20 Sep 8 Bucket List Culinary Experiences Around the World
We’ve traveled the globe in search of the finest foods, the best wines and most exquisite, over-the-top culinary experiences on earth. Pack your bags, check that bucket list box and come hungry. Plan an intimate dinner for two underwater or fly private to your own private party in Spain. These meals would make even Thomas Keller clear his calendar.
32-Courses: Honolulu, Hawaii
You read that right – 32-courses, of sushi! A 10-seat omakase-style restaurant (meaning leave it up to the chef) owned by Japanese sushi master, Keiji Nakazawa serves two seatings per night at Sushi Sho, located in The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach. During this VIP-dining experience guests enjoy what feels like a never-ending feast of Edomae-style sushi, with a variety of up to 40 different types of fresh fish and varying temperatures of rice. Each course is served in the intimate setting of the sushi bar via reservations made well is advance (up to a year out during holidays). Plan your Hawaiian honeymoon or vacation around this meal and your trip will wrap with one unforgettable finale.
Under the Sea: Hurawalhi Island, Maldives
Dining under the stars is a romantic setting to say the least, but what about dining 5.8 meters under the sea? Hurawalhi Maldives, an adults-only private island resort is home to 5.8, the world’s largest all-glass underwater restaurant. Set on the coral reef of the Lhaviyani Atoll, the destination is something to marvel at even before the food! But the meal is quite memorable too. A 7-course, 3+ hour dinner that consists of local seafood delicacies and desserts will delight you while turtles, rays and an array of colorful fish keep you company. Spend the evening for two in this reverse aquarium or celebrate in this spectacular spot for an intimate event (16 lucky guests only).
Train with Top Chefs: Homer, Alaska
Open just May through September, celebrate a birthday or enjoy a family vacation in Alaska while learning to cook at Tutka Bay Lodge’s family-run cooking school. Guests create three-course meals from a selection of global menus while learning the skills and trade secrets of some of the globe’s finest chefs (all trained at Le Cordon Bleu). The best part? The 11-acre property houses its school in a 1940s crabbing boat. Guests get to experience the beauty all around while never departing from that vacation vibe. Whether you want to take a three or four-day cooking intensive or simply brush up on your skills in a class or two, expect to partake in some foraging in the wilderness, learn about local Alaskan ingredients and of course be served a selection of fine wines while you dine. This may be school, but it’s even more even fun than you had in college.
Catch and Cook: Panama
If true participation is luxury to you, then head to Panama’s Caribbean waters for a day of adventure catching yellowfin, bigeye tuna, wahoo, snapper and other local favorites before enjoying your prize catch for dinner that evening. At Sweet Bocas, guests are invited to deep sea fish, day or night, on their 30-foot motor yacht and select which of their catch to serve for dinner. The property’s in-house chef, Wilmo Ordoñez, a true culinary master, delivers fine (and of course fresh) fare prepared á la minute over a wood fire outdoors or in the villa’s premium gourmet kitchen. The setting, the presentation and the meal will be hard to beat. Dinner has never been so fresh (or fun).
DoNut Disturb: Palm Desert, California
If your staycation or bachelorette getaway takes you to the desert of Southern California, plan for a few extra calories courtesy of the JW Marriot Desert Springs Resort & Spa’s DoNut Disturb room package. The executive chef and executive pastry chef on property dispatch a 10-pound donut delivered to your room for some much-needed morning-after carbs. The 3-feet by 1-foot donut arrives dressed in millennial pink frosting, covered with candy sprinkles and edible glitter accompanied by a collection of pink milkshakes. A “DoNut Disturb” door hanger is left on your doorknob so you won’t be disturbed once your food coma sets in. Still hungry? No matter where you go, a chef’s table within the kitchen walls at fine dining restaurants throughout the globe is always a good option to elevate your evening, especially if you can’t score a reservation at these over-the-top culinary experiences.
Blend Your Own Bottle: Carmel-By-The-Sea, California
Have you ever fantasised about packing up and purchasing a vineyard to spend your days harvesting grapes and making wine? Well, now you can, for a day anyway. Carmel Valley Ranch is a 500-acre summer camp-inspired resort complete with a 4-acre vineyard ripe for the picking. Your group can take part in one of their signature events for creative competition – the Blend Your Own Bottle challenge. The goal: create your very own wine blend. The group splits up into teams of 4-8 people, and each team works together in sipping their way to a balanced blend of three grape varieties. Next: the Marketing Challenge. The vintners turn into the marketing team and design and produce a label for their bottles. They present the label to the group in a 30-second commercial. Teams are scored and awarded based on creativity, time management, following directions and having fun.
Truffle Tasting: Fiesole, Italy
Parts of Europe are primed for truffle hunting, an age-old outing in nature that reconnects you to the wilderness via a big business enterprise. If you’re off to Italy this year, stay at the grand 15th-century villa now hotel, Il Salviatino and spend a day just outside of Florence trekking their 12.5-acre grounds with their certified truffle hunter (and Edda and Maga, his mater truffle hunting pups). Black truffles grow year-round here, so plan on lots of success and a bag full of edible treasure to take back for the chefs at La Cucina del Salviatino to use to prepare a truffle tasting meal with the day’s finds. A little hard work never tasted so good.
Royal-Worthy Dining: Versailles, France
Scott Dunn USA can arrange just about any over-the-top culinary experience one can imagine (and a few you probably couldn’t). Case in point, how about a private jet to France for dinner at the Palace of Versailles? Their after-hours private dining experience includes an exclusive meal prepared by the team of Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse and is inspired by the 18th century meals of Louis XIV. Expect a few surprises along the way and a modern twist on the meal for today.