U.K. & Ireland Destinations

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…

Brent visits with Pooja from A Chef’s Tour in Mumbai, India. She tells Brent about a place she calls The Alley of Treats and why she says it activates all five senses. Pooja also talks about all the different peoples who have come to Mumbai and continue to influence the culture and cuisine including the…

On the island of São Miguel, Passion Fruit is grown greenhouses. The fruit, known as Maracujá dos Açores, has a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) designation meaning only Passion Fruit grown on São Miguel can be called Maracujá dos Açores. Several popular drinks are made using the pulpy center. Licor de Maracuja Maracujá dos Açores…

Brent is in Bruges, Belgium for a beer named after the crazy people of the city, another brewed by refugee monks, and a visit to a surprising bar down an alley. Plus, he admires a work by Michelangelo and has a memorable meal with, of all things, fried seaweed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yUWDD-c1nk&t=305s About the Author Brent Petersen…

We’re in Ravenna, Italy with Silvia from Taste Bologna Tours for a unique pasta that resembles a chicken’s throat, local flatbreads called piadina, and a decadent dessert. Plus, a little truffle talk and the mosaic masterpieces of Ravenna. [Ep 324] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX_-mDWRtj8 About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides…

The island of São Miguel, part of Portugal’s Azores archipelago, is the only place in Europe where pineapples are grown commerically. Azorean pineapple’s origin story Back in the day, São Miguel became very wealthy growing and selling oranges. Citrus was an extremely profitable crop, and traders took advantage of the demand for oranges in England….

Brent is in Lisbon to sample the best African food from former Portuguese colonies. There’s Cachupa from Cape Verde, Calulu from Angola, and Mathapa from Mozambique. Plus, firewater that is surprisingly rich and complex. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUqNAUtiBg4&lc=Ugz0ioQ47pEANPYqkE94AaABAg About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written…

Valentine’s Day is coming up so what better time than now to sample some sweets and desserts from around the world. From casata and cannoli’s in Sicily to beignets and chicory coffee in New Orleans to a pastel de nata contest in Massachusetts, we try ’em all on this episode. [Ep 323] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzth3R9PddA About the…

Portugal has some of the best tarts, cakes, and sweets in the world. Here’s my 5 favorite. Pastel de Nata Without a doubt, the most famous pastry in all of the Portugal is the creamy, crispy Pastel de Nata. The recipe originated in Lisbon’s Jerónimos Monastery. When the religious orders were abolished in Portugal in…