During a Home-Hosted Dinner on our Peru: Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley adventure, veteran O.A.T. associate Kerstin Kearney came face-to-face with a local delicacy that might surprise Western visitors: guinea pig.
When it comes to travel, some of our most vivid memories are created around the dinner table. From street-side cafes to Home-Hosted Dinners, the flavors we encounter become lasting souvenirs of our journeys. We asked our veteran O.A.T. associates—each with over a decade of experience—to share their most unforgettable culinary moments from their travels. Their stories span the globe—from exotic delicacies to unexpected connections made over breaking bread.
Desert Delicacy in Mongolia
Matthew Leger, Business Analyst (Since 2011)
Who knew that camel could compete with traditional steakhouse fare? Matthew discovered this surprising truth in a vast desert expanse during our Mongolia & the Gobi Desert adventure. His verdict on the camel steak? "Delicious and not 'gamey' at all"—though he playfully credits the BBQ sauce for its contribution to the memorable meal.
A Feast of Firsts in Turkey
Ryan Whitaker, Jr. Business Agent (Since 2010)
For Ryan, the journey to dinner proved just as memorable as the meal itself. During our Turkey’s Magical Hideaways adventure, a scenic hike through Cappadocia’s famous rock formations led to a rooftop restaurant, where the group dined as the sun set over the mountains they'd just traversed. While the lamb shank entrée impressed, it was the freshly baked pita bread served with Turkish mezze that stole the show—so much so that the restaurant had to provide individual loaves for each diner when sharing proved impossible.
Italian Perfection in Verona
Joseph Stull, Training Specialist (since 1999)
Even with Italian heritage and countless plates of ziti under his belt, Joseph found his ultimate pasta experience in a small Verona café during our Northern Italy: The Alps, Dolomites & Lombardy adventure. The secret? A sublime sauce that perfectly balanced tomato and olive oil—earning even his Italian mother's seal of approval. Joseph and his son also embarked on an ice cream quest during our Crossroads of the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia adventure, which proved equally rewarding—with seven visits to the "Cacao" shop in just two days.
Croatian Home Cooking at Its Finest
Candis Piwinski, Traveler Relations Center Operations Manager (Since 2011)
After visiting the Croatian village of Karanac for a Home-Hosted Dinner during our Crossroads of the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia adventure, Candis experienced the magic of truly local cuisine. After watching their host Lilly demonstrate cheesemaking in the morning, the group was treated to a feast featuring that same fresh cheese alongside homemade sausage and bread—a meal so memorable that six years later, it still occupies her thoughts.
Sicilian Sweet Success
Gregory Palmer, VP, Photo & Print Design (Since 2012)
While Greg's adventures have included everything—from duck blood salad in Laos during our Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam adventure to mopane worms in Zimbabwe during our Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari adventure—it was Sicily that captured his culinary heart. His highlights reel from our Sicily's Ancient Landscapes & Timeless Traditions adventure includes salt-crusted whole fish, pasta con la sarde in Palermo's Vuccheria, squid-ink risotto, and a "to-die-for" pistachio croissant enjoyed in front of Cefalù's magnificent Duomo.
A Taste of Irish Hospitality
Donald Moran, Manager of .Net Development (Since 2003)
During our Irish Adventure: Dublin, Belfast & the Northwest Counties adventure, Dublin's Darkey Kelly's pub provided Donald and his wife their first—and most memorable—taste of Irish pub fare with their fish and chips. But his culinary adventures didn't stop there; in Kyoto, during our Japan’s Cultural Treasures adventure, Donald discovered the delights of Negi Tamanose style Okonomiyaki—a Japanese savory pancake topped with green onions, bonito flakes, and a perfectly cooked egg.
Peru's Unexpected Pet Dish
Kerstin Kearney, Director of Quality Assurance (Since 2011)
During a Home-Hosted Dinner in Urubamba, Peru, on our Real Affordable Peru adventure, Kerstin came face-to-face with a local delicacy that might surprise Western visitors: guinea pig. After seeing the family's collection of living guinea pigs—some 30 strong—she bravely sampled the roasted dish, served complete with a tiny pepper in its mouth. Her verdict? Like many exotic meats before it: "It tasted like chicken!"
Adventures in Exotic Eating
Josephine Sandoval, Auditor (Since 2013)
Josephine's culinary courage was tested in Southeast Asia during our Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam adventure, where she sampled dog meat in Ho Chi Minh City and tried tarantula in Cambodia—proving that sometimes the most memorable meals are the ones that push us furthest from our comfort zones.
Fishing on the Kafue
Sadie Godzina, Business Analyst (Since 2013) & Szymon Godzina, Sr. Quality Assurance Engineer (Since 2013)
For this husband-and-wife team, their most memorable meal on our Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari adventure wasn't about the flavor—it was about the catch. While exploring Zambia's Kafue River, they traded the usual game drive for fishing rods, trying their luck in the pristine waters. Both novice anglers managed to land keepers, which were later pan-fried and served at camp dinner. "While they were not the most delicious thing on the menu," Sadie recalls, "we were happy with our success all the same." Sometimes the best meals are the ones you catch yourself.
African Safari Surprises
Barbara Sirigos, Director of Grand Circle Foundation (Since 2010)
On her Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari adventure, Barbara embraced the local experience by trying mopane worms. While she may not have captured a photo of her own tasting moment, she made sure to document her friend's encounter with the unusual delicacy.
Sweet Discoveries in Sicily
Anthony Durkee, IT Project Manager (Since 2013)
During our Sicily's Ancient Landscapes & Timeless Traditions adventure, Anthony learned that sometimes, the simplest pleasures leave the strongest impressions. At I Segreti del Chiostro, tucked inside Palermo's Santa Caterina monastery, he discovered what he declares to be the world's best cannoli—proof that some of Italy's most treasured culinary experiences can be found in its most sacred places.
Breaking Barriers Over Tea in Vietnam
Deanna Dagostino, Sales (Since 2003)
Sometimes the most powerful meals aren't about the food at all. In March 2006, during our Inside Vietnam adventure, Deanna experienced a profound moment when her guide, Toh, invited the group to his family home. What began as a simple tea and dessert service transformed into an extraordinary scene of reconciliation: a Vietnam veteran from their group and Toh's father—a former Vietcong soldier—found themselves sharing laughs and embraces, bridging a decades-old divide through the universal language of hospitality.
While world travel often serves up exotic fare, our Sicily's Ancient Landscapes & Timeless Traditions adventure is known for unforgettable meals that come in more… familiar forms.
