Tell us your foodie story. How did you get into cooking?

I first decided I wanted to be a chef when I was 8 years old. As a child I was incredibly non-conformist and actually quite disobedient, so my decision to become a chef was probably to rebel against my parents’ expectations of me going to university. When I was 14, my parents said I could pursue my dream as long as I had decent marks in school so that I’d have something to fall back on if cooking wasn’t for me after all. While I was still at school, I started at the Junior Chef’s Academy and enrolled at Westminster Kingsway College straight out of school. In 2007, I graduated with my Professional Chef Diploma and moved to Barcelona to begin my career. And the rest, as they say, is history…

When did you start hosting with Eatwith?

I started hosting private events on Eatwith not so long ago. As my working relationship with the Eatwith Community Team developed, it has become more and more apparent just how much potential there is for us to grow together. I’ve recently signed up to become an Eatwith Exclusive Host, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how our project Eleven98 can blossom into a real long-term partnership.

What do you love about hosting private events?

I find the main difference between hosting open dinners and private events is the dynamic at the dining table. For social dining experiences, most of the guests don’t know each other before sitting down for dinner together, but with private events, it’s generally a group of friends or colleagues celebrating a special occasion so everyone is ready to jump right in from the get-go.

What is your favorite cuisine and why?

That’s a tough one! It’s a question I’m often asked, and I frequently find myself giving a different answer depending on how I’m feeling at the time. I could probably narrow it down to three cuisines. Growing up in Hackney I was exposed to a lot of Turkish and Caribbean culture, and therefore their respective cuisines were always something I was familiar with and would eat regularly during my childhood. These two cuisines are where I seek comfort, whereas Japanese food is where I seek challenge. The sheer precision as well as the respect for their produce are two things I’ve always admired about the Japanese approach to food, and some of my most memorable eating experiences have been the most simple — a sashimi of squid and fatty tuna belly with sea urchin and ponzu sauce or a nigiri of red prawn with the tiniest dab of freshly grated wasabi. Just thinking about it is making me hungry!

What feeling do you want people to take away after tasting your food?

I want my guests to know that the meal they’ve eaten is truly unique, because the produce on the menu simply can’t be found anywhere else. There’s no other culinary experience that offers an entire tasting menu exclusively sourced from within one London borough. Every day I source produce from Hackney and collect everything personally on my bike, which not only means I get to see and speak with the producers and purveyors but also helps to reduce the carbon footprint of everything that goes onto the guests’ plates. I also try to upcycle food as much as possible — for instance, I always save any bread left over after each evening and will dehydrate it to use as breadcrumbs. Rather than compromising by using mass-produced produce, I source and preserve absolutely everything I can while it’s at its peak, and can then use pickles, fermentations, dehydrated products, jams, jellies and other preserved items all year round.

I work extremely hard to source, cultivate or forage my ingredients — so I try to convey that sense of pride and appreciation to the guests throughout the evening with little anecdotes about the story of the produce and the people who grow it. I once had a guest say to me at the end of the meal: “Wow, so that’s what tomatoes are supposed to taste like”. That’s my all-time favorite comment and that’s the feeling I want my guests to leave with.

Is there any exciting projects that you want to share with us?

On Thursday, 21 March, we’re launching a brand new dining concept, which will be open to the public on a weekly basis. The Chef’s Table is our flagship social fine dining where up to 12 guests can enjoy a truly intimate and immersive Eleven98 experience. Join us at our beautiful Hackney apartment in the heart of Lauriston Village, and take a seat at the communal table in the open kitchen and dining space so you can watch your tasting menu being prepared right in front of your eyes. You’ll be able to smell the enticing aromas of our Hackney-sourced produce from your seat! With only 12 seats at The Chef’s Table, this really is the most exclusive way to experience my Hackney cuisine!

Ready to join Aidan at The Chef’s Table? Book your seat here or check out his other upcoming events here.

The experience that takes locally sourced cuisine to a whole new level was originally published in Eatwith Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Our host Gaetano, born and raised in Naples, is passionate about sharing classic Italian cuisine with guests from all over the world. His menu is inspired by traditional Mediterranean cuisine with touches of typical Neapolitan flavors. From a pizza and pasta cooking class to a fun walking food tour with a mouthwatering meal, Gaetano is the perfect guide to Napoli cuisine and culture.

One of his signature dishes is Pomodori di Riso, which translates to rice stuffed tomatoes. With its stunning presentation and easy to serve portions, these flavorsome stuffed tomatoes are sure to become your new favorite dish.

Pomodorini di riso for 4 people

Ingredients

400 grams Carnaroli rice
300 grams tomato pulp
Celery
Carrot
150 grams spring onion
1 liter of vegetable broth (made with celery, carrot and onion)
Olive oil
Butter
Parmesan cheese
300 grams tomato sauce
2.5 grams agar agar powder
Fresh tomatoes
Basil sprouts
Stale bread
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
Pepper

Method

Risotto with tomato sauce:
Cut celery, carrot and spring onion into pieces and put it all in a pot. Add in tomato pulp and olive oil.

Turn on low heat and cook for an hour.

Use a blender to mix and let it shimmer for a few minutes more.

Add a pinch of salt.

Heat the rice grains in a large saucepan until translucent and then add the first ladle of vegetable stock.

Cook over a medium heat and keep stirring until all the stock is absorbed, add the tomato while stirring.

Repeat until all the stock has been used and the risotto is thick and glossy.

Add parmesan cheese, butter, a teaspoon of turmeric and a sprinkling of pepper.

Let it rest and cool for a few minutes.

Rice balls:

Wet your hands with water so that the rice won’t stick. Form a rice ball, then put a toothpick in each ball and lay it on a saucer.

Once you finish rolling the rice balls, put them in the freezer until they’re semi-frozen, then take them out.

Now it is time to prepare the tomato jelly to coat the rice balls so that they look like real tomatoes!

Tomato jelly:

Pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan and add the agar agar powder.

Put the saucepan on the stove and bring the gelatin to boil, then turn off the heat and pour the jelly into a cup suitable for dipping the balls.

Dip the rice balls in the jelly by holding the toothpick and shaking them to get the excess gelatine down. The agar in contact with the cold will solidify almost immediately.

Once all the balls have been covered with jelly, remove the toothpicks and place the tomatoes on a saucer.

Pick a cherry tomato leaf and cover the hole on your new tomatoes.

Crush the bread crusts to make breadcrumbs. In a pan, add olive oil and breadcrumbs, stir until it turns brown.

Serving

Put a layer of cooked breadcrumbs on the plate, place the tomatoes on top and add some fresh basil leaves.

Recommended drink

In general, acidic dishes like tomato are perfect to pair with young white wines with light, soft, fruity or floral accents.

Next time you’re in Naples, make sure you check out Gaetano’s Eatwith experiences. Learn to make pizza or pasta like a true Italian at his cooking class, eat your way through Naples on a half day food tour, and discover traditional Neapolitan delights in his beautiful apartment.

Discover our other host recipes here.

Host recipe: Gaetano’s Pomodorini di Riso (rice stuffed tomatoes) was originally published in Eatwith Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

There’s no doubt about it, our co-founder and COO Camille Rumani is a real life wonder woman. After creating Eatwith (then VizEat) in 2014, Camille has taken Eatwith to become the world’s largest culinary experiences platform in just a few short years. She has gone from starting from scratch and learning to code in her apartment to leading a talented team of 45 full-time staff in six cities worldwide and continues to develop new features and opportunities to bring people together through food. This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to introduce you to the woman behind the Eatwith you know and love!

Why did you start Eatwith?

My co-founder Jean-Michel Petit and I created Eatwith five years ago while on a trip abroad. We were traveling in cities where millions of people were living but we never actually met any of them. We felt very disconnected from the places and the cultures we were visiting so we wanted to create a platform to facilitate the connection between travelers and locals by serving up great food and great company in an intimate atmosphere.

What advice would you give other aspiring women entrepreneurs?

The advice that I would give to other women entrepreneurs is to really get your hands dirty. When you’re a woman, especially in tech industry, people don’t expect you to know exactly what you’re talking about, whether it’s code, programming or other complicated technological subjects. When I first started, I took a lot of tech and coding classes and tried every possible way to have a deep understanding of my product. For example, I would go and meet my users, use the product myself, and really put myself in a user’s shoes. I was also a host and I continue to host every now and again, and I attend lots of different events to improve the quality of my product. It’s really important to grasp every detail from A to Z and to know what you want to achieve with your platform.

