Comments

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  Darryl Musick January 2, 2011 at 6:05pm

  Every week is a new cocktail party at The World on Wheels!  Today on The Cocktail Hour, see what we were tippling with over the holidays: http://tinyurl.com/2fl9nub
  

  The World on Wheels

  An ongoing adventure of travel and living while using a wheelchair. Tim has been disabled from birth. Darryl is his father and caregiver who travel…
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  Maralyn D Hill December 28, 2010 at 2:32am

  Three years ago, Paul Bocuse mentioned to Thomas Keller that Americans were starting to take food more seriously. He solicited Keller's help in getting competition for Bocuse d'Or from the US. The American's came in 6th in 2009. Given the amount of time spent preparing and practicing, it was a good showing. I'll be in Lyon covering Bocuse d'Or in January 2011 along with the other food competitions, and it will be interesting to see if we move up at all. I hope so. In any case, we are coming along slowly.

  I think the additions of Locovore and farmers markets are another indication of change. It just will take time.
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  Debi Lander December 28, 2010 at 2:20am

  Is it any wonder why we have so many chain restaurants?  You can eat exactly the same food all over the US and many people love that.  They prefer the known to the local eateries.  I think sad, but true.
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  Ed Wetschler December 28, 2010 at 2:12am

  Sam, I read those same numbers. Your friend probably got them from a report about a survey that was on eTurbo News, a travel newsletter.
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  Sam Scribe December 28, 2010 at 2:09am

  Jean, I got these numbers from a friend who writes guidebooks. Marilyn, your point about the growing trend with culinary tourism is quite true, but I can't help wonder what these numbers would be like if there were no Food Channel and Rachel Ray. Would only 1/3 of Americans be willing to try new things?
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  Maralyn D Hill December 28, 2010 at 1:11am

  In re-reading your post, the fact that 2/3 are willing to experience speaks to the growing trend with culinary tourism.
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  Jean Dabrowski December 28, 2010 at 1:03am

  What is your source Sam?

   

  For my part, the American travelers I'm dealing with everyday are real foodies...always ready to sign up for a local culinary activity or similar while traveling.

  Jean
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  Maralyn D Hill December 28, 2010 at 12:56am

  Sam, I agree with you, but I've witnessed it. For me, the food, wine and people of a region are the best geography lesson you can get. I enjoy the different tastes worldwide, and I've had some strange ones. Some I love and some I don't, but they are worth trying. 

  However, I been on incentive programs where after the attendees had these fantastic meals, they would go out to find a fast food haven. 

  I do believe that the Food Network and other food programs have helped Americans become more adventurous. However, it takes time.
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  Sam Scribe December 28, 2010 at 12:28am

  Last week I learned that almost two-thirds of Americans make it a point to try the local cuisine when traveling. [That's all?]  Six percent told pollsters they'd only eat cuisine with which they were familiar.

  There's more: 13% were not willing to try any local cuisine, and 18% would rather eat at an American fast food chain instead of a local restaurant.

  Do you find this as appalling as I do?
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  Darryl Musick December 26, 2010 at 5:21pm

  Today on The World on Wheels, another brand new Cocktail Hour featuring that classic drink, the Tom Collins: http://tinyurl.com/24g9e9y
  

  The World on Wheels

  An ongoing adventure of travel and living while using a wheelchair. Tim has been disabled from birth. Darryl is his father and caregiver who travel…