What inspired you to start your business, SOOM foods?

We joke – Shelby (our oldest sister) had a business degree, Jackie was dating (and is married to) a sesame tahini expert, and I needed a job. But really, being introduced to good tahini in Israel and learning about the health benefits and versatility of the product inspired us to make it a more common ingredient in the American market.

How did you partner with Ashok Bajaj and Sababa for your dinner?

We believe an essential part of the business is creating quality relationships. We connected with Brett Carnahan when he was general manager at another restaurant, and when he started at Sababa he had the idea to make a formal dinner together!

You’re an avid traveler and have lived in Israel. Does travel influence your business and products? How?

Travel absolutely influences our business and products. Two ways:

1. Travel = learning. We love learning (especially about food!), and we love sharing what we learn with our network.

2. Food is the forefront of travel. I start with where I want to eat breakfast lunch dinner, have coffee, tea and snacks and build my itinerary from there!

Soom Foods supplies to very well-regarded restaurants. How do you and your team build those relationships?

The old fashioned way! We hit the streets, pop into as many restaurants as possible with samples of our products, and take the time to talk to anyone and everyone there – hosts, waiters, bartenders, and of course the chefs! Then, we follow through with our company/team attributes: reliability, consistency, effective communication, and a love of community.

You’re currently based in Philly. What three restaurants can you recommend?

Three?! Not possible! This is so hard! I’m cheating and making one a restaurant group: CookNSolo. Their restaurants include Zahav, Dizengoff, Goldie, The Rooster, Federal Donuts, Abe Fisher. Other favorites are Spice Finch, Cheu Noodle Bar, Hungry Pigeon, Dante & Luigi’s, Taco Riendo, Hikari Sushi, and LALO.

Thanks, Amy for all your tips! I think we have a full foodie itinerary for our next trip to Philadelphia!

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To her, food and cooking are pretty essential ingredients in Asian culture – an idea that is also evident in the latest cultural, Hollywood hit Crazy Rich Asians. Drawing inspiration from the film, Chef Kathy Fang has cooked up her own decadent dishes, paying homage to the indulgent threads of the movie. As our latest Travel Influences spotlight, Fang takes us through her food and travel inspirations and journeys…

1. How does travel influence the menu at your restaurant?

My travels influence my menu a lot. I always come back with fresh ideas and inspiration from my travels on how to tweak traditional Chinese dishes and make it my own. New spices, new ingredients, new flavors, new ways of serving dishes. You can always expect a few new dishes to pop up off the menu when I come back from a trip.

2. How did you get inspired to make your “crazy rich” dishes?

[Crazy Rich Asians] got me hungry, especially watching the street food scenes. It made me think of comfort food, specifically noodles, which is one of my favorite things to eat whether done as an Asian dish or as an Italian dish. Nothing beats the perfect bowl of noodles and in true Crazy Rich Asian style, I spiffed up the dishes with some rich decadent ingredients like lobster, Uni, crab.

3. It’s obvious that cooking runs in the family. Between growing up in the kitchen of your family’s restaurant, House of Nanking, and then opening your own establishment with your father, Fang Restaurant, do you feel that food and cooking intertwine your family and culture?

Absolutely! Food is a such a big thing in Asian culture, especially in Chinese families. Every family gathering centers around eating. We don’t do anything else when we get together but cook and eat. My fondest memories growing up have all been centered around cooking with my parents and all my relatives. Wonton wrapping, egg roll wrapping, soups, clay pot rice – everyone has a task and we work as a team. We pay respect to each other by coming to lunches and dinners to share a meal and see each other. I wouldn’t be who I am without all those experiences. Family first always!

4. What was your inspiration behind branching out from the family business and opening up Fang Restaurant?

My inspiration came from all my travels and exposure to food in Asia. I always find new exciting ways of doing things there. Chinese food is constantly evolving there and that’s what I want Fang to be like. Chinese food that evolves over time, where we don’t serve the same dishes that everyone else serves and has been serving for the last 30 years. The food should reflect the chef’s personality and train of thought. As I grow and change over time, so does my food. The food at Fang should evolve over time as I do.

5. As a young adult, you originally pursued a corporate career after studying operations management and entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California. What led to you leaving this behind to enroll in culinary school a few years later?

I felt stifled and bored in the corporate world. I get excited by the thought of creating new things. And in the corporate world, I didn’t get to tap into this passion of mine, this spark and desire to create. I was just another cog in a machine asked to fulfill a responsibility. It was mind-numbing. When I realized that the monthly goodie bag of mislabeled beauty products was what I looked forward to the most when working at Neutrogena, I finally called it quits. I needed something that excites me.

I worked at my dad’s restaurant when I was young and loved it. I love food and I love to create, so it was a no-brainer. Culinary school was the most fun I’ve ever had in any school. It was like playtime every week for 8 hours straight.

6. What’s your top travel tip?

Top travel tip: try to find some kind of offer or activity that involves you experiencing the culture and food of the city through a local. I don’t mean through a tour guide. I mean through an actual local. I did this when I traveled to Vietnam and Italy and it allowed me to make this unforgettable connection to people outside of my race and my culture. It makes you realize how similar we all are at the end of the day and how beautiful our world is when it’s filled with some many different kinds of people, culture and food.

You can discover more about Chef Kathy’s journey by checking out her website, which offers insight and recipes inspired by her travels and culinary experience!

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1. Your restaurant portfolio has everything from Mexican to your native Spain in terms of cuisine.  How does travel influence the menus at your restaurants?

I am constantly inspired when I travel. Not a moment goes by when I am on a trip where I am not taking in something new: a new flavor, a way of preparing a dish, the use of a familiar ingredient in a new way. It is incredible! When I travel with my team to places like Peru, Spain, China, Japan, Mexico (and the list goes on!) to research new concepts, we taste everything and talk to as many people as we can about native dishes and flavors. I always want to immerse myself in the flavors of the place I am in.

2. You’ve travelled all over the world.  Which cuisine has impacted you the most?

No matter how many new places inspire me, Spain will always be at the top of my list and the closest to my heart. It is amazing how many chefs in Spain continue to push the boundaries using classic Spanish ingredients and flavors. I love meeting purveyors young and old who are honoring Spain by making ciders, cheeses, and wines to share with the rest of the world. I’ve also been incredibly inspired by China, Peru, and Turkey.

3.  You started World Central Kitchen after traveling to Haiti after the earthquake. What inspired you to start this project?

I have always felt that food can and should be an agent of change, and through food we can change the lives of so many people around the world for the better. After the earthquake hit Haiti, I knew that I had to help. People needed food, they needed clean cooking methods, and they needed jobs to rebuild their economy. World Central Kitchen started out to address so many of these basic necessities and because of that, we’re now able to provide things like clean cookstoves and culinary job training to people in Haiti and beyond.

4.  Are there specific places you’ve traveled to that have inspired a specific restaurant of yours?

When we were doing research and development trips for China Chilcano, I was so moved by the flavors of Peru and all of the history that was behind each dish. China Chilcano celebrates not only the indigenous Criollo style, but also the influences of Chinese Chifa and Japanese Nikkei that have impacted Peru’s palate. On the menu, you will see everything from sashimi to ceviche to dim sum, from fried rice to lomo saltado. The influences of these cultures are represented across the menu. That could not have happened without traveling there.

 5.  As a frequent traveler, what is the one travel item you cannot live without?

 Bose noise cancelling headphones – they let me unplug! When I’m flying I feel like I’m a bird flying over the clouds.

From personally witnessing Chef José Andrés advocating for proper food labeling at Capitol Hill to seeing him give back to our world community through World Central Kitchen, he’s proven to be inspiration not only in the kitchen but beyond. I am looking forward to seeing what he has in store for the future. Who’s your favorite traveling chef?

Disclaimer: This interview with Chef José Andrés was sponsored by Samsonite. As always opinions are my own. 

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Tamara, you moved to Alaska 29 years ago. What inspired you to move?

My husband was a goldsmith and we always wanted to own our very own business. Sitka was a place where we thought that opportunity could take place. So, when our son was 3 months old, we sold our Colorado Springs home that we’d lived in for 8 years, packed up everything we owned and headed north!

How did you get into the jewelry business?

