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Why would a cruise line skip the hot seafood chowder in the Caribbean, then serve it on deck in Glacier Bay?  On this shared episode of BIg Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Podcast with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), host Lisa D. Smith sets sail with Emma Ciciriello, Senior Manager of Food & Beverage Product Development for Holland America Line and Seabourn, for a behind-the-scenes look at destination dining at sea. Emma explains how menus, cocktails, table settings and even a Panama hat help guests taste the place they are visiting, from Alaskan halibut and glacial ice cocktails to Caribbean rum and a global fresh fish program. We also visit Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private Bahamian island, where a new beach club is bringing an all-inclusive day on the sand. Plus: Magnolia Bakery banana pudding, baked Alaska nostalgia, Marmite versus haggis, Emma’s perfect day of eating at sea, and tips for breaking into cruise food and beverage. MORE INFO: - Holland America Line: https://www.hollandamerica.com  - IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org  - More Food, Wine & Travel podcast episodes:  https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/food-wine-travel-with-ifwtwa  - Travel, Food & Wine Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/travel-food-wine-magazine  Photos courtesy of Holland America.

Celebrate Pizza Month, Italian American Heritage Month, and Family History Month with pizza, wine, and Sicilian family stories in this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wine Time with Peggy" Podcast! Peggy Fiandaca, co-owner of Arizona's LDV Winery, starts with a fall update from the vineyard and the tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale, including a Burgundy wine talk, Petite Sirah in November, trivia night, and two new wine releases. Then she and Lisa D. Smith dive into Peggy's Italian American heritage: growing up Sicilian in Chicago, why so many Italian immigrants came to America and the discrimination they faced, and the close-knit extended family and Sunday suppers that shaped the way she cooks. Peggy shares the Sicilian pizza traditions of her childhood, a thick, rectangular, focaccia-style pizza baked in an olive-oil-slicked pan and made at home every Friday night. She also explains her Wine Term of the Month, Nero d'Avola, Sicily's flagship red, and what makes a ragù different from a Sunday sauce. Then it's time for pizza and wine pairings: what to pour with a cheesy slice, ham and pineapple, Margherita, and white pizza, plus why pizza for brunch with bubbles sounds like a great idea. LINKS & RESOURCES - Get Peggy's pizza and wine pairing tips, plus more of her Italian-style recipes: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/how-to-pair-wine-with-pizza  - Learn more about LDV Winery: https://ldvwinery.com  - Check out the "Wine & Bites" Recipe & Podcast Digital Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/fmlb  - Follow "Wine Time with Peggy" Podcast: https://wine-time-peggy.podbean.com/

It's October, and that means The Peanut Patch is open! Donna George, owner of The Peanut Patch in Yuma, Arizona, joins producer Lisa D. Smith on this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "The Peanut Patch" Podcast, to celebrate the start of the season, with fresh peanut brittle and fudge back on the counter for Yuma locals, winter visitors, and road trippers passing through. Donna shares what it takes to get the store restocked, from making peanut brittle every day to a fudge table that can hold about forty-five flavors at once. They talk pepitas and pumpkin seeds, about twenty Peanut Patch salsas for Taco Day, apple butter and preserves, sugar-free candy, and the pickled vegetables and local products on the shelves. You'll also get a look behind the storefront. Peanuts are roasted on site and ground into fresh peanut butter, and the kitchen makes brittle, clusters, and fudge, alongside Medjool dates grown in Yuma. Donna's grandson Matthew is busy freeze drying goodies too. Along the way, Lisa makes the case for real candy at Halloween, Donna and Lisa swap ideas for candy corn and peanuts, and Donna shares her twenty-nine years of owning The Peanut Patch. Her store anniversary party is Saturday, November 21, and Medjool date shakes will likely start that day. 🛒 Shop year-round: https://thepeanutpatch.com/  🎙️ The Peanut Patch Podcast (new episodes every 1st Friday): https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/the-peanut-patch-podcast  🍽️ Recipes from The Peanut Patch Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/recipes-from-the-peanut-patch

Enjoy this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wanderers Compass" Podcast! Three years after Joelle's first truffle hunt in the pouring rain with a cooking group of sixteen women, she and Ryan return to Buzet, Croatia, to sit down with Višnja Prodan Jekić of Prodan Tartufi — a family truffle business now heading into its fourth generation. It started in the 1960s, when Višnja's grandparents didn't even know what truffles were — they thought they were smelly, inedible potatoes and fed them to the pigs, until Italian traders showed them otherwise. Today, the Prodan family hunts and trains their own truffle dogs (five of them, each with their own name and personality), collects from 50-60 local hunting families every week, and ships fresh truffles worldwide — to Michelin-star restaurants like Alchemist, Noma, and Geranium in Copenhagen, and markets as far as Japan, Singapore, and Dubai. In this episode, Višnja walks through what makes Istria's climate uniquely suited to truffles, how a dog is trained from puppyhood to become a serious hunter, the real differences between black and white truffles (and why white truffles can sell for €2,000-€5,000 a kilo), how to actually cook with truffles at home without overcomplicating it, how to spot a real truffle product versus a chemical imitation, and the story behind the largest truffle her family has ever found. She also shares her own favorite way to eat them — simple scrambled eggs — and what it means to be building a new generation of this family tradition while opening the business to travelers from around the world. 🔗 Read the article: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/prodan-tartufi-istria-truffles   🔗 Learn more about Prodan Tartufi: https://prodantartufi.hr/hr/   🔗 Wanderers Compass: https://www.wandererscompass.com/   🔗 More Wanderers Compass episodes: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/wanderers-compass-podcast   🔗 Wanderers Compass Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/wanderers-compass-magazine  New episodes of the Wanderers Compass Podcast air every second Monday on Big Blend Radio.

Just 30 minutes from Portland, Tualatin Valley is Oregon's underrated wine country — home to 40+ wineries, one of the state's most ethnically diverse food scenes, tax-free shopping, and a 21-mile paved trail past a giant wooden troll.  On this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel Show," presented in partnership with the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), Sylke Neal-Finnegan, VP of Communications and PR at Explore Tualatin Valley, gives us a conversational tour of the Willamette Valley's northwest corner. Beyond the vineyards, Tualatin Valley is shaped by a 50-year-old urban growth boundary that protects farmland and keeps its wine country sustainable including some dry-farming. Sylke also digs into the region's thriving arts scene — from the Broadway Rose Theatre Company to the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts — plus year-round outdoor adventure along the Tualatin River, Hagg Lake, and the fully accessible Banks-Vernonia State Trail. It's proof that this corner of the Willamette Valley offers a lot to experience. Featured image: David Hill Vineyards & Winery, courtesy of Explore Tualatin Valley. RESOURCES LINKS: - Plan your visit: https://tualatinvalley.org/  - Learn more about IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/  - Follow the Food, Wine & Travel Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/food-wine-travel-podcast-ifwtwa  - Check out Big Blend Radio's "Travel Food & Wine: Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/travel-food-wine-magazine

Donna George of The Peanut Patch joins producer Lisa D. Smith to spice up the fall season — from the spicy side of Donna's product lineup to seasonal gift and shipping ideas as The Peanut Patch gears up for its October 1st store reopening. Then it's on to the kitchen for five recipes from The Peanut Patch's collection: Soft Ginger Peanut Butter Cookies, Ginger Date Wontons, Spicy Date Nut Loaf, Double Date Shrimp Curry, and Southwestern Grilled Salmon — plus ideas for swapping in chicken, steak, or fajitas along the way. 🛍️ Shop The Peanut Patch: https://thepeanutpatch.com  📖 Get the recipes: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/recipes-from-the-peanut-patch  🎙️ Listen to more episodes: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/the-peanut-patch-podcast

Wine culture starts long before the glass is poured — it's rooted in family, food, and the stories we carry with us. On this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wine Time with Peggy" Podcast, Peggy Fiandaca is joined by Julia Coney — writer, educator, speaker, consultant, and luxury travel advisor, and founder of Black Wine Professionals and co-founder of A Privé Journeys, a bespoke travel company specializing in curated wine and culinary experiences around the world. Julia and Peggy dig into what "wine culture" really means, why tasting rooms can feel intimidating, why local American wine deserves more space on restaurant lists, and how pairing wine with your favorite snack (Reese's peanut butter cups included) can change everything.  Julia shares the story of bringing a 30-person travel group to LDV Winery, and the episode closes with each guest's ultimate wine, meal, and movie pick — plus a very unconventional New Year's morning tradition involving bubbly and licorice. 🌐 Learn more about Julia Coney: https://juliaconey.com   🍷 Learn more about LDV Winery: https://ldvwinery.com   🍝 Get Peggy's Family Sunday Sauce recipe from this episode: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/peggy-fiandaca-family-sunday-sauce  🎧 Follow Wine Time with Peggy: https://wine-time-peggy.podbean.com/   📖 Explore Big Blend's "Wine & Bites" Digital Podcast & Recipe Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/fmlb/

