Travel That Matters

Here to explain how travel helped turn a kid from St. Louis into the leading restaurateur behind both Union Square Café and Shake Shack is the one-and-only Danny Meyer.

The son of a travel entrepreneur, Danny takes us back to the vivid childhood travel memories he has, reminiscing about everything from the lake water and fresh baguettes in France to the roadside burger in California that might have been the initial spark for his now-famous restaurant chain. He leads us on his adventures as a young adult, explaining how he was able to travel roundtrip for just $44 a ticket, sharing his eye-opening experience as a tour guide in Rome, recalling the time he got blessed by the pope, and spelling out the invaluable lessons he learned along the way.

Danny also talks about how he continued this tradition of family exploration with his own kids, including his daughter Hallie Meyer, who would later open Caffè Panna.

This episode isn't just about travel or food; it’s about the profound impact it has on who we are and what we create. But there’s still plenty of great travel inspiration and advice, including a few of Danny’s favorite restaurants around the globe.

---

To learn more about Danny Meyer, check out https://www.ushg.com/

To learn more about Cal-a-Vie, check out https://www.cal-a-vie.com/

---

This season of Travel That Matters is presented by Silversea, the world’s most luxurious ocean and expedition voyages for the curious.

Travel That Matters is a CurtCo Media production.

Host: Bruce Wallin

Producer: AJ Moseley

Marketing: Catrin Skaperdas

Music: Joey Salvia

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hawaii, Burgundy, Australia, and California are just some of the places internationally known chef, TV host, entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author and chef-owner Curtis Stone talks about on this episode of "Travel That Matters" with award-winning travel writer and editor Bruce Wallin.

Curtis shares insider tips on all the amazing, unknown places in Australia he’s been to and what's special about the Australian cuisine and the traditions that accompany it. Curtis goes into detail about the foods and ingredients you need to eat when you’re in Australia and where to find them, because you won’t find them anywhere else.

Everyone knows Italy has delicious food, but Curtis shares tips on where to find new culinary experiences beyond the hot spots like Rome, Florence, and Sicily. In fact, he provides an actionable step you can take to find authentic food in all of the countries you’re visiting and shares advice on how to plan your next vacation.

Curtis also tells listeners about his latest projects and the new spots where you can find his delicious cooking.

In the wrap, Bruce sits down with acclaimed Michelin starred Chef George Mendes. Chef Mendes joins Raffles Boston, opening later this summer, as chef to open the signature restaurant Amar and lead the culinary program, which also includes a sleek day to night bar and terrace, and a street side cafe. He was previously the executive chef at the New York Michelin-starred restaurant Aldea.

To learn more about Raffles Boston and the culinary program, visit https://www.raffles.com/boston

To learn more about Curtis Stone or any of his projects, visit https://www.curtisstone.com/

To find out more about George Mendes. visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-mendes-31b3281bb/

A special thanks to Stonestreet Estate Vineyards for sponsoring the show today. Don't forget, listeners of "Travel That Matters" can receive exclusive access to Stonestreet wines and experiences including some unique sets chosen by Bruce, along with a complimentary Single Vineyard tasting for two at the estate. Head over to Stonestreetwines.com/Travel to access these incredible wines—and don’t forget to use code TRAVEL to book your complimentary tasting.

Thank you also to Accor and Girafe restaurant by Paris Society for sponsoring this episode of Travel That Matters. To learn more about Girafe, visit https://girafe-restaurant.com/

Links and mentions:

• Maude: https://www.mauderestaurant.com/
• Gwen: https://www.gwenla.com/
• Marques de Riscal: https://www.marquesderiscal.com/en/marques-de-riscal-reserva
• Belmond Hotel, Maroma: https://www.belmond.com/hotels/north-america/mexico/riviera-maya/belmond-maroma-resort-and-spa/
• Indian Star: https://www.indianstar.com.au/
• Topanga Social: https://www.eatplaytopangasocial.com/
• Amar, Raffles Boston (Opening Summer 2023): https://www.raffles.com/boston/dining/amar/
• Long-Bar, Raffles Boston: https://www.raffles.com/boston/dining/long-bar-and-terrace/
• Girafe: https://paris-society.com/en/table/girafe/

Travel That Matters is a CurtCo Media Production:

• Host: Bruce Wallin
• Producer: AJ Moseley
• Marketing Director: Catrin Skaperdas
• Music: Joey Salvia

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gregory Gourdet is an American chef, writer, restaurateur, and former finalist on the twelfth and seventeenth seasons of Top Chef. His first restaurant Kann was named America’s best new restaurant at the 2023 James Beard awards.

