Oceania Destinations

Ben Aitken is an award winning writer whose latest book, “Shitty Breaks” has him exploring the least-visited cities in the U.K. He tells Brent about the benefits of going in the wrong direction. And, there’s the food and drinks like a good drop in Wrexham, orange chips, and a dish called lobscouse. Plus, a quick…

Chocolate tasting is a highlight of any visit to Belgium. But, there’s another chocolate experience you can’t miss! Chocolate If you love chocolate like I do, Bruges, Belgium is definitely the city for you! They even have a chocolate festival in March sponsored by the Chocolate Guild. Speaking of the Chocolate Guild, this organization certifies…

Brent has been living in Portugal for 3½ years. He shares how he chose Portugal as their new place to live including criteria like ease of getting citizenship and personal safety. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V72wpOYrXT0 About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel “Truffle…

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo we’re sampling some of the best tacos in Texas including West Indian tacos in San Antonio, Baja tacos in Fort Worth, and puffy tacos. Plus, donuts with tacos and Taco Bell almost breaking up a marriage. [Ep 335] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jPKn5c7Qqw About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink….

The little cookie that you often get on plane flights has stirred up a controversy. Speculaas When I was a kid, my mom would sometimes buy us a package of windmill-shaped cookies. They were some of my favorites and I loved dunking them in a glass of milk. Archway’s version of Speculaas (image: biglots.com) What…

Brent is on the hunt for a unique cocktail made with a local soda. Plus, he tries a spirit made from prickly pears and a chocolate cocktail. There’s also a local beer, a gin cocktail made with lemongrass and lychee fruit, and a disappointing limoncello. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ctEnHmmuWs About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of…

Grainne Lawlor is the founder of food and whiskey tour company Flavour Trails. She shares the best things to eat and drink in Dublin including boxty, a controversial dish called coddle, as well how to pair food with whiskey. Plus, why the Irish traditionally didn’t eat a lot of fish even though it’s an island…

Brent is on the island nation of Malta to sample the most delicious in the capital city of Valletta. He has homemade pasta (Malta is just a stone’s throw from Sicily), local bread called ftira, a delicious local dessert, and Maltese wine. Plus, he visits a church filled with artwork, including a Renaissance masterpiece, and…

Toni Mazzaglia is an expert on the cuisine of Florence and Tuscany. With Easter coming up, she tells Brent about all the things to eat during Easter celebrations (so many!) including Easter desserts, fresh peas and artichokes, and, of course, Easter Lamb. Plus, the best things to eat during Lent leading up to Easter! [Ep…

An experiment in a pharmacy likely led to the creation of this beloved local treat. Cuberdon Little Ghent Noses (photo: Brent Petersen) These little cone-shaped candies might be the most famous treat in Ghent. Cuberdons, sometimes called Neuzekes or Little Noses are maybe an inch and a half tall with a thin, chewy crust and…

Brent is in Lille, France where they drink beer, not wine. He samples a strong local cheese, a dish imported from Wales, and a vegan version of Provencal stew. Plus, a visit to a book fair in a 17th century mansion and the local market with the freshest produce and prepared food from around the…

Brent visits with Mona, an expert on the food and culture of Cairo, Egypt. She tells me all the different people who have made Cairo home and the dishes they brought with them from the Sinai Peninsula, the western desert, and Upper Egypt. We talk about pickles on falafel, dolma cooked by mom, and proving…

Belgium is known the world over for its amazing chocolate. The city of Ghent has some of the countries best chocolate shops. Photo: Brent Petersen Chocolate Shops Belgium is perhaps the most famous country for chocolate in the world (though the Swiss might have something to say about that). In Ghent, you’re spoiled for choice….

Brent is in Lille, France to try the best sweets & treats the city has to offer. From the famous Gaufre at Meerts to the marvelous Merveilleux and an amazing raspberry tart. Plus, a visit to a unique bakery for a delicious pistachio pastry! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsLnOqDWv_E About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination…

We’re sampling little plates packing big flavor like salted cod on polenta in Venice, tangy pickled vegetables in Seville, eggplant mezze in Istanbul, and delicious artichokes in Barcelona. Plus, delicious drinks with your snacks like a Select spritz or a little glass of sherry. [Ep 331] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpCSffdw3Ks About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief…

The classic Brown Bar in Ghent, Belgium has found a way to prevent the theft of glassware. Dulle Griet Probably the most popular bar in Ghent is Dulle Griet. A typical Belgian brown bar (dark walls, creaky wooden floors, old chairs, etc) with lots of added kitsch like dolls, not to mention shoes, hanging from…

Brent has been living in Portugal for 3 1/2 years. He breaks down the cost of living from Rent, food, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and more in this informative video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOSS8Vjzm7A About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel Truffle Hunt (Eckhartz Press) and…

Jamie Coelho is the Editor in Chief at Rhode Island Monthly magazine, an institution in the Ocean State. She shares Rhode Island’s many unique culinary delights like pizza strips, coffee milk, cabinets, Rhode Island style calamari, and why you never get ketchup on your hot wiener! Plus, a new food hall and tons of restaurant…

Brent is in Ghent to try some amazing Belgian beer including one with over 10% alcohol and named for the symbol of the city. Plus, he gives up his shoe to drink a giant beer, samples an award with beer brewed in an abbey, and tries a brew made with herbs instead of hops. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weDmRLl9JAo…

Namtam is a gastronomy expert from Thailand who takes hungry travelers around her city of Phuket to enjoy the city’s amazing cuisine. From hokkien noodles to tea leaf salad to mom’s gaeng som, Nam tells Brent about all the best dishes in Phuket, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Plus, why she has curry in her…

The Azores is the only place in Europe where tea is grown commercially. Azorean Tea origin story The Azores is a Portuguese island chain in the north Atlantic Ocean. In the 19th century, oranges were the biggest Azorean crop. Orange production was incredibly profitable, but when an orange blight wiped out the trees, farmers had…

Brent visits Ghent to try the best dishes in this fantastic Belgian city. He samples soups to warm you up on cold Belgian days and the famous treat called Cuberdon. Plus, Snowballs, creative vegan dishes and a ginormous platter of fries! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTcGv_NDgdc About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently…

For St. Patrick’s Day, Brent is in Ireland for a visit to a castle (and some ice cream!) with Samantha Brown. Then, it’s off to Dublin for a few pints (and great craic) before we trek back to Northern Ireland for some incredible Game of Thrones sites. [Ep 328] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwZCCPZ2YFE About the Author Brent Petersen…

Sete Cidades origin story 36,000 years ago a volcano erupted on the Azorean island of São Miguel. The resulting craters formed 2 lakes, Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and Lagoa Verde (Green Lake). According to legend, these two lakes were formed when a couple, a shepherd and princess, were forced to part. Their tears, blue and…

Brent is in Ghent, Belgian to sample the best chocolate the city has to offer. He samples fancy little chocolates infused with lavender and Scotch, dark chocolate covered marshmallows, and tries the original praline. Plus, he gets lost in a bike jungle and checks out a 13th century church. It’s a super delicious trip to…

Brent is getting jittery with flat whites from Australia, a frozen coffee drink from Milan, and a coffee amusement park [Ep 327] https://youtu.be/SuQrErQseFI About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel Truffle Hunt (Eckhartz Press) and the short story collection That Bird. He’s also…

Portugal’s Azores archipelago was formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Even today, molten rock, just below the surface, heats underground water. Thermal spas take advantage of this phenomenon, as do local chefs. Food in a volcano The most unique dish in the Azores is the Cozido das Furnas. Roughly translated to Cavern Stew,…

After revealing 5 things he thinks Portugal does better than the U.S., Brent gives his opinion on 5 things he thinks are better in the U.S. than Portugal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuL94ZN6COk About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel Truffle Hunt (Eckhartz Press) and the…

Barry Enderwick literally wrote the book on sandwiches. His tome “Sandwiches of History” covers the origin of some famous sandwiches and more recent delicious entries. Barry tells Brent about some of the most interesting sandwiches including a Nicoise salad sandwich, the Hot Chicken Tuna sandwich, and how the Brits got creative to find a banana…

Brent is in Bruges, Belgium to try the city’s famous chocolate. He has orange slices dipped in dark chocolate, hot chocolate made with Costa Rican beans, a lemoncello filled chocolate, and a passion fruit praline that blows his mind! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LrPdgXTrBY About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides…