Taste of Place

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why a destination needs to diversify its product portfolio to be competitive
• How the poison is in the dose - nothing in extremes gives great results
• How new technologies threaten culinary tourism experiences & what can be done to prepare for a sustainable future for our industry
• Why the personal touch needs to be preserved when you're trying to create an offer an authentic experience
• Why storytelling is important in service
• How food evokes specific memories

Discussed in this episode:

Bulgaria Wine Tours

In this episode you'll learn:

• How preserving sense of place is essential to fostering a successful visitor experience, and ultimately, to furthering the advancement of food & beverage tourism
• Why you need to ask for help early on in life so that you can go further faster
• How a company is the sum of its parts – everyone plays a vital role
• Why local food/beverage businesses need to be supported & preserved
• What compels food lovers to travel in the first place
• Why you should embrace failure & learn from it

Discussed in this episode:

Devour Tours
Spanish Sabores

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The difference between authentic food and good food, and why you don’t necessarily need to have both or offer both at the same time.
• Ways to minimize “overfoodtourism”
• How the act of sharing food or drink together is an accelerator for friendships
• How speaking directly can be so powerful
• Why it is in your best interest to just launch your product or business, even before it is perfect

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why quality trumps quantity
• Why consumers will always pay more for quality
• If you can’t sell something, double the price and watch it sell out
• How bureaucracy & rules can stymie small business growth
• How an impressive visitor experience drives sales
• Why you always need to ask why

Discussed in this episode:
Ummera Irish Smokehouse
Traveling Spoon

In this episode you'll learn:

• How travel can be transformational for younger people starting their careers
• The power of video to tell a story
• The danger of food becoming commoditized
• How authenticity is about “real people”
• How to find the “magic” of great storytelling
• Why it’s important to be persistent

Rob's links:
GLP Films
Rob on LinkedIn

In this episode you'll learn:

• What "linked prosperity" is and how you can work it into your business
• Why if you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space!
• How keeping a simple focus can help you achieve your goals
• Why plans seldom survive reality and what you can do about it

Raj's links:
Social Tours
Ethical Travel Portal

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why too many visitors can ruin a destination’s authenticity & what to do about it
• Why we need to promote the value of hospitality careers, to industry, youth and the media
• How globalization has adversely affected the food-loving visitor experience
• Why food memories last so long
• What zero-sum thinking is and why it’s a bad deal for everyone
• How food can break down the walls of fear

Discussed in this episode:
Eric's links:
Chemeketa Community College
Eric on LinkedIn

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to be part of the solution not part of the problem
• Why you should take the road less traveled and don't be afraid where it leads. You'll surprise yourself.
• Not to be scared to make mistakes; it's the only way to learn
• To follow your heart and the money will follow after.
• That it's OK to chase the money for a short while, but have a Plan B.
• Why you should not ask for permission, rather for forgiveness
• How the benefits of food tourism ripple out to all areas of the economy.
• Why providers should not focus on creating just a product. Instead, they should create an experience. (This is similar to our Association's long-standing quote, "Serve a memory, not a meal).

Discussed in this episode:
John's links:
John on Academia.edu
John on LinkedIn

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why food culture makes us unique
• How greed is a “four letter word” and is destroying food cultures.
• Why you have to deliver a consistently excellent experience; there is no hiding behind the internet.
• Why people crave authenticity and human connection – that’s why companies exist to match travelers to hosts to share meals in homes.
• That business owners overlook the customer journey, but it’s one of the most critical things for you to understand to meet customer expectations.

Discussed in this episode:
Wojtek's company:
Taste Poland Food & Travel Consulting
Taste Poland Blog

In this episode you'll learn:

• Make it nice or make it twice
• Why slow and steady wins the race
• Why you should skip the easy money
• How waste is money
• Watching the small details can add up to big savings
• What you can do to avoid paying for advertising
• What you can do to avoid having to repeat tasks

Discussed in this episode:
Christie's companies:
The Hollows
Primal Pasta