Gregory shares his experience on Top Chef and how it inspired him to travel around the world. We also get a sneak peek of his work guiding global travel experiences with Modern Adventure. We learn about what part of the world Gregory is most passionate about right now. We hear what trendy country in South America is unlike any other place on earth in terms of unique ingredients and flavor. Gregory shares one of his favorite travel experiences up in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. He also shares his thoughts on why his restaurant Kann has been so well received. We learn about Haiti and why Gregory thinks it’s poised to become a hot travel destination again. We find out what his “last meal” would be if he had to pick only one! Gregory shares his favorite nonfood-related trip, and why it’s such an ultra experience. Finally, we hear what and where Gregory’s best meals of the year have been.

In the wrap, Bruce welcomes chef Wayne Brown to the show. Wayne heads up operations of Carte Blanched – Ennismore’s in-house F&B development and concepting studio. We learn what goes into the concept development with Carte Blanched projects. Wayne also shares how Carte Blanched tailors each concept to its unique region and culture. We get a sneak peek into an exciting upcoming mixology project opening in Barcelona. We hear more about the new Mondrian Singapore Duxton food concepts coming to life, and how “the greatest butcher in the world” Dario Cecchini is building their new restaurant Bottega Di Carna. Finally, Wayne shares some interesting stories about his travels to Asia, and how those trips led him to who he is today.

To learn more about Gregory Gourdet or any of his projects, visit https://gregorygourdet.com/

To find out more about Wayne Brown and Carte Blanched, visit https://carte-blanched.com/

A special thanks to Stonestreet Estate Vineyards for sponsoring the show today. Don't forget, listeners of the Master Chef Series can receive exclusive access to Stonestreet wines and experiences including some unique sets chosen by Bruce, along with a complimentary Single Vineyard tasting for two at the estate. Head over to Stonestreetwines.com/Travel to access these incredible wines—and don’t forget to use code TRAVEL to book your complimentary tasting.

Thank you also to Accor and the Mondrian Singapore Duxton for sponsoring this episode of the Travel That Matters’ Master Chef series. To learn more about the Mondrian Singapore Duxton and their Bottega Di Carna restaurant visit https://book.ennismore.com/hotels/mondrian/singapore-duxton/dining

Links and mentions:

• Modern Adventure: https://modernadventure.com/
• La Picanteria (Peru): https://picanteriasdelperu.com/
• Kann (Portland): https://kannrestaurant.com/
• Sousol (Portland): https://sousolbar.com/
• Tatiana (NYC): https://www.tatiananyc.com/
• Skybar Condesa (Mexico City) https://book.ennismore.com/nightlife/skybar/condesa
• Cleo Mediterraneo: https://book.ennismore.com/restaurants/cleo
• Mondrian Singapore Duxton: https://book.ennismore.com/hotels/mondrian/singapore-duxton
• Hyde Hotel, Niko (Ibiza): https://book.ennismore.com/hotels/hyde/ibiza/dining
• Bottega Di Carna (Singapore): https://book.ennismore.com/hotels/mondrian/singapore-duxton/dining

Travel That Matters is a CurtCo Media Production.

Host: Bruce Wallin

Producer: AJ Moseley

Marketing: Catrin Skaperdas

Music: Joey Salvia

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gail Simmons has served as a permanent judge on Bravo’s Emmy-winning series Top Chef since the show’s inception in 2006. She is also a food journalist, cookbook author, mother of two, and avid global traveler.

In this episode, we hear some of Gail Simmon’s insights on judging Top Chef contestants and dishes, but she mainly talks about how travel has shaped her career and life. We learn about her time working on a kibbutz in Israel, and her firsthand knowledge of why the country has such a unique culinary scene and culture. She also talks about her love of Australia, why the country’s food scene is so exciting, and how she found the perfect neighborhood spot in Melbourne.

