Do you get a little giddy when you walk into a new restaurant or get to try a new type of food? Do you tailor every travel itinerary to the best restaurants around the city?
If the answers are “yes” to any of these questions, then you are my people—and this food lover’s bucket list is perfect for you.
Having been a restaurant owner for over 20 years, is the reason that my bucket list has a huge food experiences section. And I’ve picked out the best things every foodie must do:
Food Lover’s Bucket List of Ideas
1. Make a Traditional Dish From Your Heritage
Celebrate your heritage by making a traditional dish that’s been passed down through your family. Whether it’s a traditional German food like Apfelstrudel or yummy elote Mexican cuisine, cooking a dish from your heritage is a great way to connect with your roots and share your culture with others.
Personal Favorite: One of my favorite dishes from my heritage is Italian eggplant parmesan. It’s a labor of love, but it’s always worth the effort for the delicious layers of eggplant, cheese, and sauce.
2. Eat at the French Laundry
If you’re ever in Napa Valley, do yourself a favor and book a table at the French Laundry. This 3 Michelin starred place is like the holy grail for foodies—Anthony Bourdain has called it “the best restaurant in the world, period.”. It’s famous for its nine-course tasting menu that changes daily, using only the freshest ingredients. And the presentation? It’s like a work of art. Warning: it’s gonna be expensive A dinner can easily run over $400 per person.
Pro Tip: Reservations are a bit like finding a golden ticket in a chocolate bar, so keep an eye on their website and be prepared to snag a spot as soon as they’re available! This article will help: Getting reservations at Napa’s The French Laundry. Let me know if you are successful!
3. Make a Delicious Loaf of Bread
Making bread from scratch is a game-changer. The smell alone is worth the effort, and when you pull that golden loaf out of the oven, you’ll feel like you’ve just conquered the world. Plus, you can get creative with different types of flours and add-ins like herbs, cheese, or nuts.
4. Hunt for Truffles
If you’ve never gone truffle hunting, add it to your list right now! It’s like a treasure hunt for foodies. Join a guide and their trusty truffle-sniffing dogs as they search the forests for these little gems. Once you’ve tasted fresh truffles grated on top of a creamy pasta, you’ll never look at truffle oil the same way again.
Where to Go: Italy and France are both famous for their truffle hunts, but you can also find truffle tours in places like Oregon and Spain. PS: Fodor’s has rate some of the The Best Truffle Hunting Tours Around the World
5. Create Your Own Signature Cocktail
Ever dreamed of being a mixologist? It’s time to raid your liquor cabinet and start experimenting! Grab your favorite spirits, fresh herbs, and fruity mixers, and see what you can come up with. Whether it’s a twist on a popular classic cocktail or something totally new, having a signature cocktail is a must for any foodie.
I check this off my bucket in the high heat of the summer. The funnest part? Testing all the different concoctions. In the end, my signature drink was a Lemon-Basil Fizz made with prosecco, coconut rum, raspberries, basil and lemon sorbet.
6. Make Fresh Pasta
There’s something so satisfying about turning a few simple ingredients into delicious, tender pasta, and trust me, homemade pasta beats store-bought every time. One of my fondest memories as a child was helping my Italian grandmother make fresh pasta on the kitchen table—it didn’t matter what shape it was, the handmade pasta always tasted better. And guess what? It’s fairly easy to make! With just three ingredients, you can create fettuccine, pappardelle, or tagliatelle.
TIP: Love & Lemons has a simple pasta recipe you could use and if you need a pasta machine I can recommend the Marcato Atlas (that’s what I use at home!).
7. Eat Your Way Through a City’s Iconic Dishes
Every city has those must-try foods that locals rave about. Think Chicago’s deep-dish pizza, New Orleans’ beignets, or Tokyo’s Chankonabe. Plan a trip and make a list of the iconic dishes you want to try.
8. Create Your Signature Dish
What’s that one dish that always gets rave reviews when you make it? If you don’t have one yet, it’s time to find your culinary calling. Just like celebrities have their signature style and dancers have their signature moves, foodies who can cook must have their signature dish.
Whether it’s a decadent dessert or a comforting main course, having a signature dish is like your culinary fingerprint. My personal signature? curry chicken thighs with sweet potatoes and an herb salad!
9. Start an Herb Garden
Growing your own herbs is a simple way to add a little magic to your meals—there’s nothing like the taste of fresh basil, mint, or rosemary to elevate your cooking. Plus, it’s super satisfying to snip a few herbs right from your garden when you need them.
You don’t need a lot of space to start an herb garden; a sunny windowsill or a small balcony is perfect for growing herbs in pots or containers. PS: Woohome has some of the cutest pot and container ideas!
TIP: For a super easy option, just buy an herb starter kit. Home Grown makes it simple by giving you everything you need to grow eight different herbs.
10. Eat Street Food in a Different Country
Street food is where the real magic happens—it’s authentic, delicious, and often the best way to experience the local cuisine. From the bustling food stalls of Portland to the taco trucks of Mexico, street food offers a taste of a city’s soul.
11. Take a Sushi Making Class
Making sushi is like an art form, and there’s so much more to it than just rolling rice and fish. Take a sushi-making class and learn how to make beautiful and delicious sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Plus, it’s a great way to impress your friends at your next dinner party!
12. Make Ice Cream
Who doesn’t love ice cream? Making your own is a fun way to experiment with different flavors and ingredients, whether it’s classic vanilla or something more adventurous like honey lavender or spicy chocolate. The trick is to perfect the basics, then expand by adding different flavors.
After returning from Florence, I successfully replicated my favorite hazelnut-flavored gelato. Not only was it delicious, but it also brought back such fond memories.
TIP: You don’t need fancy equipment to make this treat, I use Cuisinart’s Ice-20 Automatic and it works amazingly. But, if you don’t have or want an ice cream maker, don’t worry—you can still make delicious ice cream at home with a no-churn recipe using whipped cream and condensed milk for a creamy, easy treat.
13. Learn to Grill the Perfect Steak
Grilling the perfect steak is a skill every foodie should have in their arsenal, and it was one of the hardest things I had to learn as a chef at my restaurant. Understanding different cuts of meat, choosing the best marinades and seasonings, and mastering the perfect grilling techniques can elevate your summer barbecues to a whole new level.
A crucial tip: always let your steak rest for a few minutes after grilling to allow the juices to redistribute, keeping your steak tender and juicy.
14. Extract Honey From a Beehive
Ever wondered where that sweet, golden honey comes from? Visit a local apiary and learn how to extract honey from a beehive—it’s a fascinating process that will give you a new appreciation for the hard work behind this delicious nectar. While you can easily purchase honey at stores, there’s nothing quite as impressive (or exciting) for a foodie as extracting it yourself. Thankfully, most beekeepers use a smoker to subdue the bees and provide a fashionable, full-body protective suit to wear during the process.
15. Enter a Recipe Contest
Got a killer recipe that always gets rave reviews? Why not enter it in a contest? It’s a fun way to challenge yourself, showcase your culinary skills, and who knows—you might just win a prize! Some of the most famous recipes, like the Toll House chocolate chip cookie, were discovered through recipe contests, so you could be the next big thing in the culinary world.
Whether you enter your dish in a small local competition or go online to find larger recipe contests with prizes like magazine features or big checks, this is your chance to let the world taste your secret recipe and possibly win something incredible too!
16. Learn to Shuck Oysters
Shucking oysters might seem intimidating, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze, and a great party trick to impress your friends. Ha. Find a local shucking class or just watch a YouTube video, and learn how to open these briny delicacies without losing a finger.
Quick tip: If you are going to attempt this at home, be sure to have the proper equipment. OXO Good Grips makes a great oyster shucking knife and don’t forget the cut resistant gloves!
17. Go to a Food Festival
Food festivals are like a playground for foodies. From local food trucks to gourmet chefs, there’s something for everyone.
Don’t Miss: Some of the biggest food festivals in the world include the Taste of Chicago, the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, and the Sydney Good Food & Wine Show.
18. Dine in the Dark
Dining in the dark is one of those bucket-list experiences that’ll totally change how you appreciate food. Without the distraction of sight—the room will be pitch black—you’ll focus more on the flavors, textures, and aromas of your meal, allowing each bite to come alive!
These types of restaurants are popping up all over the world, so find one close to you!
19. Create Latte Art
If you’re a coffee lover, why not take your barista skills to the next level and learn how to create latte art? From simple hearts to intricate designs, it’s a fun way to get a little creative and impress your friends.
20. Learn How to Taste Wine Properly
Smell, swirl, sip! There is so much more to tasting wine than just taking a big gulp—though I like that too! There is a special talent in checking the color, sniffing the aroma and identifying the flavor profile. The best part? You’re gonna have to taste A LOT of wine to perfect the skill.
21. Make a Gingerbread House
This one might be an essential on your baking bucket list too! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, there’s something magical about building and decorating your own gingerbread masterpiece. If you need a little inspiration, Taste of Home has some of the cutest design ideas.
22. Make a Family Recipe Book
Many times there are fond memories related to family dishes. Maybe your grandmother always made you a special chicken noodle soup when you were sick or your aunt Maria specializes in traditional Greek food and brings over the best baklava to celebrate your 18th birthday. Having these yummy memories all in one book will be the ultimate gift.
Getting Started: You can create a simple recipe book using a notebook and binder or go digital and use an online platform to design and print your book (like Shutterfly). Include photos and personal stories to make it extra special!
23. Milk a Cow By Hand
Did you know that milking a cow by hand is a skill that dates back thousands of years? Today, most dairy farms just use machines to do, but why not take it back to “old school” technique and give it a try?
24. Wade in a Cranberry Bog
Here’s the thing—cranberries are a very unique fruit because they are low-growing woody vines. When it’s time to harvest they are flooded with water and the ripe fruit floats to the top. Farmers (or you!) then enter these “bogs” to collect the cranberries.
25. Dine at a Michelin-Starred Restaurant
Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants that meet the highest standards of quality, creativity, and service. So, treat yourself to dining at one!. It’ll probably be a splurge, but it’s worth every penny for a truly unforgettable meal.
26. Experience Farm-to-Table Dining
The farm-to-table movement is gaining popularity because it’s all about featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices. All you gotta do is find a local restaurant where this is the focus!
27. Participate in a Wine Pairing Dinner
Do you have any clue what type of wine goes with what dish? Me neither! Find a restaurant that does a special dinner that perfectly pairs a varietal with a plate of deliciousness.
28. Cook a Meal Using Ingredients You’ve Grown
There’s nothing more satisfying than cooking a meal with ingredients you’ve grown yourself. Whether it’s fresh herbs, vegetables, or even eggs from your own chickens, the flavors are always more vibrant and delicious when they come from your own garden.
29. Write a Food Blog or Start a Food Instagram
If you love sharing your culinary adventures with others, why not start a food blog or Instagram account? It’s a great way to connect with other foodies, share your favorite recipes, and document your food journey. Plus, you never know where it might lead—I can’t believe all the opportunities that this blog brought me!
30. Try Escargot
If you’re feeling adventurous, give escargot a try. These tender snails are usually cooked in garlic butter and herbs, and they’re surprisingly delicious. It’s a classic French dish that’s worth trying at least once in your life.
31. Pick Fruit From a Tree and Make a Pie
There’s an art to making the perfect homemade pie. It’s all about the freshness of the fruit, creating the perfect pie crust and making it with a touch of love. Find the closest fruit tree and start picking your favorite fruit for your next masterpiece. It doesn’t matter if it’s apples, lemons or peaches — pick whatever is sure to make your mouth water.
If you are rusty on your pie making skills, this book will help: Art of the Pie: A Practical Guide to Homemade Crusts, Fillings, and Life.
32. Take a Cooking Class in a Different Country
Traveling and cooking go hand in hand, so why not combine the two and take a cooking class in a different country? Learn how to make traditional dishes from local chefs, and bring those flavors back home with you.
I’ve loved taking classes around the world— everything from making ceviche in Columbia to pierogi in Poland to making pad thai in Thailand and macarons in France!
33. Eat Something From My Weird Food Bucket List
Are you brave enough to try something truly unusual? Whether it’s fried insects, blood sausage, or strange seafood, there’s a whole world of weird and wonderfully weird foods out there waiting to be explored. Pick something for my weird food bucket list and give it a try.
34. Taste Wine Directly From The Barrel
Winemakers typically taste wine from the barrel throughout the fermentation to assess the aging process is going—and you can too. Many wineries host “barrel tasting” events where you can sample wines right from the barrel, getting a sneak peek at what’s not even available to the public yet.
35. Tour a Food Factory
Ever wonder how your favorite foods are made? Take a tour of a food factory and learn about the production process. From cheese to chocolate, there’s a factory tour out there for every food lover. Plus, you’ll get to sample some tasty treats along the way!
One of my favorite food tours was of the Jelly Belly Factory in California where you can see a rainbow of colors circulating on massive machinery. Plus, I got my favorite watermelon jelly belly’s to sample!
36. Brew Your Own Beer
With beer being the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the world, it’s no surprise that craft breweries are popping up everywhere with all sorts of uniquely named flavors. So why not try your hand at creating your own? Home brewing kits you can buy online make this a pretty easy checkmark on your list.
37. Enjoy a Progressive Dinner Night
A progressive dinner is a fun way to try different dishes at different restaurants all in one night! Start with appetizers at one place, then move on to the main course and dessert at other restaurants.
38. Go on a Food Tour in a New City
Exploring a new city? Go on a food tour! Whether you join a guided tour or make your own, you’ll discover the best local eats, from markets to food trucks.
39. Experience a Traditional Brazilian Churrascaria Restaurant
If you’re a meat lover, you have to try a Brazilian churrascaria restaurant. Waiters come to your table with skewers of different barbecue meats, and when you choose the one you want, they just slice it right onto your plate.
40. Make Your Own Cheese
Love cheese? Why not make your own? Start with something simple like mozzarella or ricotta and then experiment with different flavors
Getting Started: You can find cheese-making kits and supplies online or at specialty stores (like this Mozzarella and Ricotta Cheese Making Kit). There are also plenty of online tutorials and classes that can help you get started with cheese-making.
41. Tour a Vineyard
If you are anything like me, you like wine. A lot. But, have you ever taken the time to learn what it takes in order for you to enjoy a delicious glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Cabernet? Vineyards all over the world offer tours that will take you through the vineyards, to the barrel room, and if you’re lucky, the wine caves.
42. Recreate a Dish From a Different Country
Be it a simple Swiss fondue or a complicated French filet de bœuf en croûte, recreate a foreign dish that brings back a travel memory or inspires you.
43. Attend a Winemakers Dinner
You’ve learned how to properly taste wine, so now it’s time to take that knowledge to a winemaker’s dinner where you will be served premium wines that are specially paired with different courses of a meal. Typically, a chef and sommelier will work together to create a food and wine pairing menu that perfectly complement each other.
44. Learn About Food Photography and Styling
Love snapping pics of your food? Me too! Step up your game by learning food photography and styling. Take a class or watch some online tutorials, and your Instagram feed will be looking more delicious than ever.
45. Host a Dinner Party With a Theme
Whether it’s based on a style of cuisine, a country you visited, or even a movie, make your next dinner party extra fun by choosing a theme. I mean, who doesn’t love a good theme?
46. Dismember a Chicken
There’s an art to butchery, and dismembering a chicken is no exception. Most of us buy our poultry already in a nice neat package with the meaty breasts all in a row, but learning this skill is not only impressive, it will also could save you some. Just be sure to keep those fingers out of the way!
TIP: If you want to check this off your bucket list, Chef Eric Huang has a great video on How to Butcher a Chicken into a 10-Piece Country Cut.
47. Plan a Food Road Trip
Plan a road trip with a foodie twist! Map out a route that takes you to some of the best restaurants, markets, and farms in the area.
48. Make and Bottle Your Own Wine
If you’re into wine, why not try making your own? You can use a kit to create your own at home or work with a vineyard, many of which will help you to create the perfect blend for a small batch of vino. After it has been aged and bottled, you can even make your own cute label!
49. Make a Molecular Gastronomy Dish
Want to get super fancy in the kitchen? Try your hand at molecular gastronomy. It’s a modern cooking style that uses science to create unique and innovative dishes (like when they lift the dome lid of a dish and it smokes!).
50. Make Your Own Jam
There’s something so satisfying about making your own jam. Whether you prefer classic strawberry or something more adventurous like fig and ginger, homemade jam is always a hit. I make an amazing Kumquat-thyme jam that is used on all my charcuterie boards!
51. Taste Caviar
Caviar is one of those luxury foods that’s often reserved for fine dining and special occasions, but if you’ve never tried it, now’s your excuse to dive in! This delicacy, traditionally made from the eggs of sturgeon fish, offers a unique experience, especially when you learn about the different types and how to properly serve it.
Be Aware: Caviar can get pricey! The most expensive caviar in the world comes from the rare albino sturgeon and is called “Almas”—it can fetch up to $34,500 per kilogram!
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just starting to explore the world of culinary delights, I hope this bucket list inspires you to try something new. Will you dive into the art of making your own cheese, or maybe finally taste caviar for the first time? Let me know in the comments!
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