How does Eatwith empower women in and out of the kitchen?

I think Eatwith truly empowers women because it helps them tell their stories about who they are, what they want to achieve, their culture and tradition, and their abilities and creativity. Being a part of Eatwith community helps them spread these stories and messages to people from all around the world who come to dine at their tables. I think Eatwith has done a good job in making women more confident and empowering them to do what they love and go after their dreams.

What are you most proud of?

It has been five years since we founded the company and my Eatwith team is what I’m proud of the most. We are a team of 45 people from 17 different nationalities in six different countries, coming from all backgrounds and cultures. For me it’s definitely a great achievement and I’m super happy to share this success with them.

What will you be doing for International Women’s Day?

I will be celebrating International Women’s Day with my team at Eatwith and also with my friends. We will be enjoying a good glass of red wine and discussing our next projects and what we want to achieve this year!

Feeling inspired? Check out some of our top women hosts who are pursuing their passions and book your seat to dine at their table.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to discover more incredible Eatwith experiences!

Co-Founder Camille Rumani’s own Eatwith story was originally published in Eatwith Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

What have you always dreamed of doing?

Want to learn to dance flamenco like a true Sevillano? Dream of exploring Bangkok in a long-tail boat? Or perhaps, for any GOT fans out there, watch the sun set over King’s Landing with a royal feast (after all, April is coming)…

Turn your dreams into reality with our selection of incredible, awe-inspiring, extraordinary, wow-worthy experiences that you’ll remember long after you’ve arrived back home.

Foodie tour & private boat ride in Bangkok

Hop in a tuk tuk and try some Thai delicacies before floating down the Chao Phraya River in a colorful long-tail boat.

Book your seat here.

Join the girl gang bikies in Ho Chi Minh

Rev up and ride around the city with these local girls. Stop in hidden alleyways and feast on the best Vietnamese street food.

Book your seat here.

Learn Seville specialties and flamenco

Make typical Seville dishes then put on your dancing shoes with host Mahsa, a professional Flamenco dancer!

Book your seat here.

Al fresco cooking in Florence

Eat, drink and cook organic, homemade Italian delights in a charming garden nestled in the Florentine Hills.

Book your seat here.

Gourmet Game of Thrones picnic with a view

Your private guide will take you to a secret viewpoint to watch the sun set over Dubrovnik with local Croatian delicacies.

Book your seat here.

Dinner in a sculptor’s studio

Barcelona host Pablo serves up a creative cocktail party where you can also try your hand at welding your own masterpiece!

Book your seat here.

Looking for something else? We have over 4000 experiences available on eatwith.com. Who will you Eatwith next?

6 experiences guaranteed to give you wanderlust was originally published in Eatwith Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Italy has been long famous for its stunning scenery, unique culture, and gastronomical delights which are more than just pizza and spaghetti. For Italians, cooking and sharing food is a way of life and our host Stefano is no exception. Stefano, who was born and raised in Rome, has welcomed people from all over the world to his home, including one very special couple which led to a lifelong friendship and all-expenses-paid trip across the Atlantic!

Read on to discover Stefano’s story and find out more about his once-in-a-lifetime adventure with Eatwith.

Tell us your foodie story. How did you become a host on Eatwith?

I’ve always loved working in an international environment and meeting interesting people from different backgrounds and cultures. Before hosting on Eatwith, I had been working in the hospitality industry, especially catering and bars, for 20 years in London, Dubai and other fancy places around the globe. When I went back home to Rome, I came across Eatwith — and I knew immediately that it was the perfect platform for me. It allows me to continue doing what I’m good at and to meet people from all over the world. With Eatwith, I can welcome them to my humble home in Rome and take them on an exciting adventure to discover authentic Italian cuisine.

What is the best part about hosting events on Eatwith?

As a host, I have the opportunity to get to know inspiring people and discover their cultures. In this sense, Eatwith is actually quite similar to my previous career! When I was working as a bartender, I met so many people from different parts of the world and mastered the skill of interacting with them according to their cultures — this is something that is really fascinating for me. Hosting culinary experiences on Eatwith is like moving from the bar to my home!

What is the craziest thing that has happened at one of your events?