My uncle is a goldsmith and it just so happened that he needed someone to work in his store. My husband was 16 at the time, baling hay in the hot Iowa summers. So, when my uncle offered him a job apprenticing as his goldsmith, my husband gladly accepted. (A raise and air conditioning… how could it get any better than that?!) My husband found that he not only liked this work, but was actually very good at it. So, he kept learning and eventually the desire to strike out on his own won – and that’s when we made the leap to Alaska!

You encounter many visitors at Alaska Jewelry. How do most travelers find your location?

Aside from my locals, many of my clients are visitors to Alaska, primarily via the cruise ship industry. Sitka is a small town with about 6 “downtown” blocks. My store is in a large building directly across the street from the location where cruise visitors begin their day in Sitka. The large selection of hand-blown glass that we have displayed in our street windows helps draw visitors into the shop. We also have a lot of clients that have never visited Alaska Jewelry, but have come to know us through our website. Not to toot our own horn, but we really do sell a number of things that many people have never seen before. This is part of what makes us… us! Our staff, and the items we sell, are fun and unique.

What makes Sitka such a great tourist destination in the summer? 

There really is no other place like Sitka. It truly is a “local” town with very little presence of seasonal stores. But Sitka isn’t just any old town – it’s stunningly beautiful. The combination of the ocean views, things to do, and the friendly local flavor is hard to beat.

What types of designs inspire you? How do you choose the designers/designs that are best suited for your customers? 

I want my client to have an experience at Alaska Jewelry’s Goldsmith Gallery that they won’t have anywhere else. I have never been very good at fitting the mold (in life or in fashion!). My store represents designers that create items that have a personal flair to them – options that anyone can wear, but also designs that are unique and make a statement about the wearer. I personally love quality pieces that are bold and beautiful, graceful, and even a little edgy.  I adore jewelry that makes me happy and excited about life. If I love it and am satisfied that the quality is impeccable, then I am confident that my client will love it, too!

When it comes to designers, I choose artists who care about the final product – designers who back up their product to me and the customer and are proud of the work they do. I select items that have a broad base of style so I can find an item that will fit anyone’s taste (and pocketbook!).  I want my customer to feel amazing when wearing jewelry purchased from my store. After all, jewelry is very personal and should be something that tells a story about the wearer. And I definitely think my designers achieve that in their final work.

What are some of your popular Alaskan-inspired pieces from Alaska Jewelry? Which jewelry items do you recommend as must-have souvenirs to take back from a trip to Alaska? 

We have beautiful jewelry that is inspired by the Glaciers of Alaska. It is our trademark item, “Glacier Ice”. We work with designers to achieve one-of-a-kind items set with Natural Blue Zircon, a stone that is unmatched in the blue intensity of color and brilliance. Natural Gold in Quartz is another design carried at Alaska Jewelry’s Goldsmith Gallery. Alaska is one of only three places in the world where this stone is found. Our selection is amazing, durable, and the designs are completely original.

I’ve never been to Alaska. As a local, what do you recommend I see, do, and eat?

I love to run through Totem Park. It is a beautiful setting along the ocean that’s filled with Native totem poles and draped with huge trees. It brings me both peace and energy.

Heading up to the top of Castle Hill and taking in the panorama of Sitka is also a must-see. Anyone can make it to the top and see where the transfer of the territory of Alaska occurred when the Russians sold Alaska to the United States. (Always good to get a little history lesson on your travels!)

Food, well, that is a no brainer…seafood of any kind! We have several restaurants that do a remarkable job preparing fish that is fresh from the ocean just outside our doors. Honestly, you will never forget your meals here.

And lastly, (of course) I also think you should visit Alaska Jewelry to see all the beautiful creations, to say, “Hello”, and to let me help you select a design that will forever commemorate your visit to Sitka, Alaska.

Big thanks to Tamara for sharing her Travel Influences with The Dining Traveler. I’ve never been to Alaska, but this interview moved it up on my list!  Dining Traveler Tip: Alaska Jewelry has a partnership with Alaska Airlines; you can collect miles on the airlines for every purchase made on the website. Not only do you get beautiful jewelry but it will take you closer to Alaska… literally!

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Alaska Jewelry.  As always, opinions are my own.

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Tell us about your first trip as an adult? What were your impressions?

I will never forget walking out of my boss’s office after finding out I was heading to a business conference in Orlando, Florida.  Not only was this my first business trip but my first time to fly as well.  And I was going to be spending a full day at Disney World too!  Being a budding professional, I kept my enthusiasm to a minimum, but I was silently singing Disney songs in my head all the way to my car.  Two weeks later, I was settled into my airplane seat.  It was a little unnerving.  I couldn’t begin to imagine how this huge plane going to get off the ground. I was no longer white knuckled once we reached flying altitude…..By then I was hooked and haven’t stopped traveling since.

Which place has given you a completely different perspective on travel? 

In 1995, I had the privilege to go to Europe for 10 days.  My first stop was Paris and after an eight hour flight, I had no idea what to expect. As soon as we landed, we taxied up to a free standing unloading dock, deplaned and were escorted to a bus by armed guards. I was very uneasy and kept thinking something bad had happened.  Once inside, we were hurried through customs and I quickly realized this was normal protocol in Europe. Later that day, I went to the Gare Du Nord train station where I encountered more armed guards making their presence known and securing trains after they had entered the train station.  I felt a sense of security and came to the conclusion that Europe was ready and on guard at all times for any threat that might occur.

You invented the product “Yuk-B-gone”.  What inspired you to create this product?
Necessity has been my inspiration for both of my inventions. YukBGone was invented because of my encounters with dirty toilet seats during my travel. I was tired of trying to do my yoga pose while in the bathroom. YukBGone, a non-toxic toilet seat spray, was born. You just spray and it instantly sanitizes. Wipe off the excess and it gives you peace of mind and a clean seat every time.  ZippedMe was my first invention.  There were many times on the road I had to call the hotel desk or go out in the hall and act like a damsel in distress to have someone help zip me up.  So I invented ZippedMe.  It allows you to zip up your dress in the back when you are alone.  It’s a beautiful accessory that can also be worn as jewelry after you use it.  Just clip it to the zipper and pull gently.

Which destination has been the most interesting to explore? Why?

I loved Amsterdam because of the people and its history.  It was an amazing experience to explore the museums, walk through Anne Frank’s house, float on the canals and view this beautiful city once ravaged by war.  I loved seeing the variety in Amsterdam and really enjoyed observing people from all walks of life.  The sense of community harmony with such diversity among the people of Amsterdam was inspiring.

Share an essential business travel tip. 

When I travel for any reason, I pack each pair of my shoes in a plastic shower cap so my dirty shoes don’t come in contact with my clean clothes. Also, I prevent my clothes from wrinkling by covering clothes that need to be hung up with dry cleaning bags.

Big thanks for Jody Harris for sharing her travel influences story.  Are you an entrepreneur? How has travel influenced your business?

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Travel Influences: Tracy Foster of ONA Bags

Where was your first trip abroad as an adult? What were your impressions?

My first trip abroad as an adult was to Tulum, Mexico. During my junior year in college, my husband (who was my boyfriend at the time) and I took a short trip during a school break.  I distinctly remember enjoying the balmy weather and gorgeous coastline, but I was mostly taken by the Mayan ruins. Having mostly traveled within the US, it was pretty amazing to have a glimpse into an ancient civilization. That trip really inspired both of us to expand our horizons and do more traveling abroad.

Which place abroad has given you a completely different perspective on travel? 

In 2006, I spent two weeks traveling in Italy. I was fortunate to spend part of the trip staying with a friend that I’d met during a fellowship the year prior in New York City. While staying with her and her family in Como, we ventured to Milan together, took a boat ride on the lake, went to her favorite gelato and pizza spots, and had a beautiful evening enjoying aperitivo with her and her girlfriends. She also connected us with a friend who was the owner of the perfect little B&B for our time in Venice.

Experiencing Italy with my friend opened my eyes to how nice it is to have real, authentic experiences that are unique to the destination – and that help you better understand the local culture – as opposed to only doing the “touristy” things.  So now, even when I don’t have a friend to meet up with in a particular destination, I always look for opportunities to experience the true essence and culture of a place rather than only visiting the main attractions.

How does travel inspire the design of ONA Bags? Has a particular destination been instrumental to the creative process?

It was actually during a trip to South Africa in 2008 that I was inspired to create ONA.  I was carrying a traditional ballistic nylon camera bag and I wished that there was something more stylish yet discreet on the market. When I couldn’t find anything that I liked, I got to work on developing our first bag. We launched with that bag in June 2010. Today, all of our products are inspired by travel, and each bag is named after a place that I’ve visited that has a special significance to me. I love travel and photography and design, so launching and running ONA has been such a rewarding experience for me. One thing that brings me so much joy these days is to look at the #whereonagoes hashtag on Instagram and see all of the beautiful places that people are now carrying ONA products around the world.

You travel often for your job. Which place in the last year have you enjoyed the most?

Earlier this year, I spent a few weeks traveling in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The distributor for ONA in Japan was participating in a trade show, so I was excited to meet with them there. It was great to see how they are working to grow the brand in that region. I also had an opportunity to meet the owner of one of the largest stores in Australia that carries ONA bags and to connect with a blogger we’ve worked with in New Zealand. I’d always dreamed of being able to travel to awesome places for work (mixed with some fun, of course!).  I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to live this dream.

Share an essential business travel tip. 

Pack light! I exclusively travel with carry-on bags to avoid the hassle of waiting for bags at baggage claim and to reduce the risk of my baggage getting lost. I find that this makes my travel experience so much simpler, especially when I’m traveling for business and time is of the essence.

Big thanks to Tracy Foster of ONA Bags for her interview!  Check out their bags here. The question is…which bag should I buy next?

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Where did you go on your first trip as an adult? What were your impressions?

My first trip abroad as an adult was actually to Ecuador. It was through a summer study abroad program offered by Northwestern College, where I was a student at the time. I was playing baseball in the spring and was forced to miss the majority of the pre-trip prep meetings that semester. My team qualified for the postseason tournament and we had to travel to the wide open spaces of North Dakota to a college called Jamestown University. Unfortunately, a number of our players suffered injuries, including myself. Although we were still able to make it within one game of the championship, we lost. Fortunately, however, our study abroad group wasn’t supposed to leave for the Omaha airport until the following morning at 6:00 AM and I drove back to Iowa through the night with my dad. We arrived around 3:30 in the morning and I literally had two hours to pack for a six-week trip.

When our plane landed at the airport in Quito, all of the other students’ host parents were waiting for them there. Apparently, the professor leading the trip thought that I wasn’t going to be able to travel to Ecuador due to baseball. That night I had to stay with another student’s host family until they could find someone else that could take me in for the duration of our stay.

When the sun peeked over the mountains surrounding Quito that morning, I was in awe. The contrast between the flat Dakota fields from the night before and the Andes Mountains the following morning was incredible. I think it was then that I learned that travel may require flexibility and it may be inconvenient at times, but the rewards are almost always worth it!

Which place abroad has given you a completely different perspective on travel?

Again, I’d have to say Ecuador had the biggest impact on my perspective on travel. Not only because it was my first trip abroad as an adult, but more so due to the duration of the trip. Six weeks allowed me to travel within the country, visit different regions, converse with locals, and experience their culture to a greater degree. Our group spent part of a week with a Huaorani tribe in the Amazon jungle, sleeping in wood huts and waking up with giant spiders on the ceiling above us in the morning. We danced with tribe members and listened to a tribe elder tell the story (in Huaorani, translated to Spanish, and then translated again to English) of the plane crash from “The End of the Spear,” which occurred not far from where we stayed. The experience was surreal at first, but became more real the longer we stayed. The experience brought a human element: rather than just being characters in a Fodor’s Travel guide, or statistics from some government website, they became my friends.

I ended up going back to Ecuador the next summer and volunteering at a non-profit food pantry in Quito. It was then, while I was helping to feed and clothe those in need that I started to think about doing something bigger. I wanted to figure out a way I could empower those that we were helping so they could support themselves and their families.

You studied abroad in Ecuador. What inspired you to study abroad? What was your main takeaway? 

While my first six-week study abroad trip was initially a way for me to escape small town Iowa for a summer, the following summer’s volunteer stint was a way for me to give back all that I had received from the beautiful country. I decided to take a semester of International Business and Spanish classes at the University of San Francisco outside of Quito (USFQ) during the fall after graduating from Northwestern College in Iowa. I had been inspired during my senior year to search for sustainable methods of helping those in need and became convinced that micro-finance was a worthy tool in poverty alleviation. It empowers the poor to use the skills they have to invest in the dream of owning their own business. Now that I had the tool, I was looking for a way to power it.

One of the best things about traveling is the opportunity to try new food. I had always loved the fresh and exotic fruit I would encounter while living in Ecuador, but it was a tiny seed that would find its way to my heart. Quinoa was new to me before I began seeing it in different soups and dishes while in Ecuador. After hearing about its nutritional benefits and culinary versatility during a class presentation at USFQ, I knew that it would lead me to that power I was searching for.

Later that year, I discovered an indigenous Ecuadorian women’s foundation cultivating the grain high in the mountains. I was inspired to use it in an ancient grain energy bar and donate a portion of the proceeds to the micro-finance organization, HOPE International, to help empower those in need. That is how FLYJOY started.

My main takeaway would be to follow your curiosity. Our world is a fascinating place and it deserves to be explored and appreciated.

Which destination has been the most interesting to explore? Why?

It seems we have a theme here, but really, Ecuador is amazing. It’s such a small country, roughly the size of Colorado, but it’s so diverse. There are the volcanos of the Andes Mountains, the thick Amazon Rainforest and the remote Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands are a special place. I’ve been to Hawaii and the Virgin Islands, both beautiful places, but neither compared to my experience on the Galapagos. It’s a strange and wonderful place.

Share an essential business travel tip.

Travel light and leave downtime to explore.

Big thanks to Curtis for sharing his Travel Influences story.  I am always inspired by how so many entrepreneurs are inspired by travel to create their business.  To learn more about Curtis Bomgaars and FLYJOY, check out their website, www.flyjoy.com.

All photos courtesy of Curtis Bomgaars.

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Art, Travel, and Food: Beddru Art

What was your first trip abroad as an adult? What were your impressions?

Greece was the place I chose for my first trip as an adult. I visited the island of Corfú. My choice was probably influenced by the fact that the city I am originally from in Sicily, Agrigento, is a stunning and well preserved Greek site with amazing temples, statues and open air theatres. Growing up within such a premium historical location has also influenced my approach in art when it comes to expressing human bodies’ volumes and beauty. I planned to travel alone but eventually three good friends of mine joined as well. My recollections are still fresh like I did the trip yesterday.

I remember a pretty green island with a transparent sea. I also remember the feeling of freedom while discovering the island on an old vespa with my chaps. The warm wind blowing on my face while driving made me feel so good and free. I was 19. It was not my first time away from home. I had already done many city trips with my school fellows. But this was the first time away just with my friends and no parents’ control whatsoever. I loved it up to the point I haven’t stopped travelling the world since.

Which place abroad have you been to that has given you a completely different perspective on travel?

I am constantly on the move. I have been visiting many countries but the one that probably has marked me the most so far is Tanzania. I flew there with my partner in September 2014. Preparation was different from other trips before. Vaccinations and special care before, during and after the trip were needed this time, which gave me the sense of how different this experience might be. Too often we are used to destinations in developed countries enjoying a certain level of comfort and an appealing offer of amenities. Well, this time I landed in a place where workers unloaded my luggage manually (no belts), where the airport had no shops with the exception of a snack corner and even no roof, where I had to manually serve myself from a bucket full of water in the restroom. I am a traveler who likes touching at different experiences and a bit of adventure is always very welcome. I loved the contact with Nature in the national parks, especially the Serengeti, but I would not go for a safari again. I felt my place was not there disturbing the natural habitat of wild animals. In order to reach the different preserved areas, we had to drive for hours through local villages tainted by discouraging poverty. This gave me the chance to witness the conditions locals live in, but also to think of how spoiled I am and how unnecessary many things in my “civilized” European life are. I left the country with a promise: avoiding both unnecessary complaints and food-waste. African children are not only smiling and welcoming but also brave, as they use to walk long distances on bare feet, and, under a boiling Sun, to go to the closest school. Looking at them, I thought of me sometimes complaining for the stuck lift in my building just because this forced me to take the stairs to reach the 4^th floor and I suddenly felt ashamed! Africa opened my eyes making me change my perspective on how I look at things.

Which destination has been your most interesting to explore on business and which on leisure? Why?

For my Art, London has been a great spot. I am in love with the city and with English people in general. They are sensitive to art and so charmingly different from the rest of Europeans. They have always fascinated me with their peculiar sense of humor. I am going for business again to London in June as I will take part in the Affordable Art Fair in Hampstead, such a great opportunity to increase my visibility as an artist in such a vibrant art environment. London has offered me great connections for projects I have had the chance to be involved in or that I am currently working on. More news to come….Moreover strong personal recollections, very dear to me, are the link to the City. I would never say no to an exhibition in London or even simply a city trip. For my business, I have also started looking at the United States to represent a valuable extension of what I have been doing so far in Europe, and it’s also a mature and knowledgeable art-market. One thing at the time, I know I will get there as well.

When it comes to leisure, Istanbul is the city that pops up in my mind. I visited it for the first time on my own in 2010. I fell in love with it instantaneously, up to the point that in the following 40 days, I went back twice. Istanbul for many aspects reminds me of Sicily which is not a surprise as the Ottoman Empire conquered us in the 10^th century. I loved walking in its streets, crossing its bridges on foot, stopping in the port and eating a local sandwich with freshly fried fish on the traditional boats, visiting the amazing architectural sites such as the mosques, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern and many more , relaxing in the traditional baths, shopping for colorful spices, drinking the Turkish coffee and meeting the locals who were valuable city-guides and also precious advisors when it comes to food and beverages in traditional restaurants with an astonishing view on the Bosphorus. One of my favorite dishes is manti, a sort of traditional Turkish pasta, somehow similar to Italian tortellini, typically served topped with yoghurt and garlic, and spiced with red pepper powder and melted butter, and topped with ground sumac and dried mint. Simply to die for!

How are food and art connected?

Well, cooking is an art, taking meticulous care when presenting dishes. When a chef mixes his well-chosen ingredients, combines them and obtains a tasty result is a process similar to what an artist like me does when I paint. I carefully select my pigments, I weight them, I project mentally how I want them to blend to create the vibrant chromatic effects my paintings are known for. Then, another similarity between food and art, is the desire to taste the ingredients while executing the preparation. Food is source of pleasure. Tasting and monitoring the ingredients is part of the control process that brings to excellence. In the same way, I am so addicted to my inks that if I could I would drink them. No worries, I haven’t tried yet but I like when they penetrate my skin while painting. I like feeling them. I don’t use gloves on purpose. To me it’s a sort of osmosis. It’s unconscious but necessary during the creative process.

You’re from Sicily. What are your top food/experience recommendations?

Well, this is a tough question. The choice is very large. Moreover, any traveller passing by Sicily can witness how impressive and diverse food experiences are from place to place. Of course I have my MUST HAVE, choices every time I go back to visit family and friends. To someone who desires discovering Sicily from a gastronomic point of view, I would surely recommend to try Arancine (fried rice balls). This is a classic! With meat, fish, veggies or simply butter and mozzarella they are simply stunning!

I am also a big fan of Sicilian Caponata(Eggplant stew). The best one is the homemade version. My dad is so good at it. Moreover, a traveler should not leave Sicily without trying the Cannolo Siciliano, a crispy brown shell filled with fresh sweet sheep milk ricotta and chocolate chips, garnished with candied fruits. In Piana degli Albanesi, a small village close to Palermo, where Albanian is still spoken, there is a gigantic version of it. At breakfast time another MUST have is the Granita (of lemon, mulberry, pistachio, coffee and many more sorts). It is iced and super good. Don’t forget to taste it with a warm brioche. The experience will be priceless. When it comes to red wines, I love Nero D’Avola. My favorite white one is called Gocce Di Luce, It’s a white wine obtained from black grapes. It sounds weird but its taste is gorgeous. To end, anyone must try Passito of Pantelleria and Marsala, two traditional liquors that honor the richness and the diversity of my marvelous island.

I want to thank Beddru again sharing his travel influences with The Dining Traveler and for  his years of unconditional love and friendship. He’s a role model for those who want to follow their passion. You can learn more about his art on his website, Beddru.

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