The Culinary Journey
Before You Dive Into The Stories, Here Is Some Behind-The-Scenes Look:
I remember myself as a little girl, helping my mom in the kitchen, watching in awe as she took a few simple ingredients and turned them into something magical. The smell of sweet challah mixed with the scent of melted cheese on Saturday mornings—that was the smell of love, of home. Even then, I understood that food was much more than just something to eat when you're hungry. Food is my love language.
Along the way, I discovered that I remember places through their flavors. Like in The Butterfly Effect, where Ashton Kutcher travels through time using photographs, I travel through time using taste. Every Pad Thai takes me back to my dad’s 70th birthday, the spiced rum reminds me of long workdays in Melbourne, and the pizza that comforted me after a missed flight. These memories aren’t just in my head—they’re at my fingertips, on my tongue, in the waves of emotion that hit me when I taste them again.
When I want to get to know a new culture, the first thing I do is visit the local market. There’s something raw and authentic in markets that you just can’t find anywhere else. Between the colorful stalls, the noise, the scents, and the locals, you can feel the heartbeat of a place. Whether it’s Mindil Beach Market in Darwin or the buzzing markets of Bangkok—I’ve tried everything, even when I wasn’t always sure what I was eating.
In Melbourne, I found vibrant food festivals and wine tours that felt like time travel. Between the cheese stands, chocolate tastings, and the rolling vineyards of Yarra Valley, I discovered that food and wine are the perfect love story. What touched me most were the faces behind the creations—reminding me that food is more than just nourishment. It’s passion, it’s art. Just like wine, which changes with the land and climate, we, too, are shaped by our environment and the hands that guide us.
Cafés are my second home in every new place I visit. As a barista, I’ve worked in coffee shops around the world, each one teaching me something new—not just about coffee, but about people. This knowledge changes the way I experience every café I walk into. I immediately see what’s happening behind the scenes. And now, as a digital nomad, cafés have become my mobile office. I choose them carefully—not just for the quality of their coffee, but for their atmosphere.
My background as a bartender gives me a unique perspective. In every new city, I seek out hidden bars, signature cocktails, and the local twist on classic drinks. I can immediately tell if a bartender is truly passionate about what they do or if they’re just getting through their shift. And when I meet a real bartender, trust me, it’s like meeting an artist at their best.
One of the highlights of my journey was a cruise to Sydney—an elegant fine dining experience that made me feel like Queen Elizabeth herself. A lavish buffet that changed every night, making me a little embarrassed by my appetite—but not enough to stop enjoying it.
My culinary journey has taught me that the way we eat reflects the way we live—and I love to taste everything, take in everything, and stay hungry for more. Here, in this category, I want to take you with me on a journey through flavors and aromas, cultures and traditions, joys and nostalgia. Because food is more than just food—it’s a story, a history, a love.
Here, you’ll find short stories about flavors, cocktails, coffee, and a deep love for food, as part of Journey Beyond Borders 🌎 (Wednesday).
You can also follow The Journey Through Time 🕰️ (Monday), which presents my journey chronologically, and experience my most authentic moments in The Daily Journey 📆.
Come back here to explore my culinary adventures and the people I’ve met through unforgettable tastes.