Last summer I hosted a lovely couple from San Francisco who were travelling to Rome. I take pride in preparing a typical four-course Roman menu including various starters such as cold cuts, local cheese, olives and savoury pies; first course was fusilli with broccoli, sausages and pecorino; the main course was my famous saltimbocca, and then we finished with panna cotta and raspberry jam as dessert.

We all had a really great time together. During dinner, they kept saying how delicious the food was and we were soon talking as though we were lifelong friends. As they were leaving, Emma invited me to join them in December for her husband’s birthday party and asked if I could cook for her guests… in San Francisco!

At first I thought that it was the Aperol Spritz talking but two days later they texted me: “Would you be available to fly to San Francisco on December 8th? We’re looking for flights and we have our card ready in hand!”

What happened next?

I accepted their invitation to San Francisco and brought all my Italian vibes with me! The menu for the party included bruschette, fagioli all’uccelletta (beans and sausages), bresaola, rocket salad, grana, parmesan and pecorino as starters; I served them pasta with amatriciana sauce as first course; and as main course, my legendary saltimbocca but this time for 50 people! We finished off with tiramisu and, of course, Aperol Spritz all night long.

It certainly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I made several new friends after the party and we still keep in touch today. I’m actually going to see them again in Rome this June!

Want to taste Stefano’s intercontinental menu? Check out his upcoming events here.

The Italian dinner that took Stefano from Rome to San Francisco was originally published in Eatwith Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Here at Eatwith, we have tens of thousands of amazing hosts who are part of our Eatwith community, including some prolific female hosts who are paving the way for women in the culinary arts. Our hosts come from all walks of life, from a Japanese home chef whipping up French fusion cuisine to a cookbook author in Los Angeles who draws on her Greek roots. Scroll down to pull up a seat at their tables.

Meet Tomok in Tokyo, Japan

When she was 19, Tomok visited France for the first time and was absolutely blown away by French women: independent, autonomous, outstanding and totally charming; a stark contrast to Japanese women’s situations at the time. That image has stuck with Tomok and is a source of inspiration in her life today. Now back in her native Tokyo, Tomok hopes to share her country’s intricate cuisine and culture by hosting on Eatwith and has met lots of other inspiring women from all over the world.

For Tomok, Eatwith opens the door to opportunities and possibilities which are not yet accessible in her homeland. In Japan, the majority of professional kitchens are still run by men and there are considerably fewer chances for women to become chefs in their own right. Tomok is looking forward to a brighter future for the hospitality industry where talent isn’t limited to gender.

Ready to find out more about Tomok? Book your seat at her Tokyo table here.

Meet Valeria in Naples, Italy

For Valeria, her mother and her never-ending enthusiasm for life is her biggest source of motivation, with Valeria crediting her mother as the person who inspired her to become a chef. From her mother’s traditional recipes to her more modern dishes, Valeria has fond memories of all the delicious meals they shared together, which guests can now savor at her Eatwith experiences. However, it’s not only Valeria’s mother, but also every single woman who has joined her table who inspire Valeria every day and gives her the encouragement to continue doing what she loves.

As a woman, Eatwith empowers Valeria by giving her the opportunity to show that everything is possible when you have the right tools and the right energy. She continues to believe that there is no real difference between men and women in the culinary world and that women are completely capable of excelling in an industry known to be tough and male-dominated.

Book your seat to try Valeria’s delicious Italian delights here.

Meet Christina in Los Angeles, U.S.A

The strongest women Christina has ever known are her grandmothers, who helped her build a solid foundation both in and out of the kitchen. Christina is now a professional chef, cookbook author and journalist based in Los Angeles, California, and became a host on Eatwith to share her love of cooking and Greek cuisine with new people. Thanks to her experiences, Christina has had the opportunity to dine with many other inspiring women — successful doctors, restaurateurs, publicists, publishers… the list goes on!

Christina is happy to be a woman in the culinary industry forging her own way. She strongly believes that women in her field are starting to get the recognition they deserve regardless of who they are. “I hope that trend grows exponentially, and women keep helping other women,” she says.

Eatwith Christina and discover more about her story here.

Meet Francesca in Florence, Italy

Inspired by her love for Italian culture and her passion for its cuisine, Francesca decided to become a host on Eatwith to help spread that enthusiasm to guests from all around the world. She continues to host events because of the positive energy, support and motivation that she receives as part of the Eatwith community.

