Cooking Class Travel for the Gastrotourist

I have little doubt I will one day return to Cuba, but the reason I’ve never truly enjoyed a trip to the largest Caribbean island, an enchanting place steeped in history, culture, soul and vintage cars, is the fact that nearly, without exception, the food is truly awful. And this simple fact is not lost on travelers any longer given the present-day food culture we live in, where we’re as likely to recognize a celebrity chef in line next to us.

The World Food Travel Association’s recent research indicates roughly 30 percent of American travelers go overseas for a food or drink festival or the ability to take a cooking class. For those that say they travel for food, 81 percent are likely to take a course and there is no shortage of brilliant one- or multiple-day courses around the world for them to enjoy.

While you might start thinking France and Italy are too expensive, cooking classes are everywhere and there are some truly fantastic experiences for travelers nearly anywhere you choose to go.

The WFTA went so far as to say, “Cuisine is the only attraction that is available year-round, in any weather, at any time of day, even on holidays.”

While Vietnam’s street food warrants the trip alone, where are you going to get that when you return from vacation in Indianapolis? Well, your own kitchen if you attend a class like at the Ho Chi Minh Cooking School.

Looking to impress that future Latin/Latina lover who happens to hail from Oaxaca? Good thing you took that multiday course on traditional moles from the Seasons of My Heart Cooking School.