This City Is Delicious

LIMA: Maido, Ceviche + Is the World’s Best Restaurant Really the Best?

Lima, Peru is home to brilliant ceviche, bustling markets and some of the most celebrated restaurants on the planet. Kevin taste-tests five Lima food tours, eats at Maido and Central, and asks one deceptively tricky question: when everyone claims to be the best, what’s actually worth your appetite and travel dollars? In this episode of This City Is Delicious, we’re doing things a little differently. No guest. No polite little restaurant roundup. Instead, Kevin pulls back the curtain on how he actually judges a food tour after taste-testing more than 150 culinary experiences around the world. Using five very different Lima food tours as his delicious laboratory, Kevin shares the eight things that can make or break an experience, from booking and guides to storytelling, access, flow and the tiny details known around here as Napkin Patrol. Then we trade food tours for tasting menus. Lima is home to some of the most celebrated restaurants on the planet, but does “the best” always mean the most memorable? We get into Maido, Central, Mérito, eye-watering price tags, World’s 50 Best hype and whether a bowl of sopa criolla can stay with you longer than a meal costing hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. Plus, Kevin dishes out the Lima spots he’d return to, the markets worth getting lost in, one tourist market he’d actually skip, and the Peruvian treats worth squeezing into your suitcase. We’re talking: 🍋‍🟩 Five very different Lima food tours + which one took Kevin’s top spot 📝 Kevin’s 8-part food tour test: booking, guide, food, storytelling, flow, access, Napkin Patrol + personal connection 🏆 Maido, Central + the enormous pressure of being called “the world’s best” 💸 When dinner costs four figures, what are you actually paying for? 🥣 Siete Sopas + the casual Lima bites that proved hype isn’t everything ☕ Cortados, tropical-fruit gelato + one unapologetic carnivore detour 🛒 Mercado Central, Santa Cruz, Santa Anita + one market Kevin says to skip 🧳 Aguamanto jam, crunchy Peruvian corn, quinoa + pisco worth bringing home 💌 Listener questions about classics, “hidden gems,” great guides + whether Kevin can ever take a food tour just for fun 🎧 Follow on @spotify @apple @amazonmusic or listen where ever you find your favourite podcasts. ⁉️ Have a question about this episode, or a tasty story from one of your favourite food cities? DM us a voice note on Instagram @thiscityisdelicious, or email hello@thiscityisdelicious.com. Travel hungry. This City Is Delicious™ CHAPTERS 00:26 – Cold Open The first warning shot at hype, restaurant rankings and food that doesn’t quite match the expectation. 00:44 – Welcome to Lima Five food tours, five celebrated restaurants and one city with some very serious culinary swagger. 03:37 – Why Lima Gets a Different Kind of Episode No guest this time. Kevin turns his own food-tour obsession, experience and seven-page audit into a resource for hungry travellers. 04:32 – Bourdain, Tony + a Toronto Detour A sneak peek at A24’s Tony, Anthony Bourdain’s complicated charm and retracing some of his Toronto footsteps. 05:46 – Lima, Expectations + “The Best” World’s 50 Best rankings, fancy tasting menus and the enormous expectations waiting at the table before the first bite even arrives. 11:10 – Five Lima Food Tours Barranco, Central Lima, tuk-tuks, markets, hands-on ceviche and five very different ways to eat your way across the city. 19:22 – The 8 Things Kevin Looks For in a Food Tour Booking. Guides. Food. Storytelling. Flow. Access. Napkin Patrol. Personal connection. Here’s what separates good from genuinely great. 31:45 – Five of the World’s Most Celebrated Restaurants Kevin compares Lima’s heavy hitters and reveals which meal actually became his favourite of the bunch. 34:30 – What Is “The Best” Actually Worth? Four-figure dinners, reputation, technique, theatre, service and the uncomfortable question of whether expensive always means memorable. 39:53 – Lima Beyond the Rankings Sopa criolla, seafood rice, cortados, Vietnamese-Peruvian flavours, dry-aged beef and the smaller spots Kevin would happily return to. 43:36 – Gelato + Market Madness Aguamanto and blueberry gelato lead us into Mercado Central, Santa Cruz, the enormous Santa Anita wholesale market and some serious produce envy. 48:08 – Edible Souvenirs from Peru Aguamanto jam, crunchy Peruvian corn, quinoa and, naturally, a bottle or two of pisco. 51:29 – Listener Questions Do first-time visitors need the classics? Are “hidden gems” dead? Can a brilliant guide rescue average food? And can Kevin ever stop auditing and simply eat? 57:57 – Next Stop: Melbourne 🇦🇺 Coffee as a competitive sport, multicultural laneways, markets, doughnuts, flat whites, Tim Tams and plenty more reasons to arrive hungry. If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