Discover Shelby County, Kentucky, just east of Louisville, with Janette Marson, President and CEO of ShelbyKY Tourism, on this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). Known as the Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World, Shelby County offers an authentic Central Kentucky experience where horses, bourbon, food, farms, history, shopping and outdoor adventures come together. Janette takes us inside the region's remarkable horse culture, including more than 100 Saddlebred farms, Thoroughbred farms and the largest Icelandic horse farm in North America. We also explore the area's bourbon heritage, including Bulleit and the special mother-daughter team behind Jeptha Creed Distillery. Food is another big part of the story, from Kentucky barbecue and bourbon mash-fed livestock to Talon Winery, local restaurants, farm-to-table dining and family farms such as Mulberry Orchard and Gallrein Farm. We also talk about historic downtown Shelbyville and Simpsonville, antique shopping, family attractions, horseback riding, lakes, fishing, camping, golf, festivals and the region's growing appeal for road trippers and pet-friendly travelers. And because Shelby County is a four-season destination, Janette shares ideas for visiting throughout the year—from bourbon tours and horse farms to fall pumpkins, winter shopping and spring and summer horseback riding. - Explore Shelby County, Kentucky: https://www.visitshelbyky.com/  - Learn More About IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/  - Follow the Podcast: https://food-wine-travel.podbean.com/  - Check out the "Travel, Food & Wine" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/ekxy/#p=1

On this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel Show "with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), Amy Nesler of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau invites us to Eat Local First and discover the food, farms, producers, and sustainable traditions that make Washington's San Juan Islands so special. Beyond the spectacular scenery and outdoor adventures, the San Juan Islands offer a rich agricultural and culinary experience. Amy shares stories of family farms, heritage fruits, local wineries and cideries, sustainable seafood, farm-to-table dining, and the connections between island farmers, chefs, artisans, and visitors. We also explore the region's deep food heritage, including Coast Salish traditions, heritage agriculture, shellfish, reef-net fishing, and efforts to preserve and celebrate local foodways. The conversation highlights how choosing locally grown and produced foods can help visitors connect more meaningfully with a destination while supporting the communities they visit. Amy also shares details about Savor the San Juans, an annual celebration of local food and agriculture featuring farm tours, farm dinners, wine experiences, restaurant events, artisan producers, and opportunities to meet the people behind the food. If you're passionate about sustainable travel, farm-to-table experiences, local food, culinary adventures, and authentic community connections, this episode offers plenty of inspiration for your next San Juan Islands getaway. 👉 Visit the San Juan Islands: https://www.visitsanjuans.com/  🌐 Learn more about IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/  🌐 Follow the Food, Wine & Travel Podcast: https://food-wine-travel.podbean.com/  📰 Check out the Big Blend Radio Travel Food & Wine Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/ekxy/#p=1

Celebrate the flavors of late summer with Donna George, owner of The Peanut Patch in Yuma, Arizona, as she shares delicious ways to elevate sandwiches, charcuterie boards, brunches, and everyday meals using gourmet pickles, preserves, fruit butters, salsas, olives, local honey, and more. From peach butter and cherry butter to stuffed olives, pickled vegetables, artisan salsas, and classic peanut butter combinations, discover easy entertaining ideas and creative flavor pairings perfect for National Sandwich Month, National Peach Month, and National Goat Cheese Month. Donna also shares memories of homemade peaches, favorite sandwich combinations, charcuterie inspiration, freeze-dried ice cream updates, and simple ways to create gourmet meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Learn more about The Peanut Patch: https://thepeanutpatch.com  Listen to more episodes: https://peanut-patch.podbean.com/  Browse Donna's FREE "Wine & Bites" digital recipe magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/fmlb/

Celebrate National Peach Month with this delicious and shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Wine Time with Peggy!" Podcast. Peggy Fiandaca, co-owner of LDV Winery in Arizona, explores why peaches and wine are one of summer's most enjoyable pairings. Peggy shares vineyard updates as harvest season approaches, discusses how changing weather impacts vineyards around the world, and explains how "stone fruit" aromas and flavors naturally develop in wines like Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah, and Malbec. Learn how these fruit-forward characteristics influence wine tasting and how to pair wines with fresh peaches and seasonal dishes. Plus, Peggy shares her flavorful Peach Chutney Salsa recipe, along with creative serving ideas for grilled chicken, pork, seafood, appetizers, and summertime entertaining. 🍑 Get Peggy's Peach Chutney Salsa recipe: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/peggys-peach-chutney-salsa-recipe  🍷 Learn more about LDV Winery: https://ldvwinery.com  🎧 Follow Wine Time with Peggy: https://wine-time-peggy.podbean.com/  📖 Explore Big Blend's "Wine & Bites" Digital Podcast & Recipe Magazine featuring Peggy Fiandaca of LDV Winery, with wine pairing guides, recipes, entertaining tips, and more: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/fmlb/

