPA) is celebrating after receiving Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for its world famous pasty.

Craig James's Favourite food destinations

Craig James shares his top five food destinations with Foodtripper.

Ken Hom's Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is steeped in superstition, says Chef Ken Hom OBE. But with the right foods and a little Feng-Shui it could help improve your fortune.

Heston Blumenthal talks about the imminent launch of Dinner

Modern British? So last decade. Modern Medieval is the next dining out trend - if Heston Blumenthal has anything to do with it.

Burgundy: Gourmet barging

L'Impressioniste inches along the Burgundy Canal. At this speed, each view is enjoyed for minutes, not seconds. It's unlike any journey I have ever made.

Rio: La Maison Boutique Hotel

With just five bedrooms, personal dining and a hands-on owner, La Maison makes for a bespoke departure from chain hotels

Christmas Bread Stories

Christian countries fire up their ovens to bake traditional, symbolic loaves loaded with fruits, nuts, myths and legends.

Piedmont, Molise and London: On the White Truffle Trail

Mary de Gregorio runs an international truffle business supplying chefs in New York, LA and Vegas as well as London.

Christmas recipe: 3 Michelin Star Chef Martin Berasategui's Apple Tart

Spain’s most Michelin-starred chef, Martin Berasategui shares his favourite seasonal recipe exclusively with Foodtripper.

Celebrity Chefs at Christmas

Foodtripper asked ten of the world's leading chefs what they'd be having for Christmas dinner and more importantly, who's cooking. Here's what they replied.

Foodtripper's 50 Favourite Festive Foods: Christmas 2010

Your Christmas table should look like this.

Ode to Thanksgiving

For those homesick for turkey, sweet potatoes and stuffing...

Mediterranean: Natural cork

Mediterranean cork forests are a rich source of biodiversity. Sustainable, renewable and recyclable, natural cork allows wine the freedom to breathe long after bottling.

Epernay: Champagne gourming

Gourming is a French style update on late afternoon grazing akin to Spain’s tradition of tapas. Sudi Pigott explores.

In Praise of Pickled Cabbage: Korea's Kimchi Festival

To Koreans it is a source of national pride. To visitors it is a foul-smelling curiosity that must be sampled.

Wine and chocolate pairing: Stellenbosch, S.A.

The approach to the Waterford Estate is grand and flanked with orange trees.Wineries that look like this can't make bad wine.

London: The Art of Tea

Afternoon tea on hand crafted porcelain designed by renowned British artist Helen Beard. The perfect excuse to eat - culture and clotted cream.

Spain: Gastronomic Extremadura

Extremadura's landscape reflects its history shaped by Romans, Visigoths and Moors. Yet, despite the scenery and a rich culinary tradition, Extremadura remains largely ignored by British travellers.

California: Wine Month

Where to get the best bottle for your buck? Foodtripper asks leading lights from from California's tourism and wine industry.

Bogota's farmers' market

Scores of pristine white tents filled the square, while a man played an armadillo on the stage.

London: OXO Tower Terrace Garden Transformation

The OXO Tower Restaurant terrace has just been transformed into a magnificent garden by Stephen Woodhams, a Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist.

Hunter Gatherers in the Finnish Arctic

Mid-summer in Northern Finland with latter day hunter-gatherers Helena and Eero Sappanen

Colombia: A food tour, part 1

Medellín’s Otro Sabor food festival, Bogotá’s upscale restaurants and coffee in Quindío.

An ecofriendly taste of Istria

Has this Croatian peninsula found its niche in the holiday market with agritourism?

Time to Eat: Picota Cherries

The Jerte Valley might be an earthly Garden of Eden, but Rob Train finds that cherries, not apples, are the abundant fruit.

Setubal: Dessert wine and dolphins

First thing in the morning, it seems ever so slightly sacrilegious to head straight for the wines so I aim instead for Setúbal’s second claim to fame – dolphins

Chablis: Bacchus on a knife edge

After France, the Brits glug this nervy nectar with more gusto than any other nation. Douglas Blyde ventures Yonne-wards to meet a quartet of Chablis’ most galvanised producers.

Colombia: The Heart of Coffee Country

Bogota resident, Jonathan Stibbs, finds Colombia's coffee-growing region a different place to the days when cocaine ruled over coffee and everything else.

London: Carried Away at Cocktail Hour

Inspired by Sex and The City.2, Foodtripper gets all Carried Away with mixology at London's most stylish hangouts

Argentina's Secret Supper Clubs

Buenos Aires' residents run dining events from their own homes, giving tourists a chance to sample a variety of dishes and meet new people.

Iceland gets the all clear: Dairy Farming on Lake Myvatn

Before the volcano spewed ash into international air space Craig Butcher journeyed to Iceland to meet 7th generation dairy farmers. We venture back to find crystal clear lakes and skies.

England: Best of The South West

Planning a summer holiday in Britain? Zoe Perrett discovers the arriving is as good as the destination with the bounty of British produce available en route to the south west.

Time to eat: South African grapefruit

Will Roberts recalls a childhood abhorring grapefruit. Not so now; this all grown-up palate jumped at the chance to sample seasonal South African varieties and even suggests a few unusual pairings.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2010

At a glittering ceremony held at The Guild Hall, London, April 2010 the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants were announced. Foodtripper was there and we have all fifty chart-topping restaurants right here.

Cupcake Affairs

A year ago, cupcakes were king- but have we become jaded? Zoe Perrett eats her own body weight in eclairs and macarons hoping for new thrills from other baked goods

Canada: Vancouver to Jasper by train

There are quicker ways to travel the 270-miles from Vancouver to Jasper, but none are quite so scenic as weaving through the Rockies on the Canadian, the magnificent stainless steel art deco-style train.

Food Hotel: The Sarojin, Khao Lak, Thailand.

Alabaster sand, cerulean seas and cooking up a traditional Thai curry in the jungle in Khao Lak.

The Real Food Festival: Foodtripper's Top 10 for 2010

In a few short weeks The Real Food Festival comes to life for the third time. To help you navigate the world's largest urban farmyard Foodtripper has come up with ten must-visit producers.

Edinburgh: Oil & Whisky

With fewer than 500 bottles allocated for the UK’s most distinguished dipsomaniacs, I had flown to Edinburgh to sip master blender, Richard Paterson’s conversion of water from the rapids of the River Averon into one of the world’s finest malts...

Food Hotel: Mesmear, North Cornwall

Last Wednesday at 8am, I was on the tube, snuggled into a stranger’s armpit on my way to City Airport. A couple of hours later, I was motoring through the daffodil-fringed lanes of north Cornwall in the sunshine.

Macau, Part 2: Dim sum and custard tarts

Foodtripper's journey through Macau continues with a Dim Sum feast and Lord Stow's legendary tarts.

Foodtripper TV: Miami - Daniel Boulud talks to Helen Hokin

Miami: Three Michelin Star Chef, Daniel Boulud talks to Helen about opening Bar Bouloud, London this spring.

Time to eat: South African pears

The pear is one of the homeliest residents of our fruit bowl – so imagine my surprise when, on a recent trip to South Africa, I was served some of the finest examples I’ve ever had the pleasure of biting into.

Beyond the Great Wall: the secrets of Chinese Cuisine

Which foods symbolise prosperity, happiness and wealth? What's the correct way to roast a Peking duck? The Delicious China Tour has all the answers and more.

Author profile: Trina Hahnemann

Author of The Nordic Diet, Trina Hahneman, on Rye bread, The Rolling Stones and The Royal Cafe.

Meat and apricot jam.

In a country of vast game ranges springbok, reebok and eland are all commonplace on menus. But apricot jam comes from nowhere.

New Year: Wine Girl Part 3 - For the love of bubbles

Lucy finds her calling making sparkling wines at Domaine Chandon in the Australian Yarra Valley.

Penbugle Farm, Cornwall

Will Roberts meets the Cornish farmer behind Whole Foods Market's ethically produced meat.

A Plum of a Pudding

Foodtripper explores the web of symbol and superstition behind the Christmas pudding.

Wine Girl: Part 2 - How to Curb Temptation

The lure of highly alcoholic, sweet, luscious wines is enough to tempt anyone - especially on a cold winter's night, writes Lucy Clements.

Jersey: It's butter but not as we know it

Traditionally produced in November the islanders associate it with Christmas. Philip Lowery meets the Jersey Black Butter makers

Christmas Down Mexico Way

For Christmas, Anna Maria Espsater travels to Mexico where turkey originated and Christianity still thrives.

Twelve Days of Christmas Markets

Christmas market season's upon us. Here are our twelve favourite destinations for eating, drinking and making merry.

Hooked on Titicaca’s trout or Trout and Titicaca’s cars

In La Paz, fresh fish is a luxury—the coast is a country away and the Choqueyapu river is so filthy even microbes cannot survive in it, reports Jonathan Stibbs.

Argentina's vegetarian rebels: Buenos Aires

Beef might be the country's protein of choice but vegetarian cuisine has found a foothold in Argentina and now seems set to flourish, writes Kate Stanworth.

The Other Side of Macau: Part 1.

Andrew Copestake bypasses the roulette wheels to discover Macau's lesser-known and edible attractions.

Hot to trot: the renaissance of casquería

Snubbed for decades by Madrid's middle classes Rob Train finds the Iberian answer to black pudding is making a comeback on restaurant menus.

Swiss cheese in Lucerne

Real Food Festival founder, Philip Lowery finds world class cheese and hospitality to match in Lucerne.

Food Detective: Juniper

As you sip your G&T this autumn, game season in swing, give thanks for the beguiling, bruise-coloured berries ripening on the bushes, writes Zoe Perrett.

Discover the delicious world of Japanese cuisine

Tokyo has more Michelin Stars than any other city. Japan Journeys invite you to a showround.

Food Hotel: Dolder Grand – Zurich

I’ve never quite got my head around Zurich. How can this city of sober bankers also host one of the world’s largest Techno street parties each year?

Wine Girl: Part 1 - Virgin Vintage, Barossa Valley

Ever dreamed of working in wine? Follow our series with winemaker, Lucy Clements, to find out how she did it.

A Vegetarian Weekend in Cork

A concentration of superb veggie providers in Cork had Olivia Greenway jumping at the first excuse to go there.

The rise and rise of organic wine: Rhineland, Germany

Out with the old. Andrew Copestake meets the young Rhineland vintners flying in the face of traditional wine producing techniques.

Lovely Bubbly - Epernay and Reims

The Champagne region is deliciously awash with fizz and a few foods to match, as Craig Butcher discovers.

The Hungry Cyclist in Taiwan. Day 6, Shilin night market, Taipei

The Taiwanese greet one another with: 'Have you eaten? My answer, after cycling the island, is a resounding yes.

Michelin starred mountains, Austria

Everything tastes good at 2200 metres. Frances Booth takes an Alpine food hut walk.

Summer food activities: Beekeeping in England

Will Roberts finds out what it's like to keep 20,000 pets.

Mountain magic - Salzburg, Austria

Austria might not be known for its cuisine – yet. Anna Maria Espsater discovers a few rising star restaurants around Salzburg.

An Italian Meal: Part 4 - Fish

Christine Smallwood haggles over the daily catch

Fiery food fun: UK Chilli cook-off championships 2009

On July 2nd temperatures will soar in London's first Americana Chilli Cook-off.

Clodagh McKenna's Florence

It’s so hard not to dish out a torrent of superlatives in appraising Florence but I will do my best.

Diary of a food festival organiser, part 5

Anne finds out that Wirral Food Festival has been shortlisted for the tourism event of the year.