Aside from hosting Eatwith events, Francesca is writing a book about how cuisine and food plays an indispensable part in cultural integration. She draws on her interactions with each and every guest she invites to her table as material for her upcoming book. Her wish for all the women out there? To do what they love and follow their own path, no matter what. Her motto is simple: “Do not waste your time and try to achieve happiness, it is all about the little things.”

Join Francesca’s table in Florence here.

Meet Linda in New York, U.S.A

For as long as she remembers, Linda has been inspired by her fearless grandmother. Her grandmother’s story is certainly motivating: she overcame the challenges of living in a patriarchal society where women were not expected to accomplish much to become a successful entrepreneur with a thriving business. Linda’s grandmother also raised her, taught her to be independent, and now supports her entrepreneurial spirit. Linda believes she has inherited her courageous spirit from her grandmother, and tries to always support women in the culinary arts to create a future full of more and more women restaurateurs and professionally recognized chefs.

Linda joined Eatwith as a host and takes pride in introducing African cuisine and culture to a new audience. Being a part of the Eatwith community reminds Linda to conquer her fear of coming off as “bossy” or “arrogant”. She has learnt that being confident isn’t the same as being haughty. If she could tell women one thing, it would be: “Don’t be afraid to disturb the status quo.”

Want to taste Linda’s traditional African cuisine in New York?? Book your seat here.

And you? Who is the most inspiring woman you know? Comment below and let us know!

For more stories from around the table, check out our Tastemakers blog.

5 of our most incredible, inspiring women hosts was originally published in Eatwith Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

These two lovers take pride in making South Africa’s cuisine and culture known in the U.S.

A fateful encounter

It happened on a random Monday evening. Lucinda and Jackie met at a wine bar in Astoria and, as they say, the rest is history. While they both have successful careers outside of the kitchen — Jackie works in hospitality and Lucinda in fashion — together, the couple loves to open their home to guests and take them on an authentic culinary journey to South Africa. Jackie enjoys seeing Lucinda (who is from South Africa) share her cuisine and culture, while Lucinda appreciates Jackie’s outgoing nature and tender approach towards guests so they always feel at home.

A passion for the Rainbow Nation

Lucinda and Jackie are passionate about introducing South African cuisine to people in the U.S. who’ve never had the opportunity to visit the Rainbow Nation. For Lucinda, the love for her country is evident in every smell and bite that instantly transports people her homeland. One of Lucinda’s favorite dishes to make is “bobotie” — a traditional dish consisting of beef mince, Cape Malay spices, and raisins, topped with an egg custard. It’s a hearty and comforting dish that has left her guests with a lasting impression.

When you arrive at Lucinda and Jackie’s home, you’ll be greeted with an enthusiastic “howzit” and a delicious welcome cocktail. You’ll have a chance to mingle with other guests and snacking on “droewors and biltong”, the South African version of dried sausage and beef jerky. In the background, there will be Afrikaans, English, Xhosa and Zulu tunes playing. Lucinda takes great pleasure in explaining the history behind every dish and answering any questions about South Africa. Every experience at Lucinda and Jackie’s is full of extraordinary delicacies, sprinkled with lively conversation.

A cultural experience you’ll remember forever

Lucinda had always dreamed of introducing this unique fusion of South African cuisine and becoming an Eatwith host has allowed her to do just that. Lucinda and Jackie started hosting with Eatwith in August 2018. Since then, they’ve welcomed countless strangers, many who later become friends, from all over the world. They are committed to creating an experience where their guests leave feeling they’ve experienced a small piece of the Rainbow Nation, not only through the spectacular dishes but also through learning about its history and culture.

Ready to join Lucinda & Jackie’s adventure to South Africa — the land of hope? Check out their upcoming events here.

If you haven’t planned anything for your significant other this Valentine’s Day, we have some last minute #Eatwithlove deals that you won’t want to miss!

Lucinda & Jackie: Girl power takes over Astoria was originally published in Eatwith Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

It all started with a broken leg…

Debora had been working as a lawyer for years before a serious accident left her with a broken leg. But the bad luck unfortunately didn’t seem to stop there when the anesthesia went terribly wrong during her medical procedure. Debora finally ended up spending 8 months at home and losing all of her clients. Yet despite the hardships and challenges she went through, Debora remained positive and motivated. She decided to overcome adversity by giving herself, as well as her career, a fresh start by hosting social dining events on Eatwith. Meanwhile, Debora’s daughter Fiamma had just graduated from high school. She decided to take a break before pursuing a higher degree in Management and joined Debora on her culinary adventures. Today, this mother-daughter duo in Rome are the ultimate team known for their constantly cheerful smiles as they welcome guests to their cozy home.

The perfect Roman hosts

In an ancient and historical neighborhood up on the top of Janiculum Hill, you’ll find Debora and Fiamma’s home where they turn their elegant living room and lovely terrace with stunning views of the famous Piazza Venezia into the perfect location for unique Eatwith events. They are committed to welcoming their guests to a wonderful setting and offering an exclusive culinary adventure — a combination of authentic traditional cuisine, intimate ambiance, and charming local hosts with countless of tips and stories about the Eternal City. Debora and Fiamma are absolutely passionate about transforming their guests’ experiences into a memory they will cherish forever.

Sharing the Eatwith love!

For Debora and Fiamma, life is all about give and take. These two food-loving hosts throw themselves into creating the best Eatwith experience possible for their guests, and in return, they meet people from around the globe, listen to their individual stories and learn about different cultures. They are particularly interested in couples and their love stories: how they met, how they fell in love, the good times, and the bad. One thing that Debora and Fiamma have learned from all these stories is that destiny definitely plays a part in bringing people together… as does good food!

One of Debora and Fiamma’s favorite stories happened during their blindfolded experience. One of the guests wanted to propose to his girlfriend so he gave Debora a small box with a ring inside to pass to his girlfriend when it was her turn to guess the object. At first, she couldn’t figure it but when she finally opened her eyes, she was overcome with emotion! It was a very touching and romantic moment, and something Debora and Fiamma will never forget. Oh, and the girl said yes, of course!

Family ties bind closer than ever

For Debora, the best thing about hosting with her daughter Fiamma is the teamwork; they understand everything that is going on just with one look. They both have their own roles to play: one of them will stay in the kitchen preparing the food, while the other makes the guests feel welcome at the table, and vice versa. Debora and Fiamma are not only mother and daughter but also best friends, teammates, and one of our top hosts in Rome! Together, they make a perfect team and bring out the best in each other.

Ready to enjoy Debora and Fiamma at their home full of love and laughter? Check out their upcoming events here or learn to make tiramisu for your loved ones this Valentine’s with their timeless family recipe.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, don’t miss these exclusive #Eatwithlove experiences we’ve hand-picked especially for you!

Debora & Fiamma: Like mother, like daughter! was originally published in Eatwith Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Outside of Thailand, when you think of Thai cuisine, you’re likely thinking about the mainstream dishes that come from the central part of the country. In Central Thailand, coconut milk is a staple ingredient. But in Northern Thailand, the landscape is mountainous and forested. Coconut trees don’t grow in the region and the dishes are characterized as more plant-based and earthy.

This is the cuisine New York City host Andrzej wants to introduce to his guests. It’s Thai food like you’ve probably never had, and it’s his favorite to cook. Read on to learn more about Andrezej and what to expect at his Northern Thai Feast or click here to book your seat!

Tell us your foodie story. How did you get into cooking and why is it important to you?

It was actually my mom that got me into cooking. I was born in Poland during the ’80s so food was dull. It wasn’t really a fault of Polish cuisine, which I love, but it had more to do with the political ideology at the time. Eventually, my family moved from Poland to South Africa and food suddenly became extremely exciting! My mom went nuts discovering new fruit, herbs, and spices. She started cooking amazing dishes! She infused me with her excitement for interesting and beautiful ingredients and it’s a passion that stayed with me to this day.

When did you start hosting with Eatwith?
I started hosting in 2018 and now have 4 experiences online.

What is your favorite cuisine and why?

It’s really difficult to pick a favorite cuisine. If I had to narrow it down to one, I would say Northern Thai food! It’s not the Thai food that most of us know. I was first introduced to it in Elmhurst, Queens. I ordered a green papaya salad with salted crab and had one of the spiciest but also the most delicious dishes of my life! Northern Thai food is spicy, funky, earthy and beautiful. At my experiences, I love being able to show people a slightly different side to Thai cuisine.