ATHENS: Feta, Phyllo + the Fuss over Greek Salad with Vivian Pelopida

What really belongs in a Greek salad? Why are Athenians lining up longer for sourdough than the Acropolis? And what might Socrates and Plato have eaten while debating in the ancient Agora? In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Kevin heads to ATHENS, to explore the Greek capital through ancient appetites, neighbourhood markets, family recipes and plenty of feta. Kevin is joined by Vivian Pelopida, a proudly Greek licensed travel guide born in Thessaloniki, briefly raised in Toronto and now calling Athens home. For more than 30 years, she has guided travellers across Greece, bringing its history, archaeology, food and traditions deliciously to life. Together, they dig into the simplicity of Greek cooking, the foods tourists overlook, the great horiatiki versus dakos debate, the problem with bad moussaka and why some of Athens’ most memorable meals are found far beyond the obvious tourist hits. Plus, Kevin shares the Athens bites and places he still dreams about, from impossibly thick Greek yogurt dripping with honey at Stani to loukoumades, neighbourhood laiki markets, legendary grilled meats and one cheekily named bakery where sourdough has become the hottest ticket in town. We’re talking: 🥗 Why a real Greek salad does NOT need lettuce 🍅 Horiatiki vs. dakos and the delicious Greek salad identity crisis 🫘 Why legumes might be one of Greece’s most underrated culinary treasures 🍆 The secret to great moussaka and why not every version deserves your order 🍊 Portokalopita, phyllo pies + the desserts Kevin couldn’t stop eating 🥖 Jesus Crust, Athens’ micro-bakery boom + sourdough worth skipping the Acropolis for 🏛️ What Socrates, Plato + ancient Athenians might have eaten at the Agora 🐟 Seafood tavernas, neighbourhood dining + where Athenians actually eat 🛒 Athens Central Market + the laiki street markets that bring everyday Greek food culture to life 🍯 Stani’s legendary Greek yogurt with honey 🍖 Kevin’s favourite kebabs, falafel, markets + delicious Athens discoveries 🫒 Olive oil, feta + spoon sweets worth making room for in your suitcase Plus, listener questions, edible souvenirs and Kevin’s favourite Athens recommendations to make your next visit to the Greek capital even more delicious. 🎧 Follow This City Is Delicious wherever you find your favourite podcasts. 📍 Find even more recommendations, food finds + behind-the-scenes bites on Instagram @thiscityisdelicious. ⁉️ Have a question about this episode, or a tasty story from one of your favourite food cities? DM us a voice note on Instagram or email hello@thiscityisdelicious.com. Travel hungry. This City Is Delicious™ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Cold Open Greek salad debates, tourist traps + why sourdough might be Athens’ hottest ticket. 00:38 – Welcome to Athens Kevin introduces a city of ancient appetites, neighbourhood markets, Greek hospitality + food worth planning a trip around. 03:27 – Gorgeous, Delicious + Chill Why living in Athens for nearly five months changed Kevin’s relationship with the city, plus loukoumades, Greek coffee + old-school local rituals. 06:47 – Meet Vivian Licensed travel guide Vivian shares her proudly Greek story, from Thessaloniki and Toronto to more than 30 years guiding travellers across Greece. 08:52 – Why Greek Food Works Mediterranean eating, sustainability, regional influences + the remarkable simplicity behind Greek cuisine. 12:03 – Beyond the Greek Classics Why legumes deserve more attention, from fava to giant beans, plus the complicated truth about restaurant moussaka. 13:50 – The Great Greek Salad Debate Horiatiki, the unwanted tourist known as lettuce + why the Greek salad outside Greece became something very different. 15:42 – Horiatiki vs. Dakos Cretan rusks, juicy tomatoes, feta + a delicious rivalry between two beloved salads. 17:01 – Where Locals Eat Pagrati, Petralona, Piraeus + neighbourhoods worth exploring beyond Athens’ historic centre. 18:20 – The Dish Vivian Won’t Share Gemista, memories of her grandmother + a tiny restaurant near the Acropolis making its own phyllo. 19:37 – Phyllo + Portokalopita The syrup-soaked orange cake Kevin practically ate every day and the practical history behind Greece’s tray-baked sweets. 21:15 – Jesus Crust + Athens’ Bakery Boom The cheeky sourdough bakery Kevin loves, the rise of Athens micro-bakeries + why bread lines can rival the Acropolis. 22:24 – Eating with Socrates + Plato Breakfast in ancient Athens, the Agora, Mediterranean delicacies, symposium culture + what food tells us about Greek history. 24:39 – Athens Central Market Why the market is essential to understanding the city and the foods, shops + restaurants radiating around it. 26:03 – A Hidden Athens Classic The story of Diporto, its two unassuming doors, more than a century of history + troubling news about its future. 28:58 – Kevin’s Stani Obsession Thick Greek yogurt, golden honey + one old-school Athens dairy Kevin desperately needed to know was still there. 30:18 – Athens Fast Food Moussaka or fava? Souvlaki or gyro? Dakos or horiatiki? Vivian faces Kevin’s rapid-fire Greek food showdown. 32:25 – CJ Enters the Salad Debate Horiatiki gets another vote, lettuce gets evicted + Kevin proposes some questionable new podcast merchandise. 33:49 – The Best Fig Kevin Ever Ate A spontaneous food-tour discovery in Piraeus becomes one of Kevin’s favourite seasonal bites in Greece. 35:16 – Seven Greek Food Tours Later What Kevin learned after taking multiple food tours across Greece and why travellers deserve more than repeated classics. 37:38 – Shop Like an Athenian Laiki street markets, stunning produce + why Athens’ everyday neighbourhood markets belong on your itinerary. 39:59 – Kevin’s Athens Favourites Jesus Crust, Stani, legendary kebabs + some of the places Kevin still has pinned on his Athens food map. 42:27 – A Hotel Built for Food Lovers Inside Ergon House, where boutique rooms sit above restaurants, gourmet shops, a butcher, fishmonger + cooking experiences. 43:52 – An Unexpected Taste of Damascus Syrian falafel with an extra-crunchy twist + one tiny restaurant Kevin says deserves a place on your Athens eating itinerary. 45:11 – What to Bring Home from Greece Olive oil, olives, feta + colourful jars of syrupy spoon sweets worth squeezing into your luggage. 48:14 – Listener Questions A Greek drink Kevin probably wouldn’t order twice + the city he found easiest to explore without restaurant reservations. 53:02 – Next Stop: Lima Kevin thanks Vivian and teases ceviche, anticuchos + what it’s really like to eat at Maido, named the number one restaurant in the world. If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

BEST WE ATE: Top 8 Bites, More Recos, Listener Questions + Delicious Bloopers

Eight cities. Countless bites. A few spicy opinions. And apparently enough bloopers to prove that launching a podcast is not always as smooth as the perfect custard. In this special episode of This City Is Delicious, Kevin and CJ are taking a delicious little victory lap through the first eight cities of the podcast. We’re revisiting the bites that stayed with us, serving up extra recommendations that did not make it into the original episodes, and answering listener questions about food tours, unfamiliar dishes and travelling internationally with cheese. Kevin also sits down with Amanda Kenner, a food-tour guest he met in Porto, to explore what travellers should expect from a great culinary experience, what makes a tour feel authentic and what happens when a so-called progressive dinner feels a little too random. Then, it is straight to the cutting-room floor for a blooper reel filled with pronunciation problems, recording-room chaos, tipsy introductions and undeniable proof that Kevin is, indeed, a professional. Plus, we reveal the next eight delicious cities we are packing our appetites for. We’re talking: 🍴 Extra recommendations from Cape Town, Barcelona, Singapore, Amman, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Porto + Madrid 🍋 A Madrid pastry so delicious Kevin would book a flight just to eat it again 🌮 Michelin-level tacos hiding in the heart of Barcelona 🥯 Choripán, labneh, chicken rice + some dangerously delicious Toronto sweets 🧳 How to choose a food tour when the options feel overwhelming 🍽️ What separates a great food tour from four random places serving food 🐑 How to handle unfamiliar dishes without offending your guide or host 🧀 Ash-covered cheese, international cheese travel + Kevin’s suitcase strategies 🎙️ Listener questions from Australia, Chicago, Toronto + Nashville 😂 Flubs, fumbles, pronunciation disasters + one unexpectedly musical Alexa Plus, Kevin shares where the team is headed next - and what cities you need to get hungry for. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Arabic Coffee Has Entered the Chat Kevin’s tongue takes an early detour before the special episode officially begins 00:15 – Welcome to BEST WE ATE Eight cities, extra bites, listener questions, food-tour stories + a few recording-room casualties 01:34 – Passports Down, Appetites Up Kevin and CJ look back at the first eight episodes and the connections created through food 03:47 – The Recommendations We Couldn’t Fit A rapid-fire second helping of delicious discoveries from around the world 04:03 – Cape Town’s Edible Wonderland Babylonstoren brings together gardens, vineyards, farm shops + seasonal bites 05:11 – Michelin-Level Tacos in Barcelona An unexpected Mexican meal proves delicious cities always contain another delicious city 06:08 – Move Into Maxwell Food Centre Hainanese chicken rice, people-watching + the beautiful buzz of Singapore 06:50 – Kevin’s Labneh Love Affair Amman serves up creamy, tangy cheese-frosting energy 07:38 – Buenos Aires Between the Bread Why choripán deserves space beside the empanadas and asado 08:55 – Toronto’s Sweet Side Nanaimo bars, Eccles cakes, raisins + two desserts worth crossing the city for 11:58 – The Madrid Pastry Emergency A lemon-curd mascarpone creation inspires immediate flight-booking thoughts 13:34 – Meet Food-Tour Guest Amanda Kevin introduces the Barcelona-based traveller he met on her first-ever food tour in Porto 14:13 – Booking a Food Tour Without the Jank Amanda explains what she looked for when choosing a tour as a solo traveller 15:14 – Why Booking Direct Matters Websites, third-party platforms + the value of knowing who is actually running your experience 16:40 – Strangers, Snacks + Travel Friendships How solo travel and food tours make it easier to connect around the table 17:13 – Was the Porto Tour Actually Good? Kevin and Amanda revisit the experience with a more critical culinary lens 18:57 – A Progressive Dinner That Didn’t Progress Four stops do not necessarily create a thoughtfully coursed evening 19:57 – Remembering the Food Chicken sausage, craft drinks, bifanas + the bites that survived the memory test 22:27 – Porto Recommendations Redeemed A favourite pork sandwich and pastel de nata earn their moment 23:47 – Kevin May Have Ruined Amanda CJ considers whether Amanda will ever be able to take an innocent food tour again 25:18 – Listener Questions Are Served CJ opens the inbox and Kevin prepares to dish out advice 25:37 – How Do You Find a Great Food Tour? Fresh websites, meaningful reviews + local recognition help separate the gems from the gimmicks 27:25 – What If You Don’t Like the Food? Dietary restrictions, unfamiliar flavours + why curiosity is part of the adventure 29:26 – Ashley’s Ash-Covered Cheese Question Kevin explains the history, flavour and Toronto options behind this dramatic cheese style 31:28 – Can Cheese Travel Internationally? Hard cheeses, vacuum packs, airport shops + the importance of checking customs regulations 34:20 – Keep the Questions Coming How listeners can send food-city questions, voice notes + spicy opinions to the show 34:43 – Delicious Bloopers Arabic coffee, microphone apologies, tipsy introductions + names that refuse to be pronounced 38:00 – The Next Eight We’ll Eat Melbourne, Taipei, Lima, London, Dubai, Athens, New York + Tokyo are officially on the menu If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

MADRID: Jamon, Botín + the Great Patatas Bravas Debate with Margit from Walk and Eat Spain

Madrid doesn’t just serve tapas. It turns eating into a daily ritual, where market counters become meeting places, lunch stretches into the afternoon, and one innocent plate of potatoes can ignite a company-wide culinary feud. In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Kevin Durkee heads to Spain’s vibrant capital for a delicious debate-filled bite of Madrid with Margit Sperling, Co-Director and Chief Food Officer of Walk and Eat. Margit has lived in Madrid for nearly 20 years and founded Walk and Eat Food Tours to connect travellers with the neighbourhood markets, family-run businesses, traditional taverns and modern food stories that make the city so special. Kevin and Margit talk about what makes a great food tour guest, why travellers should book directly with independent operators, and how Madrid’s food culture is being reshaped by immigration, creativity and a new generation of bakers, chefs and culinary entrepreneurs. They also tackle the important questions. Is Botín really worth the hype? Does the colour label on jamón matter? Should patatas bravas be removed from food tours entirely? And is a vinegar-marinated anchovy served on a potato chip one of the greatest one-handed snacks ever invented? Spoiler: Kevin and Margit may have formed an anti-bravas alliance. We’re talking: 🥔 Patatas bravas, personal preferences + one raging company debate 🍫 Freshly fried churros, thick chocolate + how to spot the good stuff 🐖 Botín, roast suckling pig + whether the world’s oldest restaurant is worth the hype 🧀 Spanish cow, sheep + goat cheeses beyond Manchego 🐟 Fried calamari, boquerones en vinagre + the tapas Olympic event 🍖 Jamón serrano, jamón ibérico + what those coloured labels actually mean 🍲 Menú del día, spoon food + the joy of a proper Madrid lunch 🌍 Immigration, global flavours + Madrid’s evolving food story 🛒 Mercado Barceló, Mercado de San Antón + which famous market may be worth only a quick look Plus, Kevin shares his Madrid market picks, must-pack flavours and why every food traveller should leave one afternoon completely unplanned. CHAPTERS 00:00 – A Controversial Madrid Take Patatas bravas, Botín + a taste of the debate ahead 00:25 – Welcome to Madrid Kevin introduces Spain’s vibrant capital and today’s delicious itinerary 02:09 – Barcelona, Madrid or Sevilla? CJ asks Kevin to choose his favourite Spanish food city 03:17 – Meet Margit Sperling The story behind Walk and Eat Spain and Madrid’s neighbourhood food tours 04:50 – An Outsider Becomes an Insider Margit reflects on nearly 20 years of eating and living in Madrid 06:33 – A City of Barrios Why the best Madrid food stories live inside its neighbourhoods 07:05 – How to Be a Better Food Tour Guest Try something new, listen closely and book directly 08:57 – The Churro Rule Why your churro should be fried in the churrería where you buy it 10:09 – Is Botín Worth the Hype? Roast suckling pig, Hemingway history + Margit’s booking advice 13:09 – Madrid’s Changing Food Story Immigration, global flavours + the cuisines reshaping the capital 15:34 – The Three Kingdoms of Spanish Cheese Cow, sheep, goat + her favourite three cheeses that are not Manchego 18:40 – Markets, Parks + Slowing Down Kevin makes the case for an unplanned picnic day 19:36 – The Great Patatas Bravas Debate Margit explains why she refuses to eat Madrid’s famous potatoes 21:19 – Calamari, Russian Salad + Better Fried Things The dishes Margit would order instead 22:46 – The Olive of the Sea Boquerones en vinagre meet the perfect salty potato chip 24:20 – Jamón Labels Explained Serrano, ibérico, pata negra + why quality takes years 26:50 – Margit’s Perfect Madrid Food Day Tomato toast, bakery treats, menú del día + wine with sparkling water 30:10 – Does Madrid Have Street Food? Why afternoon snacks belong inside cafés and bars 30:47 – Cheese, Wine + Margit’s Favourite Restaurants La Carbonera, Bodegas Rivas + ordering everything on the menu 31:27 – The Fast Food Quiz Churros, olives, brisket, cheese + a dream trip to San Sebastián 33:00 – CJ Defends the Potato A carb-loving response to Margit and Kevin’s anti-bravas alliance 33:32 – Kevin’s Favourite Madrid Markets Mercado Barceló, Mercado de San Antón + the truth about San Miguel 35:30 – Madrid’s Must-Pack Eats Jamón, boquerones, saffron, sea salt + flavours for the suitcase 37:00 – Our Bite of Madrid A final thank-you to Margit and Walk and Eat Spain 37:40 – Next Up: Best 8 We Ate Eight cities, bonus bites, guest opinions + listener questions 39:00 – Travel Hungry The plates are cleared, but the appetite continues If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

