I was once at a meeting where they asked everyone to write their name on their name plate and draw an image that depicted a “fun fact” about themselves. Now, I feel like this is never an easy question. No one wants to come off as boring, or “braggy,” or, in a worst case scenario, share something that makes you unique but takes a negative turn (you know, there’s always one).

I was struggling to find what made me different from every other unique person in the room. While I was staring blankly at my name plate, my boss said “I know something for you….it’s easy.” My interest was peaked. “You like food more than anyone I have every met.” It’s true…I do. I think about it constantly, I talk about it way too much, and I plan my meals endlessly to make sure that I am maxing out my “tasty” quotient for each day. In fact, I had sent no less than five emails to my boss and co-worker on restaurant options within reasonable taxi distance from our conference. What’s a hungry girl to do? We were in Nashville, where there are TONS of options (shout out to the AMAZING 5th & Taylor). I couldn’t fathom leaving without getting to know the city, and I feel like getting to know a culture largely comes from tasting the cuisine.

So that leads me to how I start to plan every trip. The food. For example, have you ever heard of a trip to Italy that didn’t mention pasta, pizza, or gelato? If you have, I want to shake your hand because you are in a small group, my friend!

I truly believe that taste is the most powerful of the senses (obviously along with smell, since it is such a contributing factor). It has the power to create a memory that you think back on, and all too often, make an audible reaction….”mmmm.”

Yes, I’m that girl that will lust after meals past. I can remember my first taste of Spaghetti Nonna Rosa at Il Gatto e la Volpe in Florence, the bittersweet and acidic medley of the ceviche at Coqui Coqui in Tulum, eating the crispy greasiness of fried zucchini flowers in actual Roman ruins at Costanza’s in Rome, and the hearty taste of stuffed tomatoes that I couldn’t get enough of while sitting under a canopy of grape clusters in Paxos, Greece (kicking myself for not getting the name of the place!).

I’m still not satisfied…each delicious meal intensifies my desire to try yet another place, another meal, and another specialty (am I right, Hunger Diaries? She just gets me). My food bucket list contains Bolognese in Bologna, pizza in Naples, pho in Vietnam, perogies in Poland…and so so many more!

I’ve never considered myself an adventurous eater, but apparently I am more so than the “average bear.” I like to try the local specialties. If the local specialty is rabbit, I guess I’m getting rabbit. How can I understand how people of another culture live their day to day, if I stick with what I could/would order back in Florida? My one exception is mussels….I CANNOT get enough mussels, particularly when in a seaside town!

I assure you that I learned about my love for researching the best places to eat (and I’m not talking fancy…I mean quality) by getting burned a time or two. One situation sticks out like a sore thumb. Just like many tourists, I fell victim to getting lured in by a sidewalk restaurant promoter promising great things. When the meal came out, there were vegetables that looked like they were dumped straight from a Green Giant bag. No offense to Green Giant, but if I wanted frozen veggies, I’d go to the nearest Publix. My meal that night fed a stray dog…the term “doggy bag” has never been more literal.

The moral of the story: I will search tirelessly looking for that perfect meal that captures all facets of a destination. It takes time..boy, does it take time…but no matter way, it is better than chasing down stray dogs.