The Food Detective: Zoe Perrett wonders about watercress

Deemed the 'original superfood', it's a veritable powerhouse of 15 vitamins and minerals. Its origins lie in Ancient Greece, and here in the UK, the Victorians considered it a blood cleanser. It's also reputedly great for hangovers- try it in a 'hair of the dog' Bloody Mary!

An Italian Meal: Part 3 - Pasta

Can you tell tagliatelle from orecchiette? What's the difference between ravioli and penne? Christine Smallwood explores pasta in part three of her series.

The Hungry Cyclist goes fishing - Baja California

The dictionary definition of a tachometer is the device used to determine the speed of rotation of a vehicle’s axle. The Hungry Cyclist’s definition is the average number of tacos consumed in a day while cycling in Mexico

Diary of a food festival organiser, part 4

A dawn raid on a field of asparagus kicks off the season in style.

Ten of the best: gourmet goodies from the Real Food Festival 2009

Food festival spy Zoe Perrett made it her personal mission to eat her way to discovering her top ten food favourites from the Real Food Festival 2009

Recipe: Rowley Leigh's seared mackerel fillets with apple confit, rosemary and pine kernels

“The sharpness of the apple in this dish contrasts perfectly with the delicate mackerel.” Rowley Leigh

Pool Deck Of The Gods: Sampling the best of Las Vegas.

What could easily have been a bloodbath, thankfully turned into a veritable chefs’ hoe-down as Sin City’s finest gathered for a Grand Tasting around the pool of Caesar’s Palace. Andrew Copestake joined them.

An Italian Meal: Part 2 - Antipasti

In the second of her seven-part series, Christine Smallwood considers whether grilled aubergines mark the true start of an Italian meal or just make for a very good picnic.

Diary of a food festival organiser, part 3

As the festival date draws closer Anne quietly eyes the competition in Chester only to find she's the subject of the Chairman's opening speech.

Gourmet Galicia: Sampling the Atlantic Diet

Galicians take their food very seriously, with almost every meal a feast and tasting still a ritual. Anna Maria Espsater joins them on a culinary journey.

A Day in the Life - Steven Snow

Restaurants are “hot, stressful, intense, noisy places,” says Australian chef Steven Snow. But his home on Possum Creek is not. He gives us a peek into his enviable daily life.

Diary of a food festival organiser, part 2

This week Anne invites four celebrity chefs to a photoshoot then narrowly misses setting them on fire with the props: a pan, a match and a bottle of vodka.

Diary of food festival organiser, part 1

Ever dreamed of setting up your own food festival? That's what Anne Benson did. In the run up to Wirral Food Festival's fourth year, Anne shares her diary exclusively with Foodtripper.

Game On

The best of Corsica is found inland, says Will Roberts, as he tackles Wild Boar and Honey Stew away from the cocktail-crazy harbour of Calvi.

An Italian Meal: Part 1 - Bread

In her fortnightly feature, Christine Smallwood deconstructs, to the last delicious crumb, the Italian meal. This week: Bread

Walking Turkey's first honey route

Balyolu is the first honey tasting walking journey of its kind, led and inspired by local women

Cayman: Kitchen Confidential with Anthony Bourdain

Foodtripper had No Reservations about meeting the legendary author and chef.

Cake Britain - swapping canvas for cake at London's Future Gallery

UK’s leading artists swap canvas for cake and oil paint for icing sugar during the Cake Britain exhibition in London

Where in the World to Eat: L.A.

Foodtripper follows the most discerning Angelinos to three hot dining spots.

Colombia: Bogota bakes

On Sundays, Bogota's streets are closed to traffic and open to the city's pastry-loving pedestrians. Jon Stibbs follows the crowd for a bite of Colombia's lesser-known baked treats.

Island life: St Lucia for Food Lovers

Discerning food lovers will lap up these luxury Caribbean food adventures.