The World Is a Kitchen

The term "foodie" has found its way into the dictionary. Defined as "a person with a particular interest in food; a gourmet," the interest in international cuisines has increased to the point that "The Guide to Cooking Schools 2005" (Shaw Guides) devotes almost half of its 358 pages to listings of cooking classes around the world for the recreational cook. From classes at the Cordon Bleu in Paris and the CIA in New York, to a small Bed and Breakfast in Tuscany and a therapeutic spa in Arizona, it is difficult to escape from food-related travel. Guidebooks devote a hefty portion of their tomes to restaurants and cuisine, cruise ships offer culinary classes in almost every port (as well as onboard), and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain has not only a tasty travel/food book and a TV show on the Travel Channel, but a mainstream Fox TV show based on his life and love of food.