A lot of who I am and what I love have to do with food and travel - finding all the ways we’re similar in spite of how we’re different. I especially love what I see and learn on the plate— from soaking up produce in colorful markets to finding myself while documenting history, heritage and legacy to celebration of local produce and flavors; to the creativity that comes with being free (and confident) to express myself; and the deliciousness that’s the result.
Being able to explore the world and travel with confidence, sometimes by plate, other times on my couch, alone, with family, on this journey where I’m constantly encountering new places and cities and need help navigating is why the Local Guides program is important to me - it’s a travel companion par excellence.
Without meeting or knowing the guides, you find kinship in a great curry wurst in Berlin, you have all the facts and figures to choose between two liquid Nitrogen ice cream spots on Queens street in Toronto - or not, even to go to both, of course; a home brew store in Philly when you can’t find one in Manhattan and everything in between.
When I think about it, Local guides are some of the most giving, empathetic, courageous people on the planet. They brave the stares of strangers, the looks of confusion when they sometimes adopt awkward poses to get the angles just right. They dig up just the right words to capture the beauty of what they’ve seen - or horror and in that frankness share it, caveats, high notes and all, they equip us with all the tools we need to make and own our decisions, save us from making their mistakes, get us to experience the exhilaration and introduce us to new worlds, new experiences. They give of their time, their data (especially in countries where it isn’t cheap to be connected) and their humanity that we might find comfort, friendship, good food, joy, great design, architecture and importantly confidence as we journey through the world.
I love seeing how much people find my photos and reviews helpful - that I’m able to share something that helps manage their expectations/ give them something to look forward to. In the last year, I’ve had over 10 million views of the 9000+ photos that I’ve uploaded. It’s great that not only do I enjoy photography but I get a chance to share that love with others.
One of the most memorable moments for me as a local guide was speaking at a Connect Live series in Lagos, Nigeria where a 100 top Local Guides convened. I shared tips on taking photos from using patterns to composition and more. During the reception, I shared some food photography and styling tips which were well received. Quite a few local guides reached out afterwards to share some of their food photos, inspired by what they’d learned during the session. I also learned a lot from the other local guides - those who shared their passion for accessibility, and a local guide who was trying to document as many hospital and health centres as possible in Lagos and around Nigeria. This showed me that behind the restaurant reviews and tourist places, there are other objectives with far reaching consequences and potential for impact.
Local guides - my free, value-added guidebook and trusted travel companion, thank you.