Traveling Spoon Is Bringing the World Closer Through Authentic Culinary Experiences

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

Imagine exploring a bustling street in Mexico and catching a glimpse of a local woman preparing a traditional meal in her kitchen. You feel a sudden desire to join her, to learn her recipes, and hear her stories. This is the essence of Traveling Spoon, a company founded on the principle of providing travelers with genuine culinary experiences that go beyond the typical tourist fare. Through Traveling Spoon, you can enjoy home-cooked meals, cooking classes, and market visits in the comfort of a local’s home, all while diving deep into the cultural and culinary traditions of the destination.

The concept for Traveling Spoon emerged from the founders’ own travel experiences. In 2007, Steph Lawrence traveled to China but felt disconnected from the local food culture, despite weeks spent traversing the country. She longed for an experience where she could learn traditional recipes from a local grandmother rather than dine in tourist-laden banquet halls. Meanwhile, in 2011, Aashi Vel experienced similar challenges during a trip to Mexico, struggling to find authentic local cuisine amidst the trendy restaurants recommended by review sites. These encounters sowed the seeds for Traveling Spoon, which launched in 2013 after the founders met at a business school and decided to turn their shared vision into a reality.

Their goal was simple yet profound: to create meaningful connections through food by bridging the gap between travelers and local cultures. With Traveling Spoon, tourists don’t just visit a place; they experience it in a personal, authentic way. The company’s mission is to make the world a smaller, better place by fostering understanding and friendships across cultural boundaries.

Imagine Provided By: Clay | Host in Savannah, GA

Traveling Spoon operates as an online marketplace that connects travelers with hosts offering private and authentic culinary experiences in their homes. Through the website, travelers can browse destinations worldwide and select from various offerings, such as a meal with the host, cooking classes, or even a market tour. Each experience is private, ensuring that guests have the opportunity to fully engage with the host and learn about the local culture without distractions.

The company goes above and beyond to ensure quality and safety. Each host is vetted through a rigorous three-step process, which includes interviews and assessments by ambassadors who document their experiences with the host. This meticulous vetting ensures that every host not only provides an outstanding meal but also embodies a passion for cultural exchange and hospitality. Traveling Spoon’s dedication to quality extends to its guests as well, with a simple yet effective process that gathers relevant information about dietary restrictions and verifies booking details.

Like many travel-related businesses, Traveling Spoon faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with global lockdowns stifling international tourism. The founders quickly adapted by launching online cooking classes, which enabled participants to learn traditional recipes from hosts worldwide via virtual sessions. The pivot to online experiences not only helped sustain the business during

Imagine Provided By: Courtland | Host in New Orleans, LA

a tumultuous period but also broadened access to authentic culinary experiences. Guests could virtually cook alongside a grandmother in Florence or learn to make mole in Mexico, bridging distances through shared culinary traditions.

As travel resumed, Traveling Spoon eagerly returned to offering in-person experiences, with hosts now located in over 200 destinations worldwide. The company’s model not only supports local economies but also helps preserve culinary traditions that might otherwise fade away. Many hosts find joy in sharing recipes passed down through generations, and for some, like a host in Bali who used Traveling Spoon’s platform to support his family after an injury, the opportunity to earn a livelihood by sharing their culinary heritage has been life-changing.

The heart of Traveling Spoon’s mission lies in its commitment to preserving culinary traditions. As a host in Mexico expressed, while her children may not be interested in learning the family’s intricate mole recipe, tourists from around the world are eager to learn, helping to keep her grandmother’s culinary legacy alive. These experiences offer more than just a meal; they provide a window into the history, values, and everyday life of the communities that travelers visit.

Imagine Provided By: Carole | Host in France

Traveling Spoon has already facilitated countless heartwarming connections. For instance, a couple from New England formed such a deep bond with their host in Chennai that they later invited her to spend Thanksgiving with them in the United States. Stories like these highlight the powerful impact of Traveling Spoon’s model, which goes beyond tourism to create enduring cross-cultural friendships.

Traveling Spoon aims to become the global leader in culinary travel. The founders envision a world where anyone planning a trip automatically thinks of Traveling Spoon as their go-to platform for genuine food experiences. With offerings that include everything from olive oil workshops in Italy to rum-making classes in Barbados, the company is set on becoming the one-stop destination for travelers seeking to delve deeply into the culinary landscapes of their destinations.

As the company expands, its mission remains clear: to celebrate and share the world’s diverse culinary traditions, making travel more meaningful and memorable. For travelers who seek to understand a place through its flavors, traditions, and the warmth of a local’s hospitality, Traveling Spoon offers a truly unique and transformative experience.

If you’re looking to make your next trip more enriching, consider booking an experience through Traveling Spoon. Whether it’s a cooking class with a chef in Mumbai or a traditional meal in a local host’s home in Tokyo, you’ll come away with more than just great memories—you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the world’s cultures and cuisines.

Discover more and start your culinary adventure today by visiting Traveling Spoon, where authentic, memorable travel experiences await you.