TORONTO: Cheese, Dim Sum + Delicious Diversity with Kevin from Culinary Adventure Co. and Foodism Toronto

This time, the tables are turned. In this episode of This City Is Delicious, we’re staying home in Toronto, and our host Kevin Durkee is no longer the one asking all the questions. Because when the city is Toronto, Kevin is the culinary insider. So CJ, his Taste Bud + Producer, along with Dan, his Audio Engineer, surprise Kevin and put him in the hot seat for a very special home-grown episode. Together, they dig into the delicious layers of Toronto: from St. Lawrence Market and handmade dim sum to Canadian cheese, Jamaican beef patties, Kensington Market, neighbourhood food stories, and the global flavours that make this city one of the most exciting places to eat in the world. Kevin shares the food memories that shaped him, the story behind CHEESEWERKS and Culinary Adventure Co., the Canadian cheeses worth chasing, and the Toronto bites he sends hungry travellers to first. Then, Kevin welcomes Krista Faist and Katie Bridges from Foodism Toronto, the magazine helping shape and tell the city’s food stories for more than a decade. They talk restaurant openings, iconic dishes, underrated gems, neighbourhoods worth exploring, Michelin, Toronto’s international food scene, and why this city deserves a much bigger seat at the global culinary table. We’re talking: 🧀 Canadian cheese, CHEESEWERKS + the making of The Big Cheese 🥟 Handmade dim sum, Rol San + Kevin’s ultimate Toronto benchmark 🥓 Peameal bacon sandwiches, St. Lawrence Market + Portuguese custard tarts ☕ Vietnamese coffee, bánh mì + one little café Kevin has been gatekeeping 🥙 Greek bites, Middle Eastern street food + eating Toronto by subway 🍔 Michelin stars, Mexican fire cooking + Toronto’s serious restaurant scene 🍸 Foodism Toronto, perfect cocktails + the dishes worth ordering next 🌏 Immigration, neighbourhoods + why Toronto has the world in one bite 🛒 Local markets, food shops, must-pack eats + Kevin’s favourite food finds Plus, as always, we share favourite local markets and shops, must-pack eats, and delicious memories to take home. Because Toronto doesn’t have one signature dish. It has hundreds of cultures, thousands of stories, and every neighbourhood serves a different passport on a plate. 🎧 Listen now to the Toronto episode of This City Is Delicious. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Cold Open Kevin gets a taste of his own hot-seat medicine 00:23 – Dan + CJ Take Over The team reveals Toronto is getting a surprise twist 00:46 – Welcome to Toronto CJ introduces Kevin’s home city and the episode ahead 03:28 – Kevin Gets Suspicious A hometown episode starts to feel a little too personal 04:42 – Behind The Big Cheese Kevin shares the story of his mom, CHEESEWERKS and Culinary Adventure Co. 07:25 – Cheese Talk Incoming Kevin takes us on a coast-to-coast Canadian cheese journey 12:19 – Eating Toronto In One Day CJ asks Kevin where to send hungry travellers for a first taste 13:03 – Toronto By Subway Greek bites, Middle Eastern street food, patties, coffee and ice cream 17:09 – Dim Sum, Markets + Dinner Plans Rol San, St. Lawrence Market, Quetzal and Danico enter the chat 20:29 – Kevin’s Fast Food Hot Seat Cortado, patties, tacos, falafel and a very difficult shrimp-and-grits decision 22:04 – Come Taste Toronto Kevin shares how listeners can join a Culinary Adventure Co. food tour 22:52 – Meet Foodism Toronto Kevin welcomes Krista Faist and Katie Bridges to the episode 24:30 – Ten Years Of Foodism Krista and Katie reflect on the magazine’s evolution and Toronto’s food stories 27:10 – Beyond Viral Bites Why long-form food storytelling still matters in a TikTok world 28:14 – Must-Try Dishes + Drinks Alouette, Bar Prima, Civil Works, 416 Snack Bar and Bar Pompette 31:15 – Describing Toronto’s Food Scene International, innovative and much more delicious than its branding 32:14 – Michelin Comes To Toronto The team talks stars, recognition and Toronto’s place on the global food map 34:49 – Overrated Toronto Trends Viral croissants, “hidden gems” and dishes that maybe need a little time-out 36:40 – Underrated Toronto Bites Tacos, burgers, seafood spots and neighbourhood favourites worth seeking out 38:27 – Neighbourhoods To Explore Little India, College Street, Vietnamese food, Thai food and east-end energy 41:26 – The World In One Bite Kevin reflects on immigration, memory and the place of taste 43:29 – Wrapping With Foodism Kevin, Krista and Katie close out the conversation 44:35 – Toronto Markets + Food Shops St. Lawrence Market, ARZ, The Mercantile, Cumbrae’s, Sanagan’s and Cheese Boutique 47:00 – Must-Pack Eats Maple syrup, icewine, cookbooks and a copy of Foodism for the road 50:14 – Next Stop: Madrid A little tease of the next delicious city If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

BUENOS AIRES: Asado, Empanadas + a Sweet Obsession with Lucy from Sherpa Food Tours

Buenos Aires doesn’t just feed you… it pulls up a chair, pours the wine, and keeps you out far too late. In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Kevin Durkee heads to Argentina’s capital for a big, beautiful bite of Buenos Aires with Lucía Silva of Sherpa Food Tours, a porteña born and raised in the city, and one of the most passionate culinary guides Kevin has ever followed through a neighbourhood. From glossy medialunas and late-afternoon cortados to sizzling parrillas, handmade pasta, perfect empanadas, and the kind of dulce de leche that should probably come with a warning label, this episode digs into the flavours, traditions, and stories that make Buenos Aires unforgettable. Kevin and Lucía talk about what it really means to eat in Argentina, why Buenos Aires is so much more than steak, the city’s Italian and immigrant influences, vegetarian life in a meat-loving culture, and the little pink corner in Palermo where Kevin nearly, basically, sort of had dinner with Dua Lipa. Plus, Kevin shares his own favourite Buenos Aires bites, including one of the best contemporary Jewish meals he’s ever eaten, the empanadas worth crossing town for, and the edible souvenirs to bring home. We’re talking: 🥩 Argentine beef, parrilla culture + the joy of eating together 🥟 The best empanadas in Buenos Aires and which flavours to order 🍝 Gnocchi Day, pasta bars + Italian influence 🧀 Provoleta, choripán + vegetarian asado survival 🍨 Gelato, dulce de leche + Buenos Aires’ serious sweet tooth 🍷 Torrontés, Malbec + wine tucked safely between the socks 🎶 Dua Lipa, milanesa + one very famous pink corner 🛒 San Telmo Market, must-pack eats + Kevin’s favourite food finds If you plan your travel around meals, not museums … this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now where ever you find your favourite podcasts 📍Buenos Aires is a city that eats late, talks loudly, pours generously, and makes every table feel like an invitation. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Cold Open A little Dua Lipa obsession to start 00:16 – Welcome to Buenos Aires Kevin introduces the city, the episode, and the appetite 02:35 – Meat Talk Incoming CJ prepares for Argentina’s beefy reputation 03:04 – Diversity Is Always Delicious Kevin sets up the deeper food story of Buenos Aires 03:49 – Meet Lucía (Lucy) Silva A porteña, a food guide, and your next local friend 05:22 – Sherpa Food Tours How Lucy became a culinary guide in Buenos Aires 06:33 – The Dua Lipa Ticket Rescue When a food tour guide becomes a concert concierge 07:35 – The Little Pink Corner El Preferido, milanesa, and a very famous pop star 09:57 – Buenos Aires Beyond Steak Lucy explains the city’s immigrant food influences 10:31 – Gnocchi Day Why Argentinians eat gnocchi on the 29th 11:18 – The Potato Appreciation Society Pastel de papa, tortilla de papa, and comfort on a plate 12:15 – Being Vegetarian in Beef Country Lucy talks asado, veggies, and guiding meat lovers 14:42 – Locro Makes a Comeback Argentina’s traditional stew gets new life 16:07 – Chacarita, Colegiales + Palermo The new neighbourhood energy of Buenos Aires 16:23 – What Makes a Porteño Lucy explains city identity, the port, and Buenos Aires pride 17:41 – A Day in Lucía’s Buenos Aires Medialunas, mate, bodegón lunches, and slow mornings 18:47 – La Merienda The beautiful third meal between lunch and dinner 19:19 – Wine, Vinyl + Ice Cream Dinner, tapeo, Torrontés, and a sweet finish 20:53 – World Cup Energy Football, Fernet, and millions at the Obelisk 21:37 – Buenos Aires vs. Lima Food capitals, friendly rivalry, and South American pride 24:02 – Kevin’s Favourite Argentine Flavour Nino Gordo, fusion, and why Buenos Aires surprised him 25:54 – The Flan Controversy Lucy's spicy dessert take 27:11 – Fast Food Quiz Torrontés, San Telmo, choripán, provoleta, markets, and gelato 28:57 – Thank You, Lucía How to find Sherpa Food Tours and taste Buenos Aires with Lucy 30:08 – CJ Falls for Buenos Aires Why Lucía’s passion makes the city feel irresistible 30:47 – Great Guides Make Great Tours Kevin talks food tour magic and meaningful connections 32:28 – Dinner with Dua? Kevin and CJ invite a pop star to the table 34:17 – Mashuguna One of Kevin’s best contemporary Jewish meals 38:16 – Empanadas at El Horno Mondongo, humita, and San Telmo Market glory 39:58 – Merci + Mercado de San Telmo A French café, buttery quiche, and market wandering 40:41 – Gelato at Rapanui Buenos Aires’ sweet tooth shows up strong 41:20 – Must-Pack Eats: Mate A bitter classic worth bringing home 42:08 – Must-Pack Eats: Chimichurri The suitcase-safe spice blend strategy 43:12 – Must-Pack Eats: Argentine Wine Malbec, altitude, and bottles between the socks 44:05 – Must-Pack Eats: Dulce de Leche Sticky, sweet, creamy, and deeply Argentine 45:25 – Next Stop: Toronto Chinese dumplings, peameal bacon, and a city full of passport flavours 46:00 – Closing Bite Follow, share, and eat something you can’t pronounce If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

PORTO: Aged Port, Buttergate + Getting Saucy with André + Paulo from Taste Porto

Porto doesn’t just pour rich fortified wines … it stacks saucy sandwiches, crisps the hot dog, ages the cheese, and charges Kevin one euro for 8g of butter. In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Kevin Durkee heads to Porto, where the blue tiles shimmer above the Douro, port cellars line the river, bakeries turn out warm eggy confections, and every bite feels steeped in tradition. Kevin is joined by two voices from Taste Porto: André Apolinário, Co-Founder + CEO, and Paulo Da Rocha Nunes, the guide who led Kevin through the city one unforgettable bite at a time. It’s the boss who builds the tour and the guide who brings it to life. Delicious? Yes. Slightly dangerous? Also yes. Together, they dig into Porto’s food tour scene, what makes a truly great guest, why curiosity matters, and how meeting Anthony Bourdain made a dream come true, family memories, and human connection can make centuries-old dishes feel brand new. In this episode: 🧈 Buttergate: Kevin’s most expensive butter ever 🍷 Why Porto is more than port, but also absolutely port 🥪 Francesinha, cachorrinho + the joy of saucy sandwiches 🧀 Portuguese cheese worth building a table around 🔥 Why innards deserve more love 🥐 The case against pastel de nata as Portugal’s only sweet icon 🍽️ Where to eat after the tour, from Gruta to Emotivo 🛒 Bolhão Market, fine food shops + edible souvenirs 🐟 Sardines, white port, olive oil + suitcase snacks Kevin also shares one of his favourite Porto food tour discoveries, a crunchy, spicy, buttery cachorrinho at Gazella, plus the markets, shops, bottles, tins, and bites worth packing into your own Porto itinerary. Because Porto doesn’t just feed you … it pours another glass and dares you to stay for one more bite. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Cold Open Awkward questions + big dreams 00:16 – Welcome to Porto Kevin sets the table 02:06 – CJ Hasn’t Been North Porto through Kevin’s eyes 02:17 – Buttergate Begins The most-expensive butter ever 04:40 – A Hotel Breakfast Worth Remembering Porto Vella magic 06:20 – Mention Butter A very buttery CTA 07:03 – Meet Taste Porto André + Paulo join 08:07 – Porto Then + Now Tourism, food + change 08:39 – Stories That Stay Human connection matters 09:41 – Great Food Tour Guests Curiosity is everything 11:54 – Why Food Before Port Wine needs something to eat 13:41 – Food Tour Expectations What makes the experience work 14:56 – Building Better Tours Research, planning + love 16:31 – Self-Guided Porto Pandemic pivots + younger travellers 17:34 – The Mystery Ingredient Why surprise matters 18:42 – Paulo’s Three Words Curiosity, art + food 19:09 – Finding Great Guides Personality over résumés 20:23 – Meeting Anthony Bourdain A dream come true 21:45 – André’s Dream List More Porto to discover 22:51 – Cheese, Please Portuguese picks 25:10 – Overrated Porto Duck rice gets roasted 26:11 – Pastel de Nata Debate There’s more to sweets 27:38 – Underrated Innards The good stuff 30:21 – Kevin’s Best Cod Gruta gets remembered 31:23 – Elevated Porto Eats Emotivo + wood fire 32:27 – Fast Food Quiz Port, coffee + hidden gems 34:44 – CJ Needs Port Post-interview pour 35:01 – Portuguese Kevin? Taste Porto reflections 35:36 – Food Tour Snobbery What Kevin looks for 38:10 – Culinary Backstreets A Porto favourite 39:30 – Gazella Magic The legendary cachorrinho 43:15 – Bolhão Market Porto’s famous food hall 44:35 – A Pérola do Bolhão A fine food shop gem 45:30 – Porto Souvenirs Sardines, port + olive oil 46:20 – Sardine Strategy Skip the tourist tins 47:25 – White Port The bottle to discover 48:15 – Quinta do Vallado Olive oil worth packing 49:30 – Next Stop: Buenos Aires Steaks, Malbec + Dua Lipa If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

AMMAN: Fatteh, Falafels + the Culture of Kindness with Lindsay from Amman Food Tours

Amman doesn’t just feed you … it welcomes you in. In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Kevin Durkee heads to Amman and chats with Lindsay Nieminen, Co-Founder + Owner of Amman Food Tours, (and fellow Canadian) to explore Jordan’s capital through its local souks, falafel shops, cafés, family-run restaurants, and deep culture of kindness hospitality. From why breakfast might be the most delicious way to understand Amman, to how dishes like fatteh, falafel, kofta, mansaf, and knafeh carry history, memory, and meaning, this episode is equal parts generous, delicious, and full of heart. Expect a spicy-hot take on the rise of Western-style latte culture, underrated gems like fatteh, and a reminder that in Jordan, food is never just food. It’s welcome. It’s connection. It’s “sit down, eat more” before you’ve even finished the first plate. Kevin digs into his own Amman favourites, from Rainbow Street and Souk Jara to the beautiful community restaurant Ezwitti, cardamom coffee, local spices, sticky date molasses, and edible souvenirs worth packing in your carry-on. And while this episode celebrates the food and people of Jordan, we also recognize the challenges and heartbreak across the wider region. This conversation is rooted in respect, curiosity, and the belief that sharing stories around the table still matters. In this episode: • Why Amman deserves more than a quick stopover • Lindsay’s deeply personal connection to Jordan • How Amman Food Tours became women-led and purpose-driven • Fatteh, falafel, kofta, mansaf, shawarma, knafeh, and more • Overrated latte culture and underrated local breakfasts • Female-led tourism, hospitality, and the meaning of being a guest • Rainbow Street, Souk Jara, Ezwitti, and Kevin’s favourite Amman finds • What edible souvenirs to bring home from Jordan And, Kevin gets very honest about his Top Chef Middle East & North Africa (Season 3) man crush, why Amman needs more time on your itinerary, and how Jordanian hospitality might just feed your soul as much as your stomach. Amman … come hungry, leave welcomed. Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open Tour-guide love, late-night chaos, and kabob energy 00:17 – Welcome to Amman Kevin introduces the episode, Lindsay, and Jordan’s delicious capital 02:29 – Kevin + CJ Talk Middle Eastern Food Favourite dishes, big flavours, and why Amman was so exciting 04:01 – Meet Lindsay Nieminen Travel writer, Co-Founder of Amman Food Tours, and Jordan storyteller 05:40 – Lindsay’s Jordan Story A trip, a love story, loss, resilience, and launching Amman Food Tours 07:56 – Women-Led Food Tours Jumana, female guides, and why women’s voices matter in Jordanian tourism 10:29 – Hospitality + Ezwitti Generosity, pay-it-forward meals, and what it means to be a guest in Jordan 12:29 – Bedouin Culture + Zarb Desert traditions, pit barbecue, and food beyond Amman 13:49 – What Surprises Guests Most Kofta with tahini sauce and the dishes people don’t expect to love 14:48 – Mansaf Matters Jordan’s must-eat dish, lamb, tradition, and eating with your hands 16:58 – Lindsay’s First Bite Back Fatteh, crispy bread, chickpeas, toppings, and breakfast obsession 17:48 – Amman’s Changing Food Scene Local ingredients, young chefs, farm-to-table dining, and new flavours 19:02 – Chef Crushes Chef Ali Ghzawi, Dara Dining by Sara Aquel, and women leading Jordan’s food scene 20:31 – Overrated vs Underrated • Latte culture 👀 • Fatteh, the local bite more travellers need to try 23:14 – The Falafel Debate Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, and why fresh falafel always wins 24:14 – A Perfect Food Day in Amman Hashem, falafel, hummus, fatteh, fool, mint tea, and a very full table 25:35 – Lunch Outside the City Carob House, Madaba, farm-to-table cooking, and a female chef 27:10 – Afternoon Snacks Street shawarma, falafel sandwiches, and finding the local lineup 27:39 – Dinner in Amman Dara Dining, Tawaheen Al Hawa, family-style mezze, and mixed grill 28:28 – Drinks with a View Rainbow Street, rooftop bars, Jordanian wine, and the Citadel skyline 29:03 – Fast Food Quiz Arabic coffee, hummus, tomatoes, knafeh, Bekdash, and tabbouleh 31:04 – Kevin + CJ Recap Amman Food tours, love stories, women-led tourism, and feeding the soul 32:23 – Chef Ali Moment Kevin’s Top Chef crush and why he needs to return to Amman 33:23 – Rainbow Street + Souk Jara Nightlife, cafés, grills, markets, spices, dates, figs, and local energy 34:55 – Rumi Café + Middle Eastern Flavours Rose cake, saffron, pistachios, cardamom, figs, and sweet café moments 36:45 – Ezwitti Deep Dive The kindness wall, community meals, and food as support 38:30 – Take-Home Amman Za’atar, sumac, date molasses, local honey, and cardamom coffee 41:51 – Final Bite + What’s Next Next stop: Porto Before we take a big bite into this delicious episode, I wanted to acknowledge the moment we are in. At the time of this recording, there's conflict and uncertainty across the region. This episode isn't going to ignore that reality, but rather honouring the resilient people, the cultures, the kitchens and community that exist alongside. If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

SINGAPORE: Hawker Stalls, Michelin Stars + Cocktail Memoirs with P.S from Everyday Tour Company

Singapore doesn’t just serve food … it lives in it. In this episode of This City Is Delicious™, Kevin Durkee heads to Singapore and pulls up a plastic stool alongside P.S. Yeo, Founder of Everyday Tour Company, to explore the city through its hawker stalls, Michelin stars, and a deeply personal food culture. From why hawker centres are the heartbeat of Singapore, to how the best meals aren’t fancy - they’re familiar - this episode is equal parts delicious and deeply human. Expect bold takes (truffle, you’re still overrated), underrated gems like satay bee hoon, and a reminder that in Singapore, the real magic isn’t just what’s on the plate - it’s who you’re sharing it with. Kevin digs into his own Singapore favourites - from bustling hawker centres and morning kaya toast rituals to the markets, grocery finds, and edible souvenirs worth packing in your carry-on. In this episode: • Why hawker culture is Singapore’s soul • Is the Michelin Guide a good thing? • Underrated dishes you need to try (satay bee hoon 👀) • Overrated food trends (truffle, again) • Markets, morning rituals, and everyday food culture And, Kevin gets super sentimental sharing his personal family connection to the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail. Singapore … food isn’t an experience. It’s a way of life. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Singapore Food obsession, hawker culture, daily rituals 01:30 – Meet P.S Yeo Global citizen, local flavour expert 03:45 – Why Singapore Eats Different Culture, routine, and real life 06:10 – Hawker Culture Deep Dive Why it matters (and why it’s protected) 09:00 – Tourist vs Local Eating What you should actually order 11:30 – Overrated vs Underrated • Truffle everything 👀 • Satay bee hoon (trust it) 13:10 – Michelin Guide Has it helped or hurt Singapore? 14:15 – The Dish Debate Can one plate define Singapore? 17:00 – Hawker Centres to Know Where to go, what to eat 20:00 – Morning Rituals Kaya toast + kopi culture 22:15 – Grocery Stores & Finds FairPrice Xtra + everyday gems 25:00 – Restaurant Picks Local favourites + standout meals 27:30 – Kevin’s Singapore Favourites Hawkers, snacks, and can’t-miss bites 30:00 – Take-Home Treats What to pack in your suitcase 33:00 – Final Bite + What’s Next Next stop: Amman If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