My favorite dish to make is Nam Khao Tod. This dish uses day old, cooked jasmine rice that is marinated with homemade curry paste. It’s then deep-fried to make savory, delicious rice crispy pops. It’s very versatile and can be served with an assortment of sauces, fresh chilies, lemongrass, sausage, and aromatic herbs. Think of it like a salad where the crispy croutons are the star ingredient.

Tell us about your Eatwith experience. What are you most excited about? Do you have any dinner party rituals?

What excites me most about hosting an Eatwith experience is sharing my love for cooking with others. We live in New York so people don’t really cook much at home. There’s something about a home-cooked meal that you just can’t replicate in a restaurant and it’s that ease and comfort that comes with home-cooking that I try to bring into my experiences. My wife, Lieu, always makes the playlists for our Eatwith dinners and she has a gift for selecting the right music to match the mood. Eatwith is not only about the dishes. It’s also about the experience and music is a big part of that. At the end of the day, we always try to make everyone feel super comfortable. People always say they leave our home feeling like they just went over to a friend’s place.

If you could host a special guest (dead or alive) who would you invite to your table?

If I could invite someone to my table, it would be my grandmother. She stayed in Poland and passed away last year. I would really love to share with her all the awesome flavors that I have encountered throughout my life.

What feeling do you want people to take away after they’ve tasted your cooking?

I want my guests and new friends to leave feeling inspired by the food they’ve just consumed, with full stomachs and big smiles.

Ready to join host Andrzej’s table? Check out his upcoming events here.

The Homecooked Meal You Need to Try in New York City was originally published in Eatwith Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

An international love affair

He’s from Veneto, Italy; she’s from Melbourne, Australia. Eight years ago they both left their homelands and headed for Spain in search of new experiences and adventures. Arriving in Barcelona, Alberto worked as a baker at an Italian café while Ella honed her skills, working odd jobs in the kitchen, as a nanny, acting, drama and teaching theatre. Two years later, they both found their passion for hosting culinary events and joined Eatwith when it started. Alberto soon became famous for his epic seafood nights and Ella charmed guests with her lavish vegetarian banquets. It was only a matter of time before these two hosts would meet! Alberto was a guest at one of Ella’s Eatwith events and they hit it off immediately. They soon moved into an apartment together in the historic heart of Barcelona and combined their culinary talents to welcome guests to their table filled with love and laughter.

A shared passion for sustainable food

Ella and Alberto are dedicated to offering a variety of locally grown and gathered food experiences, from underground dining to customized tours and workshops. Not only do they run each event with love and care, but they also pay close attention to sustainability. Seasonally, locally sourced ingredients are at the heart of their project, and they have managed to nurture long-lasting relationships with nearby farmers and producers who share their passion for honest food. Their dishes are simple, yet fresh, organic when possible, and, most importantly, come from the heart.

What they love about Eatwith

After two years hosting in their apartment, they opened their own collaborative space in Raval Espai EGG where they have room to welcome larger groups and organize hands-on cooking classes, while still maintaining the intimacy of home dining. As hosts, their favorite part of the whole Eatwith experience is watching guests enjoy their food. For them, seeing guests taking delight in tasting their dishes, observing their expressions and responding to their questions about recipes and ingredients bring a great deal of joy and fulfillment. They’re definitely in their element when it comes to hosting culinary events and connecting people from all over the world. Though holding events can get overwhelming and exhausting at times, seeing guests leaving fulfilled and happy is worth all the effort.

Ella and Alberto’s most special hosting memories are always the holiday dinners. Being so far away from their native homes and families has its trials but it also comes with unexpected joys. Spending Christmas Eve dinner eating with people around the world, bringing people together regardless of their origins, cultures, ages and genders truly adds the magic to the festive season and helps them with the nostalgia for their homelands.

Ready to enjoy Ella and Alberto’s lovingly-created, sustainable feasts? Check out their upcoming events here.

Read our Amsterdam hosts Martine and Olav’s starstruck story here, and stay tuned for more #EatwithLove stories to come!

Ella & Alberto: A true #EatwithLove story! was originally published in Eatwith Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.