Discover what's fresh for late summer with Robert Schueller of Melissa's Produce, who joins Linda Kissam, "Food, Wine & Shopping Diva," on this shared episode of Big Blend Radio's "Sip, Savor & Travel" Podcast to share seasonal produce favorites, healthy snack ideas, and creative ways to make the most of late-summer flavors. From juicy Waterloupe melons and Jelly Drop grapes to Hatch chile products, pickling vegetables, passion fruit, plums, and convenient grab-and-go snacks, this episode celebrates the abundance of the season while offering practical tips for home cooks, families, and food lovers alike. Whether you're planning a backyard gathering, packing school lunches, or simply looking for fresh culinary inspiration, you'll discover delicious ways to enjoy the harvest before autumn arrives. Learn More: 👉 Melissa's Produce: https://www.melissas.com/  👉 Read Linda's companion article, "Late Summer Foodie Finds with Melissa's Produce": https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/late-summer-foodie-finds-melissas  - Follow Linda Kissam's adventures: https://foodwinetravelchix.com/  - Explore Linda's "Sip, Savor & Travel" Digital Podcast Magazine: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/sip-savor-travel-magazine  - Listen to more episodes of Big Blend Radio's "Sip, Savor & Travel" Podcast: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/sip-savor-travel-podcast  Photos courtesy Melissas.com

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Eat, Drink & Be Merry" Show, we welcome back Chef Ivan Flowers and his wife, Tracy Phillips, for a lively "Getting to Know You" conversation that blends personal stories with practical advice on eating well without overspending. From rising grocery prices and smart shopping strategies to healthy meal planning and making the most of affordable ingredients, Chef Ivan and Tracy share simple ways to create flavorful, nutritious meals on a budget. Along the way, they talk about Chef Ivan's work teaching high school culinary students, Tracy's love of cooking and baking, favorite music, dream features for the Big Blend Media House, and the foods they'd love—or avoid—at a dinner party, making this a fun opportunity to get to know them beyond the kitchen. Whether you're feeding a family or simply looking for ways to stretch your grocery budget, you'll come away with practical cooking tips, plenty of laughs, and inspiration for your next meal. 🍽️ Featured Recipe: Chef Ivan's Budget-Friendly Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/p/cooking-smart-living-well-chef-ivan-flowers-tracy-phillips  Visit the Big Blend Media House: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/

From legendary restaurants and iconic cocktails to world-famous festivals and unforgettable culinary traditions, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) serves up A Taste of New Orleans with Mary Beth Romig, Assistant Vice President of Public Relations for New Orleans & Company Visit New Orleans  Discover why New Orleans continues to rank among America's greatest food destinations as Mary Beth shares insider tips on planning the perfect culinary getaway. Learn about historic restaurants like Antoine's and Tujague's, Michelin-recognized dining, James Beard Award-winning chefs, neighborhood food experiences, brunch culture, late-night eats, boutique hotels, and iconic cocktails like the Sazerac. The conversation also spotlights some of the city's biggest culinary celebrations, including Tales of the Cocktail, COOLinary New Orleans, French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest, Fried Chicken Festival, Creole Tomato Festival, Réveillon dining during the holidays, and many more events that showcase the city's incredible food, music, and community spirit. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning for another unforgettable adventure, this episode proves there's always something delicious waiting in New Orleans. 👉 Plan your New Orleans getaway: https://www.neworleans.com/  🌐 Learn more about IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/  🌐 Follow the Big Blend Radio "Food, Wine & Travel" Podcast: https://food-wine-travel.podbean.com/  📰 Check out the Big Blend Radio Travel Food & Wine Digital Podcast Magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/ekxy/#p=1  Photos courtesy NewOrleans.com

What makes a picnic so much more than a meal outdoors? In this shared and uplifting episode of Big Blend Radio's "Soul Diving Sunday" Show, Shelley Whizin, the "Live & Die Happy Coach," explores how picnics, family reunions, and simple gatherings in nature can strengthen relationships, celebrate loved ones, and create lasting memories. Shelley shares how food is a beautiful metaphor for life and connection, why play and laughter are essential ingredients for healthy relationships, and how celebrating our elders and family legacy enriches every generation. The conversation also highlights the healing power of nature, the joy of potlucks and shared experiences, and even the value of taking yourself on a solo picnic as an act of self-care. Whether you're planning a family reunion, gathering with friends, or simply looking for ways to reconnect with yourself, this episode is filled with practical ideas and heartfelt inspiration for celebrating life while the people you love are here. 🥪 Read Shelley's companion article & recipe: https://shelleywhizin.substack.com/p/celebrate-them-while-theyre-here  📰 Follow Shelley's Substack: https://shelleywhizin.substack.com  🌐 Visit Shelley's Website: https://www.liveanddiehappy.com/  🎙️ Listen to Shelley's Podcast: https://www.liveanddiehappy.com/podcast  🎧 More from Big Blend Radio: https://www.bigblendmediahouse.com/