Gail also shares why she goes back to South Africa again and again, and how safaris have been such an influential experience throughout her life. As for her favorite food destination, Gail goes into her love of Japan and some of her great culinary adventures in the country. She also talks about how important traveling with her family has been—and will continue to be—for her.

In the wrap, Bruce sits down with acclaimed Israeli chef Uri Jeremias at his Efendi Hotel in the Old City of Akko. The man behind the famed restaurant Uri Buri, Uri shares his insights about what makes Israel such a special destination for food, history, and more.

To learn more about Gail Simmons or any of her projects, visit http://gailsimmons.com/.

To find out more about Uri Jeremias and his Efendi Hotel and Uri Buri restaurant in the Old City of Akko, visit https://efendi-hotel.co.il/?lang=en.

A special thanks to Stonestreet Estate Vineyards for sponsoring the show today. Don't forget, listeners of the Master Chef series receive exclusive access to Stonestreet wines, including some unique sets chosen by Bruce, along with a complimentary Single Vineyard tasting for two at the estate. Head over to www.Stonestreetwines.com/Travel to access these incredible deals—and don’t forget to use code TRAVEL to book your complimentary tasting.

Thank you also to Accor and Raffles Doha for sponsoring this episode of the Travel That Matters’ Master Chef series. To learn more about the Raffles Doha or its new ALBA restaurant from chef Enrico Crippa, visit https://www.raffles.com/doha/dining/alba-by-enrico-crippa/.

Kann (Portland) https://kannrestaurant.com/

ARU (Melbourne) Thai https://aru.net.au/

Cumulus (Melbourne) https://www.cumulusinc.com.au/

Kruger National Park https://www.krugerpark.co.za/

Six Senses Shaharut https://www.sixsenses.com/en/resorts/shaharut

Travel That Matters is a CurtCo Media Production.

Host: Bruce Wallin

Producer: AJ Moseley

Marketing: Catrin Skaperdas

Music: Joey Salvia

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York Times travel columnist Elaine Glusac is an expert at something that has become increasingly essential for travelers: finding the best alternatives to the world’s most popular destinations. She joins Bruce to dive into the top spots for experiencing everything we love about over-touristed spots—minus the crowds.

Elaine starts by giving us a behind-the-scenes look into the New York Times’ “52 Places” article, an annual feature that explores the newspaper’s picks for the year’s most compelling destinations. One spot Elaine has suggested several times for the list—the Great Lakes region—has never made the cut. The Chicago native tells us why she thinks the world’s largest freshwater system is so deserving, and why it’s
such an interesting and important destination for travelers to consider right now.

A couple of Elaine’s other recent stories for the Times cover the concept of alternative destinations, including “Driving Iceland’s Overlooked North,” in which she recounts her family’s adventure in the country’s rarely visited Diamond Circle—a region that offers at least as much natural wonder and drama as the bustling Golden Circle. Her “Go Here, Not There” article—the inspiration for this episode of Travel That Matters—offers up a number of other great options for those looking for all the thrills without all the people. Starting with Europe, Elaine suggests Montenegro instead of Venice or Dubrovnik. The small country south of Croatia has incredible shorelines, well-preserved ancient cities, and the deepest rafting canyon in Europe, among other attractions. She also thinks travelers should consider Brittany the next time they visit France, for a more locals’ perspective on the country.

Moving beyond Europe, Elaine shares her favorite spots for winter sports in Canada, including a network of ice-skating trails in the flooded forests of Quebec. She also discusses Panama (instead of Costa Rica) and its Chagres National Park; Dunedin, New Zealand, where the wildlife resembles that of the Galapagos; and much more. Throughout it all, her inspiring insights and tales are sure to make you think differently about travel—and start seeking out more alternative destinations.

Links & Notes:

• Diamond Circle
• Go Here, Not There
• Where Trails Are for Skating, Not Hiking
• Elaine Glusac on Instagram
• Amsterdam-Noord (The hip neighborhood AJ was referring to)
• Travel That Matters recommended boutique hotel in Barcelona: https://www.casabonay.com/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic

-----------------------------------

Learn more about the podcast: https://www.curtco.com/travelthatmatters

Hosted by: Bruce Wallin

Produced by: AJ Moseley

Music by: Joey Salvia

A CurtCo Media Production

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.