Travelling for a taste of place with Lisa Nguyen and Elladj Baldé

Alberta provides a feast for the senses with unforgettable culinary experiences that make it a must-visit destination for food lovers. At Travel Alberta, we encourage visitors from around the globe to come savour unique cultural dishes, get a taste of farm-to-table cuisine, or dine with countless award-winning chefs where they might have the chance to sample one (or all) of Alberta’s “seven signature ingredients.”

As defined by the World Food Travel Association, “Food tourism is the act of travelling for a taste of place in order to get a sense of place.” This connection between food and travel is undeniable, with 53 per cent of leisure travellers identifying as food enthusiasts [1]— seeking everything from local coffee shops to gourmet adventures to understand local cultures.

As the demand for travel experiences showcasing local flavours and culture continues to rise, culinary tourism offers Alberta a significant growth opportunity. As a thriving food corridor, with the second-largest total farm area in Canada, according to Statistics Canada, Alberta is well-positioned to transition from a food supplier to a premier destination for food tourism.

To help promote culinary tourism in Alberta, we invited some well-known food enthusiasts to take flavourful journeys through top restaurants across the province. From the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies to the bustling streets of Calgary, the hosts of our series One Perfect Meal explored Alberta’s world-renowned cuisine and shared why they believe food is a cornerstone of the province’s thriving visitor economy.

Keep reading to hear what they loved most about Alberta’s culinary scene, their thoughts on food tourism, and what surprised them most about Alberta.

What was something truly unique to Alberta that you witnessed or learned while filming your season?

Lisa: Learning about Alberta’s signature ingredients (beef, bison, canola, honey, red fife wheat, root vegetables and Saskatoon berries) and seeing how the chefs integrate them into their cuisine was fascinating. For example, I loved Chef Amit Bangar’s Bison Biriyani, as a unique expression of his cultural identity. 

Why do you think food significantly influences travel choices?

Elladj: I think food inherently drives travel choices because to me, it's the heart of a place. When you travel - the best way to get to know an area and dive into its culture is to taste the food. It's a gateway to meaningful conversations that truly allow you to know and immerse yourself in your destination.

The World Food Travel Association has defined food tourism as “the act of travelling for a taste of place in order to get a sense of place.” What sense of place do you think travellers will get from visiting the regions you filmed in?

Lisa: Calgary’s dining scene is always evolving, which I find so exciting! There are so many cultures converging and so much young talent bringing fresh ideas. I think visitors will feel the sense of excitement and optimism of emerging momentum in the city.

Elladj: The Rocky Mountains have so much to offer. Travellers have the opportunity to get a sense of inspiration from the breathtaking Rocky Mountains that stand so tall above the city of Banff and the cold alpine lakes of Jasper and the Rockies. Alberta has so much rich geography and nature to explore and I love how the local cuisine pays the most beautiful tribute to this.

Can you share a memorable story or interaction with one of the local chefs you worked with that stood out to you?

Lisa: My omakase experience with Chef Darren MacLean is one for the books! He’s an extraordinary chef and is always up to the neatest collaborations with chefs from around the world. Through his work, I think he’s put Alberta on the global stage, and getting the chance for a one-on-one with him is a rare opportunity. I appreciated the stories about the ingredients and the inspiration behind each dish.

What is one thing you want prospect visitors to know about Alberta’s food scene?

Lisa: In addition to the great food, get ready for the warmest hospitality. Albertans have the biggest hearts and friendliest attitude, which makes it the most charming destination (in my opinion.)

Elladj: There is so much more than just beef. While the beef in this province is absolutely exceptional, someone like me who leans towards a more plant and vegetarian focused diet has been able to experience out-of-this-world dishes that are locally sourced and beautifully executed.

Thank you to Lisa and Elladj for taking time to sit with us and chat about the delicious world of food tourism. Check out both of their season online at youtube.com/travelalberta

[1] https://www.worldfoodtravel.org/what-is-food-tourism