Bring generations together through the flavors that define us during culinary heritage travel experiences for families
By Destiny Ryan
There is no denying that multigenerational travel is on the rise, and it’s never been a better time to plan a reunion. One of the most memorable ways to spend time with loved ones is around a food-filled table, reminiscing over delectable dishes that connect us to our roots. If you’re planning a multigenerational family celebration, consider gathering at historical food destinations like New Orleans or San Antonio for exceptional culinary experiences. From mouthwatering Texas cooking classes and Southwest food markets to Lowcountry culinary tours and food festivals, these fabulous destinations bring families together through dynamic cuisine and memorable group experiences.
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HOW FOOD UNITES FAMILIES
Food connects people, and this bond transcends time. When we cook, share, and eat together, we serve a long line of ancestral heritage with every plate. Like any heirloom or artifact, recipes handed down from generation to generation are considered a significant piece of living history. There’s an inherent expression of love that food embodies. It unites us through our senses of taste and smell, a universal language that bonds older and younger generations through the teaching of family traditions, and preserves roots while promoting togetherness. This holiday season, learn how the whole family can stay connected through food-focused family reunions.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Exploring Creole Culinary Traditions Together
Looking for group-friendly activities in New Orleans? How about signing up the whole family for a fun group cooking class? Places like The Mardi Gras School of Cooking offer team-building events and courses for groups where you’ll learn how to make all sorts of traditional Louisiana soul foods, including gumbo, jambalaya, bananas foster, and more – great for making memorable connections with the family and learning more about your Creole roots through food.
Of course, there’s no visiting New Orleans without stopping by the French Quarter, popular for its walkable food tours and jazz-infused dining experiences the whole family can enjoy. A go-to cultural cuisine experience is the French Market’s Holiday Market. Groups are surrounded by Creole food and culture, where families take pleasure in all the delicious festive treats and perhaps do a little shopping for souvenirs to bring back a piece of this memorable family culinary trip. Don’t forget to dine in at one of the many outstanding New Orleans restaurants for families and enjoy the flavors of NOLA.
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – Pueblo, Spanish & Southwestern Fusions
Visit the significant cultural capital of the American Southwest, Santa Fe; take a trip down to New Mexico, a top historical food destination, and immerse yourself and the family in the city’s profound Native American and Spanish influences.
Fortunately, Santa Fe is home to one of the country’s best food markets. The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market features over 150 local farmers and artisans. You can expect to see a variety of seasonal fruits, heirloom chiles, corn, baked goods, jellies, and herbal products and soaps for personal body care. The market is open year-round, from 8 am to 1 pm every Saturday, and is the perfect place for a relaxed Southwestern cultural experience.
If you want to explore your family’s indigenous roots in more depth, visiting the local Pueblos for lessons on making traditional dishes is also a great way to learn more about your family’s heritage through food. Ascertain how your ancestors prepared food at a Naranjo home in an original Puebloan-style kitchen with garden-grown fruits and veggies like squash, chiles, and blue corn – staples for most Puebloan recipes.
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Gullah/Geechee Cuisine & Cultural Storytelling
Charleston, South Carolina, is an excellent culinary history destination. Home to a rich African heritage, Charleston is known for its Gullah Geechee cuisine, which incorporates many Lowcountry ingredients, such as seafood, freshwater fish, game, and local vegetables. The local salt marshes, tidal rivers, and fertile lands help sculpt the seafood-based culture of the people who live here. The cuisine relies heavily on stewing and other slow-cooking methods, such as pickling and fermenting. Other notable dishes are collard greens, okra, sweet potatoes, corn, and Lowcountry boils with shellfish.
Combine food, history, and walking through one of Charleston’s many food tours. A highly recommended tour is the Charleston Downtown Culinary Tour, where your group will spend 2.5 hours visiting four local restaurants, all featuring must-try flavors of Charleston. A fantastic group experience can be had at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, a perfect pairing for enjoying your ancestral foods and roots with the entire family. Each March, the Culinary Village draws thousands of foodies and families alike to The Citadel for an unforgettable food festival.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – UNESCO City of Gastronomy with Deep Mission History
You can’t talk about Texan food without mentioning Tex-Mex, Indigenous, and Spanish culinary traditions. Whether your family is from the great state of Texas or you want to learn more about your Indigenous or Hispanic roots, San Antonio, Texas, is a prime spot to experience culture-defining foods like chiles, enchiladas, fajitas, and queso.
Tamales are a Mexican holiday staple. If you are Mexican, no holiday is complete without freshly hand-made tamales. Made with masa, or corn dough, and steamed, wrapped in corn husks, tamales are very time-consuming, but the perfect food to make if you are looking for a multigenerational culinary travel idea. Come down to San Antonio, meet the lovely folks at La Gran Tamalada, learn how to make fresh masa from scratch, and master the art of folding tamale husks.
If food markets are more your style, San Antonio has a good number of weekly local markets, including Alamo Heights Farmers Market (open every Sunday) and Main Plaza Farmer’s Market (open Tuesdays 10 am – 1 pm). Both markets are family-friendly and offer a wide variety of local food delicacies, including honey and indigenous plants.
How to Build Your Family Reunion Around Culinary Heritage Travel
Planning your family reunion around food trips and culinary heritage can be tricky. However, it gives you the perfect opportunity to do research and learn more about your own culture, where you come from and how your ancestors lived. Connect all generations of your family through diverse cuisine at historical food destinations.
First, pinpoint a destination that best reflects your heritage. Where do most of your family members come from? Look into the local regional foods and recipes. Are any recipes familiar to you? Maybe there’s a story behind that. Ask the elders about the history of the family recipe – there is bound to be a story behind some of them. Look for group activities, such as cooking classes, so that family members of all ages can participate and have fun.
By blending food, travel, and storytelling, your next reunion will be more than just another family gathering; it will be a memorable multigenerational celebration of culture through delicious dishes. Unite the whole family – the tasty food is just an added perk.
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