Travel and food in our opinion go hand in hand, so who better to team up with to sponsor our Big Kitchen than the holiday experts at Travelsphere!

The Big Kitchen is at the heart of each BBC Good Food Show, hosting demonstrations by top UK chefs in exciting LIVE shows.

Back in June we were treated to the very best of Italian cuisine at the BBC Good Food Show Summer, where Travelsphere ambassador Penny Smith and Marcus Bean cooked up a storm of Italian delights in the Big Kitchen, including this delicious Langoustine and lemon risotto inspired by Penny’s travels to the Amalfi coast. Find the recipe here and have a go yourself.

Penny tells us more about her experiences with Travelsphere…

On a Travelsphere holiday you have the chance to try new experiences and truly immerse yourself in your chosen destination. Whether you want to take in the iconic sights of a guided tour, or go off the beaten track and discover authentic local cuisine, each trip is carefully crafted to give you the free time to explore at your leisure.
 

Our chefs are also hugely inspired by their travels; we caught up with James Martin to see how his recent American travels have influenced his cooking…

Is America somewhere you have always wanted to travel and explore for its food and cooking style? 
Like most people who travel there, they look at the East and West Coast, but Central America was a huge surprise to me, with not just amazing produce and restaurants but fantastic people and beautiful scenery. 

Did the trip change your perception about American cuisine/food? 
No, as I knew a lot of it already, but it still surprised me as I believe some of the best restaurants in the world are in America, there were parts of South America along the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans etc that were phenomenal places to visit!

Could you tell us one highlight from the trip?
One of the highlights was in Sonoma and it was a place called The Single Thread. Chefs had told me about it in the UK but it was well worth the visit and justifiably the restaurant has gone in at Two Michelin Stars after just a few months.

How would you say American food has influenced your cooking style, before and after the trip?
Travel broadens your mind and views so much, no more so than the U.S. as it is vast and because of that you have such a diverse range of produce and people.

Travelsphere’s top three destinations to discover…

There are so many incredible destinations to explore, it’s hard to pick where to visit next! For Travelsphere, there are three places which should be at the top of everyone’s list. 

Italy is the ultimate destination for any traveller, with bustling cosmopolitan cities steeped in history, rolling countryside and above all, mouth-watering food! Travelsphere are the Italian experts, offering 20 different holidays, from the secret lakes of Northern Italy to the stunning coastal town of Palermo on the island of Sicily.

As food-lovers, you’ll be spoilt for choice on any Travelsphere Italy trip, from making Limoncello in Sorento, to olive oil tasting, baking bread in Puglia or wine tasting in the secret lakes.

If you’re looking for a truly memorable adventure, look no further than the USA. Gaze at the amazing natural wonders of America’s national parks, try San Francisco’s famous clam chowder, marvel at the iconic New York skyline and grab a slice of authentic all-American apple pie.

For travellers wanting to go further afield, India is the perfect choice. Delve deeper into India’s culture and learn about its history in Rajasthan, or head to Kerala and try the flavours of Southern India when you’ll visit its fragrant spice plantations.

Coming up at our next Shows...

We can’t wait for what’s in store at our Glasgow and Birmingham winter Shows. Add a free Travelsphere session in Glasgow and discover A Taste of Italy with Eleonora Galessa on Friday 19 October. If you’re coming along to the Birmingham Show, don’t forget to add your free session – on Thursday 29 November we’re joined by Cyrus Todiwala for a Taste of India, followed by Jose Pizarro for A Taste of Spain on Friday 30 November. Plus, head to the Travelsphere stand to talk to the experts and choose your favourite destination…

For some more foodie inspiration...

In Europe you can explore Croatia, and enjoy a freshly prepared seafood lunch in Opatija. Head to Italy for wine tasting on the Amalfi Coast or try piadina flatbread in Ravenna. In the Azores you can take a tour of a traditional cheese factory, complete with a Quiejo de Pico tasting. If winter holidays are more for you, head to Norway and take part in a traditional Sami meal around the fire.

A trip to the USA is a chance to discover the traditional steakhouses of the Wild West, indulge in southern soul food in Atlanta or enjoy classic American fare in one of Salt Lake City’s diners.

In Latin America you can try zingy ceviche in Lima, have lunch on a coffee farm in Costa Rica, or discover Colombia and visit a traditional village, where you’ll prepare a meal with the locals and eat al fresco on the banks of Aguas Claras River.

Head east to Asia and take part in a cookery demonstration in Cochin, or visit a wasabi farm in Japan to see how Japanese horseradish is grown – you can even try wasabi ice-cream! Explore Vietnam and set sail on an evening cruise along the Saigon River and experience traditional food and entertainment.

If you’re hungry for more, this is just a taste of the delicious tours Travelsphere have on offer. Visit the website to find out more.

Don’t forget to add on your FREE Travelsphere session when you buy your Show tickets! Find out more here...