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Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo: A Place of Cultural Immersion

    Many hotels serve as a respite from the bustling cities they serve—a place to relax and recharge. Located in the heart of Japan’s capital city, the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo certainly provides a place to relax while surrounding you with a bounty of cultural experiences. It begins with … Read more

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100 Years of Rocky Mountain Relaxation & Wellness

Boasting more five-star awards than any other resort property worldwide, I was looking forward to a stay at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and checking out their spa. When the Broadmoor opened in 1918, it offered one of the nation’s first spas and continues to be a forerunner in health … Read more

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The Splendors of Sri Lanka

Climbing to the top of Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is a must-do in Sri Lanka. The massive stone monolith with steep vertiginous metal stairs attached to its vertical walls draws crowds despite its demands. I had told our guide that we were reasonably fit and up for moderate hiking. Then I spied … Read more

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Experience Local Culture with Le Cordon Bleu

The art of travel these days extends far beyond checking off sights on a bucket list. Visitors are looking for experiences that entice, challenge and immerse. As the world becomes ever closer thanks to technology and the ease of transportation, real life and experiencing local culture are merging into a … Read more

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6 US Distilleries You Can Visit

Who doesn’t enjoy a few sips of a fine spirit now and then? If you’re looking for a deeper connection with one of the favorites, check out these six U.S. distilleries that you can visit. From rum to moonshine to bourbon, these distilleries offer tours with benefits … you get … Read more

Coastal Texas The Strand in Downtown Galveston on TravelSquire

Coastal Charm in Galveston

  When you think of Galveston, does the popular Glen Campbell song come to mind? The catchy tune’s opening lyrics, “Galveston, oh, Galveston, I hear your sea winds blowing,” have become iconic and even more so after Campbell’s death last year. Galveston is not just worth singing about, it’s worth visiting. … Read more

72 hours in Serbia on TravelSquire

72 Hours in Serbia

Dusk to Dawn There’s nothing like an invitation to a royal wedding to get you to Serbia – unless you just like to party; then, spending any weekend in Belgrade is worth the trip. From dusk to dawn the nightlife in the capital of Serbia sizzles, making it one of … Read more

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Tech Friendly Traveler

We all know the drill by now … flying is stressful. And if you’re flying internationally even more so. One possible solution: find ways to channel some inner calm with the goal of having a relaxing and restful flight instead. And not with “meds”. After all, you really don’t need … Read more

Eran Tibi

Eran Tibi

Traveling for food is a new passion point with global travelers on the move. In a hats off gesture to the kings and queens of cuisine around the world, who inspire us to eat with adventure no matter where we are, TravelSquire brings you CHEF TALK, sponsored by Le Cordon Bleu.

Meet ERAN TIBI, founder and chef at Bala Baya, London:

Tel Aviv born Chef Eran Tibi is the epitome of modern Israeli cooking. Trained at Le Cordon Bleu, he began his career in the UK at Ottolenghi where he enriched his knowledge of Middle Eastern cuisine. His new canvas Bala Baya raises that cuisine to a culinary experience yet to be tasted in London. Inspired by the raw creativity and fast-paced atmosphere of Tel Aviv’s hip all-day eateries, Eran’s progressive cooking has found its home in Southwark’s Union Street Arches. Bala Baya ‘s Instagram: @bala_baya

Q: What is your favorite dish that you learned to make at Le Cordon Bleu?
A: I learned so much at Le Cordon Bleu that it took me a little time to decide! So many techniques opened doors to new dishes, but my favourite will always be the Bouillabaisse. It reminds me of the flavours from home, heavy with North African influences from those who migrated to the south of France where this dish was created. Bold amounts of warming turmeric and cumin, rich fish stock and the freshest catch of the day served with saffron aioli and croutons was my ultimate comfort food.

Oddly enough, these flavours aren’t typically associated with French cooking, but it’s so deeply rooted in the culture that most people think of Bouillabaisse as a classic French dish.

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Q: Did you have a memorable culinary experience in London where you studied that you can share?
A: Yes, so many! While the food scene wasn’t as exciting as it is now, it was booming with new cuisines and Londoners were becoming more adventurous with their palettes. I was fortunate to start working at Ottolenghi while still studying so my entire day consisted of cooking. It was from working there that my eyes opened to the possibility of endless combinations. Working in a professional kitchen pushed me to put my knowledge into practice and that was truly invaluable.

Q: Where in London can someone find a dish or dining experience similar to what was taught at Le Cordon Bleu?
A: Le Cordon Bleu teaches the most skilled courses, so you can find similar dining experiences in any Michelin starred restaurant in London. My personal favourite is L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Covent Garden, stunning food in every regard. It’s the most elite of them all and is a mind-blowing experience if you can get a table. His Minestrone is to die for, so simple yet brilliant, I still remember it to this day.

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Q: What country or city would you choose right now for a great culinary experience?
A: This might seem biased, but Tel Aviv. In all honesty, it’s trending now with a high concentration of cutting edge cooking taking place in beautiful and unique spaces. The clash of cultures, the breezy desert climate, the atmosphere and environment combine to make it a great foodie destination.

Other places would be Barcelona and Istanbul, timeless places to go for fantastic culinary pilgrimages. The Spanish city has always led the Michelin board and Istanbul is the gateway from Asia to Europe, so it holds endless inspiration.

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Q: What is your favorite international food?
A: That is a hard question. If I had to pick, I would say Korean and Japanese. Here we use spices and fermentation techniques in similar ways, but the results are quite different, and it’s interesting to play around with them in Middle Eastern food. They fuse very well together and often the outcome is delicious.


Bala Baya
Arch 25
Old Union Yard Arches
229 Union Street
London
SE1 0LR

Website: http://balabaya.co.uk
Contact: 020 80017015


Discovering Carmel-by-the-Sea on TravelSquire

Carmel-By-The-Sea: California Dreamy

  I needed a place to really get away. Not necessarily some far corner of the Earth, and not a place where I’d have to punch a wolf in the face for dinner either. Just a place to close the computer, shut off the phone and just … unwind. Like … Read more

Cheese Week 2018 on TravelSquire

Say Cheese!

New York City cheese lovers rejoice.  Starting April 16 you’ll be well on your way to reaching your Nirvana. Welcome the Second Annual Cheese Week 2018, the ultimate cheese adventurer’s delight! Cheese Week 2018, conceived two years ago by Jean-François Hesse and produced by Transversal FR, has released the schedule … Read more

Tanzania Zebras on the Serengeti featured on TravelSquire

Going Wild For Tanzania’s Wildlife

  As our small plane approaches the Kogatende airstrip in Tanzania’s Northern Serengeti, we’re on the edge of our seats. We just flew over the majestic and active Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano—the only volcano in the world that spews black lava. And we know we’re about to see more wonders … Read more

Katrina Markoff - Chef Talk

Katrina Markoff

Traveling for food is a new passion point with global travelers on the move. In a hats off gesture to the kings and queens of cuisine around the world, who inspire us to eat with adventure no matter where we are, TravelSquire brings you CHEF TALK, sponsored by Le Cordon Bleu.

Katrina Markoff Founder of Vosges Haut-Chocolat and Wild Ophelia

Katrina Markoff is a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef and a pioneer of the exotic chocolate movement. As founder of Vosges Haut-Chocolat and Wild Ophelia, Markoff travels the world in search of best-in-class ingredients at the pinnacle of their taste profile, fusing spices, nuts, roots, herbs and liqueurs with premium chocolate. She seeks to harness the power of storytelling through the medium of chocolate with her creations and open palates to new ideas. She is the recipient of numerous accolades including Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business, Fortune Magazine’s 40 under 40, and the Bon Appétit Food Artisan of the Year Award. Food & Wine Magazine has named her “THE innovator in chocolate to lead the US through the next 30 years.” Katrina’s Instagram: @katrina_markoff

Q: What is your favorite dish that you learned to make at Le Cordon Bleu?
A: Cassoulet de Fruits de Mer, I now make it for my husband and sons quite often. They love it. Q: Did you have a memorable culinary experience in the city where you studied that you can share?
A: In Paris at L’Ambroise in Place des Vosges. The experience throughout dinner and especially at the end when they brought to the table a Chocolate Beignet that had been made a la minute is the reason I named my company Vosges Haut-Chocolat. It was the first moment I could only think about the salty crispy outside and the chocolate explosion on my palate that brought me into the now. I still dream of that moment … that chocolate experience. Q: Where in Chicago can someone find a dish or dining experience similar to what was taught at Le Cordon Bleu.
A: Les Nomades in Chicago www.lesnomades.net

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Bapchi’s Caramel Toffee lovers rejoice! ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ These chewy toffee brownies are an indulgent chocolatey treat filled with chopped caramel toffee pieces and topped with even more toffee! ⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣

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Q: What country or city would you choose right now for a great culinary experience?
A: Piemonte!! I am absolutely in love with the Langhe area, a Unesco World Heritage site … think Barolo, Barbaresco, white truffles and hazelnuts.

We source all of our own hazelnuts from Relanghe there. I’m so in love with my Piemonte adventures that we partnered this year with boutique travel specialist, Experience Piemonte, to create a once in a lifetime bespoke trip to the area to discover its history and gastronomy. There will be culinary experiences at Ceretto Winery, Piazza Duomo, Da Francesco and La Ciau Tornavento. One can follow my footsteps and discover some of the world’s most delectable treasures.

 

Piedmont Trip – Photo Courtesy of Vosges Haut-Chocolat
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Simply delicious! Pick up your favorite black imperial stout and pair it with our Roasted Walnut Pecan caramel marshmallow. ⁣ ⁣ Have your own haut-chocolat pairing? Post it and tag us for a chance to be featured on our page and be entered to win surprises this summer.

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Q: What is your favorite international food?
A: I love Indian food and experimenting with all the exotic spices.


Vosges Haut-Chocolat
951 West Armitage
Chicago, IL 60614
Web: www.vosgeschocolate.com
Phone: 773-296-9866


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Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants on TravelSquire

Delicious Vegan & Vegetarian Destinations

  Meatless Monday. Tofu Tuesday. For carnivores looking to decrease their meat intake, themed days like this might do the trick. But for vegans and vegetarians, seitan, faro, jack fruit and other healthy dishes are daily culinary staples which can sometimes be hard to find while traveling. But take heart … Read more

B&H Buildings London

Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings, London

“We’re a little bit out of the way,” our genial host cites as we enter Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings. Spoiler Alert: Not at all! The Clerkenwell restaurant, set in a 19th-century building, is a quick 10-minute taxi from our hotel even though the driver fretted that he didn’t recognize the … Read more