BARCELONA: Quesos, Besos + Lots of Vermouth with Javier from Uncorked Vines

Vermouth before lunch. Wine with everything. Barcelona figured it out. In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Host Kevin Durkee heads to Barcelona and gets tipsy with Sommelier and Uncorked Vines Founder Javier Rocafort to explore the city through wine, vermouth, and perfectly curated food experiences. From why European drinking culture is more social than indulgent, to how a sommelier-led tour transforms a simple bar crawl into something unforgettable — this episode is equal parts delicious and eye-opening. Expect bold takes (yes, pa amb tomàquet is overrated), underrated gems like morcilla, and a deep dive into vermouth culture … where “let’s grab a drink” turns into a full-blown lifestyle. Plus Kevin shares his own Barcelona finds — from award-winning cheeses and iconic markets to a glazed donut-shaped little legend you won’t forget. Because in Barcelona … the glass isn’t just part of the meal. It is the experience. In this episode: Why Barcelona drinks differently Spanish wine explained (region vs grape) Vermouth culture + how to drink it properly The 'Oscar' for the World's Best Cheese And of course, Kevin shares where to eat, his favourite markets in the city, and the bites you absolutely cannot miss, including the best Quesos + Besos he’s ever had. In Barcelona, every table tells a story … and every glass finishes it. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Barcelona Food, wine, and why this city hits different 01:45 – Food Tours Meet Wine Tours Why this experience flips the script 03:55 – Meet Javier from Uncorked Vines Sommelier, storyteller, wine guide 06:30 – Global Flavours, Local Identity Barcelona’s culinary mix 08:50 – Do Europeans Just Drink More? Spoiler: it’s not what you think 10:15 – Bar Crawl vs Curated Experience Why structure matters 12:00 – Building the Perfect Wine Tour 10 years of evolution 14:45 – Wine Snob or Wine Guide? Fixing bad restaurant wine 17:00 – What Guests Actually Want Curious drinkers, not experts 19:30 – Overrated vs Underrated Bites • Pa amb tomàquet 👀 • Morcilla (trust the process) 22:00 – Spanish Wine 101 Region over grape 23:30 – Vermouth Culture Deep Dive “Let’s do a vermouth” explained 27:00 – How to Drink Vermouth Properly Olive, orange … or nothing 29:30 – Fast Food Quiz: Barcelona Edition Cava forever. Markets. Must-eats. 33:00 – Kevin’s Barcelona Favourites Cheese, markets, and food finds 36:00 – Sweet Treats + Take-Home Bites Boldu donuts, jamón, olive oil 39:00 – Final Bite + What’s Next Next stop: Singapore If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

CAPE TOWN: Burgers, Boerewors + Samoosas with Rupesh from Eat Like A Local

In this premiere episode of This City Is Delicious™, we’re taking a bite out of one of the most unforgettable and delicious food cities on the planet: Cape Town. Kevin and CJ kick things off by comparing their very different travel experiences in South Africa, from feeling deeply connected to the culture to chasing down the best chai latte of all time. Kevin chats with Rupesh Kassen, founder of Eat Like a Local, whose food tour company is on a mission to truly serve guests Cape Town tastes beyond the clichés. They get into everything: Why Cape Town does everyone else’s food so well South African wine and its place on a global table The role culture, race, and history play in what ends up on your plate And of course, Kevin shares where to eat, his favourite markets in the city, and the bites you absolutely cannot miss (including the best samoosas he’s ever had). Cape Town is a complex city of story and spice, yet every bite is worth the trip. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome to Cape Town Spice, culture, and one of the most underrated food cities on the planet. 01:50 — CJ’s Cape Town Love Story Feeling seen, unforgettable bites, and that legendary chai latte. 03:35 — Why Cape Town Hits Different Trade routes, bold flavours, and a city that lingers long after you leave. 04:15 — Meet Rupesh (Eat Like a Local) The insider redefining Cape Town through food, stories, and community. 05:50 — More Than a Food Tour How history, neighbourhoods, and flavour collide in one experience. 07:00 — “Better Than Fine Dining?” Why a 4.5-hour food tour might beat your best reservation. 08:20 — The Fynbos Experience Botanicals, storytelling, and Cape Town’s most unique culinary moment. 10:10 — What Defines Cape Town Cuisine? A global melting pot with no single signature dish. 11:40 — Cape Town’s Food Identity Problem Doing global food well… but where’s South African cuisine? 12:30 — Overrated Bites Burgers. Sushi. (Yes, really.) 14:20 — Underrated Icons Boerewors, fire cooking, and flavours that deserve the spotlight. 15:50 — Snack Hacks & Local Treats Peppermint crisp, milk tricks, and grocery store gold. 17:45 — Edible Souvenirs Only Skip the magnets. Bring home flavour. 18:20 — Hidden Gem: Olive Branch Deli Tiny shop, big personality, serious food cred. 19:30 — Rupesh Eats the World Asia, Mexico, and flavours shaping Cape Town. 20:00 — Cape Town & LGBTQ+ Culture A city where identity blends seamlessly into everyday life. 21:40 — Wine Country, Decoded Franschhoek vs. Swartland: polished vs. rebellious. 22:40 — Food Festivals & When to Go Long tables, wine weekends, and seasonal bites. 23:50 — Perfect Food Day in Cape Town Coffee → small plates → gelato → ramen → cocktails. 27:15 — Rapid Fire: Cape Town Edition Wine, bunny chow, guilty pleasures, must-eats. 29:15 — CJ Reacts: Best Bites Ever? When everything is good… what defines a country? 30:15 — Markets You Can’t Miss Old Biscuit Mill + Oranjezicht = food heaven. 33:00 — The Samosa You’ll Dream About Snook, cheese & corn, and one unforgettable bite. 34:45 — What to Bring Home Biltong, spices, rooibos, and edible memories. 35:45 — Next Stop: Barcelona Vermouth, tapas, and the next delicious city. If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.

• Transcript

Welcome to This City Is Delicious!

Do you know that moment ... that first bite of something so good you stop talking? That’s the feeling we’re chasing the world. Welcome to This City Is Delicious - the podcast for food lovers who plan their travels around meals, not museums. Hosted by Kevin Durkee, Owner + Big Cheese of Culinary Adventure Co., this show dives fork-first into the world of food tours, incredible local bites, hidden gems, and can’t-miss culinary experiences from cities around the globe. After 15 years running food tours in Toronto - the world’s most diverse city - and taste-testing his way through 150+ food tours and culinary experiences globally, Kevin is serving up his honest reviews, spicy takes, and unforgettable bites. No fluff, no clichés - just real talk on the bites worth travelling for. Alongside his Producer + Taste Bud Christen James, Kevin explores local markets, wine bars, food halls, and back alley gems — while chatting with food tour operators, culinary insiders, and fellow travellers who live to eat. Expect 🥟 • The best food tours and culinary travel tips • Hidden gems and local food spots • Honest reviews + hot takes • Foodie stories from around the world Episodes Tuesdays 🎙️ -- Get In Touch 📩 Have a question, a foodie fact, or a delicious travel story? We want to hear it, send a voice note to hello@thiscityisdelicious.com or DM your question/comment to us on Instagram @thiscityisdelicious or visit thiscityisdelicious.com Because life’s too short for bad bites … and This City Is Delicious. If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us. If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode. And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table. Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce. Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.