So you don’t think of Canada when it comes to great cuisine?   Well, you will after this program.   The destination is Toronto-as dynamic, diverse, and delicious as nearly any city in North America.   Culinary Travels with Dave Eckert will take you inside Ontario’s capitol for a look at the chefs, markets, and culinary creations that make Toronto one of my favorite destinations.

Special Thanks:
Helen Lovekin, The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership

The town is Puerto Vallarta, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico.   But, unlike many of the other tourist Mecca’s in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta has the real feel of the country.   Puerto Vallarta also has some of the best restaurants in Mexico, and we’ll dive right in.   From the ethereal Café des Artistes, to the new and hip El Arrayan, to the always excellent Dacquiri Dicks, PV’s dining scene has never been better.   Puerto Vallarta also offers some of the best hotels and resort destinations in the country.   We’re setting our sites on the El Presidente Intercontinental.   Located a short 15 minutes from downtown, this recently upgraded gem offers everything you’d want in the way of accommodations, activities, and of course, cuisine!

Special Thanks:
Andria Mitsakos, Lucy Ruiz-Baekeland

Everyone knows of Niagara Falls, but do you know of the culinary, architectural, and cultural delights that await you just beyond the mist?   This is Southern Ontario’s Niagara Wine Country, and it is something to behold!   From world-class wineries with stunning architecture, to memorable cuisine, to the arts and all they hold, Niagara Wine Country holds surprises at every turn.   Let Culinary Travels with Dave Eckert take you there!

Special Thanks:
Helen Lovekin, The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership

If you’ve come to the Veneto, you’ve probably visited Venice and perhaps Verona.   To be sure, those are great cities, but in the Veneto, you’ve just scratched the surface.   We’ll dig a little deeper starting with the wine.   Bolla has been producing wine in the Veneto for more than 100 years, and truth be told, its wines have never been better.   We’ll learn about Soave, Valpolicella, Amarone, and pair them all up with culinary delights.   Then, on Lake Garda, we’ll take you inside one of the most spectacular Villas around, Villa Feltrinelli.   Stay, play, and by all means dine, at one of Europe’s best!

Special Thanks:
Barbara Juckett, April Gentile

It’s Cajun Country on this week’s show for a look at the people, places, and spices that form the backbone of this stick-to-your-ribs cooking.   Nothing’s more authentic than Cajun
cuisine, and no company’s more attached to the area and its food than Tony Chachere.

Founded by local native Tony Chachere in Opaslousas, Louisiana, the company has become synonymous with Cajun cooking.   We’ll sample the spices, see the fare at a local festival, and in general, whoop it up in Cajun Country!

Special Thanks:
Lisa Tumminello

If you’re a fan of the outdoors, or if you just want to see a beautiful part of the world, then this is the show for you.   About two hours north of Toronto lies Huntsville-the gateway to some of Ontario’s most beautiful land.   Here, we’ll explore the bounty of the land and water.   Area resorts offer visitors some of the finest recreation and freshest cuisine to be found.   They’ll be plenty of both with fresh local fish, farm-raised game, and in general, a sense of the special nature of this special place.

Special Thanks:
Helen Lovekin, The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership