Episodes

  • PORTO: Aged Port, Buttergate + Getting Saucy with André + Paulo from Taste Porto

    PORTO: Aged Port, Buttergate + Getting Saucy with André + Paulo from Taste Porto
    Jun 2 2026
    Porto doesn’t just pour rich fortified wines … it stacks saucy sandwiches, crisps the hot dog, ages the cheese, and charges Kevin one euro for 8g of butter.In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Kevin Durkee heads to Porto, where the blue tiles shimmer above the Douro, port cellars line the river, bakeries turn out warm eggy confections, and every bite feels steeped in tradition.Kevin is joined by two voices from Taste Porto: André Apolinário, Co-Founder + CEO, and Paulo Da Rocha Nunes, the guide who led Kevin through the city one unforgettable bite at a time. It’s the boss who builds the tour and the guide who brings it to life. Delicious? Yes. Slightly dangerous? Also yes.Together, they dig into Porto’s food tour scene, what makes a truly great guest, why curiosity matters, and how meeting Anthony Bourdain made a dream come true, family memories, and human connection can make centuries-old dishes feel brand new.In this episode:🧈 Buttergate: Kevin’s most expensive butter ever🍷 Why Porto is more than port, but also absolutely port🥪 Francesinha, cachorrinho + the joy of saucy sandwiches🧀 Portuguese cheese worth building a table around🔥 Why innards deserve more love🥐 The case against pastel de nata as Portugal’s only sweet icon🍽️ Where to eat after the tour, from Gruta to Emotivo🛒 Bolhão Market, fine food shops + edible souvenirs🐟 Sardines, white port, olive oil + suitcase snacksKevin also shares one of his favourite Porto food tour discoveries, a crunchy, spicy, buttery cachorrinho at Gazella, plus the markets, shops, bottles, tins, and bites worth packing into your own Porto itinerary.Because Porto doesn’t just feed you … it pours another glass and dares you to stay for one more bite.CHAPTERS00:00 – Cold OpenAwkward questions + big dreams00:16 – Welcome to PortoKevin sets the table02:06 – CJ Hasn’t Been NorthPorto through Kevin’s eyes02:17 – Buttergate BeginsThe most-expensive butter ever04:40 – A Hotel Breakfast Worth RememberingPorto Vella magic06:20 – Mention ButterA very buttery CTA07:03 – Meet Taste PortoAndré + Paulo join08:07 – Porto Then + NowTourism, food + change08:39 – Stories That StayHuman connection matters09:41 – Great Food Tour GuestsCuriosity is everything11:54 – Why Food Before PortWine needs something to eat13:41 – Food Tour ExpectationsWhat makes the experience work14:56 – Building Better ToursResearch, planning + love16:31 – Self-Guided PortoPandemic pivots + younger travellers17:34 – The Mystery IngredientWhy surprise matters18:42 – Paulo’s Three WordsCuriosity, art + food19:09 – Finding Great GuidesPersonality over résumés20:23 – Meeting Anthony BourdainA dream come true21:45 – André’s Dream ListMore Porto to discover22:51 – Cheese, PleasePortuguese picks25:10 – Overrated PortoDuck rice gets roasted26:11 – Pastel de Nata DebateThere’s more to sweets27:38 – Underrated InnardsThe good stuff30:21 – Kevin’s Best CodGruta gets remembered31:23 – Elevated Porto EatsEmotivo + wood fire32:27 – Fast Food QuizPort, coffee + hidden gems34:44 – CJ Needs PortPost-interview pour35:01 – Portuguese Kevin?Taste Porto reflections35:36 – Food Tour SnobberyWhat Kevin looks for38:10 – Culinary BackstreetsA Porto favourite39:30 – Gazella MagicThe legendary cachorrinho43:15 – Bolhão MarketPorto’s famous food hall44:35 – A Pérola do BolhãoA fine food shop gem45:30 – Porto SouvenirsSardines, port + olive oil46:20 – Sardine StrategySkip the tourist tins47:25 – White PortThe bottle to discover48:15 – Quinta do ValladoOlive oil worth packing49:30 – Next Stop: Buenos AiresSteaks, Malbec + Dua LipaIf you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us.If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode.And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table.Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce.Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • AMMAN: Fatteh, Falafels + the Culture of Kindness with Lindsay from Amman Food Tours

    AMMAN: Fatteh, Falafels + the Culture of Kindness with Lindsay from Amman Food Tours
    May 19 2026
    Amman doesn’t just feed you … it welcomes you in.In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Kevin Durkee heads to Amman and chats with Lindsay Nieminen, Co-Founder + Owner of Amman Food Tours, (and fellow Canadian) to explore Jordan’s capital through its local souks, falafel shops, cafés, family-run restaurants, and deep culture of kindness hospitality.From why breakfast might be the most delicious way to understand Amman, to how dishes like fatteh, falafel, kofta, mansaf, and knafeh carry history, memory, and meaning, this episode is equal parts generous, delicious, and full of heart.Expect a spicy-hot take on the rise of Western-style latte culture, underrated gems like fatteh, and a reminder that in Jordan, food is never just food. It’s welcome. It’s connection. It’s “sit down, eat more” before you’ve even finished the first plate.Kevin digs into his own Amman favourites, from Rainbow Street and Souk Jara to the beautiful community restaurant Ezwitti, cardamom coffee, local spices, sticky date molasses, and edible souvenirs worth packing in your carry-on.And while this episode celebrates the food and people of Jordan, we also recognize the challenges and heartbreak across the wider region. This conversation is rooted in respect, curiosity, and the belief that sharing stories around the table still matters.In this episode:• Why Amman deserves more than a quick stopover• Lindsay’s deeply personal connection to Jordan• How Amman Food Tours became women-led and purpose-driven• Fatteh, falafel, kofta, mansaf, shawarma, knafeh, and more• Overrated latte culture and underrated local breakfasts• Female-led tourism, hospitality, and the meaning of being a guest• Rainbow Street, Souk Jara, Ezwitti, and Kevin’s favourite Amman finds• What edible souvenirs to bring home from JordanAnd, Kevin gets very honest about his Top Chef Middle East & North Africa (Season 3) man crush, why Amman needs more time on your itinerary, and how Jordanian hospitality might just feed your soul as much as your stomach.Amman … come hungry, leave welcomed.Chapters00:00 – Cold OpenTour-guide love, late-night chaos, and kabob energy00:17 – Welcome to AmmanKevin introduces the episode, Lindsay, and Jordan’s delicious capital02:29 – Kevin + CJ Talk Middle Eastern FoodFavourite dishes, big flavours, and why Amman was so exciting04:01 – Meet Lindsay NieminenTravel writer, Co-Founder of Amman Food Tours, and Jordan storyteller05:40 – Lindsay’s Jordan StoryA trip, a love story, loss, resilience, and launching Amman Food Tours07:56 – Women-Led Food ToursJumana, female guides, and why women’s voices matter in Jordanian tourism10:29 – Hospitality + EzwittiGenerosity, pay-it-forward meals, and what it means to be a guest in Jordan12:29 – Bedouin Culture + ZarbDesert traditions, pit barbecue, and food beyond Amman13:49 – What Surprises Guests MostKofta with tahini sauce and the dishes people don’t expect to love14:48 – Mansaf MattersJordan’s must-eat dish, lamb, tradition, and eating with your hands16:58 – Lindsay’s First Bite BackFatteh, crispy bread, chickpeas, toppings, and breakfast obsession17:48 – Amman’s Changing Food SceneLocal ingredients, young chefs, farm-to-table dining, and new flavours19:02 – Chef CrushesChef Ali Ghzawi, Dara Dining by Sara Aquel, and women leading Jordan’s food scene20:31 – Overrated vs Underrated• Latte culture 👀• Fatteh, the local bite more travellers need to try23:14 – The Falafel DebateJordan, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, and why fresh falafel always wins24:14 – A Perfect Food Day in AmmanHashem, falafel, hummus, fatteh, fool, mint tea, and a very full table25:35 – Lunch Outside the CityCarob House, Madaba, farm-to-table cooking, and a female chef27:10 – Afternoon SnacksStreet shawarma, falafel sandwiches, and finding the local lineup27:39 – Dinner in AmmanDara Dining, Tawaheen Al Hawa, family-style mezze, and mixed grill28:28 – Drinks with a ViewRainbow Street, rooftop bars, Jordanian wine, and the Citadel skyline29:03 – Fast Food QuizArabic coffee, hummus, tomatoes, knafeh, Bekdash, and tabbouleh31:04 – Kevin + CJ Recap AmmanFood tours, love stories, women-led tourism, and feeding the soul32:23 – Chef Ali MomentKevin’s Top Chef crush and why he needs to return to Amman33:23 – Rainbow Street + Souk JaraNightlife, cafés, grills, markets, spices, dates, figs, and local energy34:55 – Rumi Café + Middle Eastern FlavoursRose cake, saffron, pistachios, cardamom, figs, and sweet café moments36:45 – Ezwitti Deep DiveThe kindness wall, community meals, and food as support38:30 – Take-Home AmmanZa’atar, sumac, date molasses, local honey, and cardamom coffee41:51 – Final Bite + What’s NextNext stop: PortoBefore we take a big bite into this delicious episode, I wanted to acknowledge the moment we are in. At the time of this recording, there's conflict and uncertainty across the region. This episode...
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • SINGAPORE: Hawker Stalls, Michelin Stars + Cocktail Memoirs with P.S from Everyday Tour Company

    SINGAPORE: Hawker Stalls, Michelin Stars + Cocktail Memoirs with P.S from Everyday Tour Company
    May 5 2026

    Singapore doesn’t just serve food … it lives in it.

    In this episode of This City Is Delicious™, Kevin Durkee heads to Singapore and pulls up a plastic stool alongside P.S. Yeo, Founder of Everyday Tour Company, to explore the city through its hawker stalls, Michelin stars, and a deeply personal food culture.

    From why hawker centres are the heartbeat of Singapore, to how the best meals aren’t fancy - they’re familiar - this episode is equal parts delicious and deeply human.

    Expect bold takes (truffle, you’re still overrated), underrated gems like satay bee hoon, and a reminder that in Singapore, the real magic isn’t just what’s on the plate - it’s who you’re sharing it with.

    Kevin digs into his own Singapore favourites - from bustling hawker centres and morning kaya toast rituals to the markets, grocery finds, and edible souvenirs worth packing in your carry-on.

    In this episode:

    • Why hawker culture is Singapore’s soul
    • Is the Michelin Guide a good thing?
    • Underrated dishes you need to try (satay bee hoon 👀)
    • Overrated food trends (truffle, again)
    • Markets, morning rituals, and everyday food culture

    And, Kevin gets super sentimental sharing his personal family connection to the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail.

    Singapore … food isn’t an experience. It’s a way of life.

    Chapters

    00:00 – Welcome to Singapore
    Food obsession, hawker culture, daily rituals

    01:30 – Meet P.S Yeo
    Global citizen, local flavour expert

    03:45 – Why Singapore Eats Different
    Culture, routine, and real life

    06:10 – Hawker Culture Deep Dive
    Why it matters (and why it’s protected)

    09:00 – Tourist vs Local Eating
    What you should actually order

    11:30 – Overrated vs Underrated
    • Truffle everything 👀
    • Satay bee hoon (trust it)

    13:10 – Michelin Guide
    Has it helped or hurt Singapore?

    14:15 – The Dish Debate
    Can one plate define Singapore?

    17:00 – Hawker Centres to Know
    Where to go, what to eat

    20:00 – Morning Rituals
    Kaya toast + kopi culture

    22:15 – Grocery Stores & Finds
    FairPrice Xtra + everyday gems

    25:00 – Restaurant Picks
    Local favourites + standout meals

    27:30 – Kevin’s Singapore Favourites
    Hawkers, snacks, and can’t-miss bites

    30:00 – Take-Home Treats
    What to pack in your suitcase

    33:00 – Final Bite + What’s Next
    Next stop: Amman

    If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us.

    If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode.

    And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table.

    Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce.

    Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • BARCELONA: Quesos, Besos + Lots of Vermouth with Javier from Uncorked Vines

    BARCELONA: Quesos, Besos + Lots of Vermouth with Javier from Uncorked Vines
    Apr 21 2026

    Vermouth before lunch. Wine with everything. Barcelona figured it out.

    In this episode of This City Is Delicious, Host Kevin Durkee heads to Barcelona and gets tipsy with Sommelier and Uncorked Vines Founder Javier Rocafort to explore the city through wine, vermouth, and perfectly curated food experiences.

    From why European drinking culture is more social than indulgent, to how a sommelier-led tour transforms a simple bar crawl into something unforgettable — this episode is equal parts delicious and eye-opening.

    Expect bold takes (yes, pa amb tomàquet is overrated), underrated gems like morcilla, and a deep dive into vermouth culture … where “let’s grab a drink” turns into a full-blown lifestyle.

    Plus Kevin shares his own Barcelona finds — from award-winning cheeses and iconic markets to a glazed donut-shaped little legend you won’t forget.

    Because in Barcelona … the glass isn’t just part of the meal. It is the experience.

    In this episode:

    • Why Barcelona drinks differently
    • Spanish wine explained (region vs grape)
    • Vermouth culture + how to drink it properly
    • The 'Oscar' for the World's Best Cheese

    And of course, Kevin shares where to eat, his favourite markets in the city, and the bites you absolutely cannot miss, including the best Quesos + Besos he’s ever had.

    In Barcelona, every table tells a story … and every glass finishes it.

    Chapters

    00:00 – Welcome to Barcelona
    Food, wine, and why this city hits different

    01:45 – Food Tours Meet Wine Tours
    Why this experience flips the script

    03:55 – Meet Javier from Uncorked Vines
    Sommelier, storyteller, wine guide

    06:30 – Global Flavours, Local Identity
    Barcelona’s culinary mix

    08:50 – Do Europeans Just Drink More?
    Spoiler: it’s not what you think

    10:15 – Bar Crawl vs Curated Experience
    Why structure matters

    12:00 – Building the Perfect Wine Tour
    10 years of evolution

    14:45 – Wine Snob or Wine Guide?
    Fixing bad restaurant wine

    17:00 – What Guests Actually Want
    Curious drinkers, not experts

    19:30 – Overrated vs Underrated Bites
    • Pa amb tomàquet 👀
    • Morcilla (trust the process)

    22:00 – Spanish Wine 101
    Region over grape

    23:30 – Vermouth Culture Deep Dive
    “Let’s do a vermouth” explained

    27:00 – How to Drink Vermouth Properly
    Olive, orange … or nothing

    29:30 – Fast Food Quiz: Barcelona Edition
    Cava forever. Markets. Must-eats.

    33:00 – Kevin’s Barcelona Favourites
    Cheese, markets, and food finds

    36:00 – Sweet Treats + Take-Home Bites
    Boldu donuts, jamón, olive oil

    39:00 – Final Bite + What’s Next
    Next stop: Singapore

    If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us.

    If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode.

    And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table.

    Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce.

    Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • CAPE TOWN: Burgers, Boerewors + Samoosas with Rupesh from Eat Like A Local

    CAPE TOWN: Burgers, Boerewors + Samoosas with Rupesh from Eat Like A Local
    Apr 7 2026

    In this premiere episode of This City Is Delicious™, we’re taking a bite out of one of the most unforgettable and delicious food cities on the planet: Cape Town.

    Kevin and CJ kick things off by comparing their very different travel experiences in South Africa, from feeling deeply connected to the culture to chasing down the best chai latte of all time.

    Kevin chats with Rupesh Kassen, founder of Eat Like a Local, whose food tour company is on a mission to truly serve guests Cape Town tastes beyond the clichés.

    They get into everything:

    • Why Cape Town does everyone else’s food so well
    • South African wine and its place on a global table
    • The role culture, race, and history play in what ends up on your plate

    And of course, Kevin shares where to eat, his favourite markets in the city, and the bites you absolutely cannot miss (including the best samoosas he’s ever had).

    Cape Town is a complex city of story and spice, yet every bite is worth the trip.

    Chapters

    00:00 — Welcome to Cape Town
    Spice, culture, and one of the most underrated food cities on the planet.

    01:50 — CJ’s Cape Town Love Story
    Feeling seen, unforgettable bites, and that legendary chai latte.

    03:35 — Why Cape Town Hits Different
    Trade routes, bold flavours, and a city that lingers long after you leave.

    04:15 — Meet Rupesh (Eat Like a Local)
    The insider redefining Cape Town through food, stories, and community.

    05:50 — More Than a Food Tour
    How history, neighbourhoods, and flavour collide in one experience.

    07:00 — “Better Than Fine Dining?”
    Why a 4.5-hour food tour might beat your best reservation.

    08:20 — The Fynbos Experience
    Botanicals, storytelling, and Cape Town’s most unique culinary moment.

    10:10 — What Defines Cape Town Cuisine?
    A global melting pot with no single signature dish.

    11:40 — Cape Town’s Food Identity Problem
    Doing global food well… but where’s South African cuisine?

    12:30 — Overrated Bites
    Burgers. Sushi. (Yes, really.)

    14:20 — Underrated Icons
    Boerewors, fire cooking, and flavours that deserve the spotlight.

    15:50 — Snack Hacks & Local Treats
    Peppermint crisp, milk tricks, and grocery store gold.

    17:45 — Edible Souvenirs Only
    Skip the magnets. Bring home flavour.

    18:20 — Hidden Gem: Olive Branch Deli
    Tiny shop, big personality, serious food cred.

    19:30 — Rupesh Eats the World
    Asia, Mexico, and flavours shaping Cape Town.

    20:00 — Cape Town & LGBTQ+ Culture
    A city where identity blends seamlessly into everyday life.

    21:40 — Wine Country, Decoded
    Franschhoek vs. Swartland: polished vs. rebellious.

    22:40 — Food Festivals & When to Go
    Long tables, wine weekends, and seasonal bites.

    23:50 — Perfect Food Day in Cape Town
    Coffee → small plates → gelato → ramen → cocktails.

    27:15 — Rapid Fire: Cape Town Edition
    Wine, bunny chow, guilty pleasures, must-eats.

    29:15 — CJ Reacts: Best Bites Ever?
    When everything is good… what defines a country?

    30:15 — Markets You Can’t Miss
    Old Biscuit Mill + Oranjezicht = food heaven.

    33:00 — The Samosa You’ll Dream About
    Snook, cheese & corn, and one unforgettable bite.

    34:45 — What to Bring Home
    Biltong, spices, rooibos, and edible memories.

    35:45 — Next Stop: Barcelona
    Vermouth, tapas, and the next delicious city.

    If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us.

    If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode.

    And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table.

    Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce.

    Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Welcome to This City Is Delicious!

    Welcome to This City Is Delicious!
    Mar 18 2026

    Do you know that moment ... that first bite of something so good you stop talking?

    That’s the feeling we’re chasing the world.

    Welcome to This City Is Delicious - the podcast for food lovers who plan their travels around meals, not museums. Hosted by Kevin Durkee, Owner + Big Cheese of Culinary Adventure Co., this show dives fork-first into the world of food tours, incredible local bites, hidden gems, and can’t-miss culinary experiences from cities around the globe.

    After 15 years running food tours in Toronto - the world’s most diverse city - and taste-testing his way through 150+ food tours and culinary experiences globally, Kevin is serving up his honest reviews, spicy takes, and unforgettable bites.

    No fluff, no clichés - just real talk on the bites worth travelling for.

    Alongside his Producer + Taste Bud Christen James, Kevin explores local markets, wine bars, food halls, and back alley gems — while chatting with food tour operators, culinary insiders, and fellow travellers who live to eat.

    Expect 🥟
    • The best food tours and culinary travel tips
    • Hidden gems and local food spots
    • Honest reviews + hot takes
    • Foodie stories from around the world

    Episodes Tuesdays 🎙️

    --

    Get In Touch 📩

    Have a question, a foodie fact, or a delicious travel story? We want to hear it, send a voice note to hello@thiscityisdelicious.com or DM your question/comment to us on Instagram @thiscityisdelicious or visit thiscityisdelicious.com

    Because life’s too short for bad bites … and This City Is Delicious.

    If you enjoyed traveling and eating with us, make sure to follow the show so you never miss our next stop. And if you have a second, a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review goes a long way in helping more food-obsessed travelers like you find us.

    If you’re still hungry, join us on Instagram @ThisCityIsDelicious for extra bites from the road, behind-the-scenes food finds, and a few tasty surprises that didn’t make it into the episode.

    And if you know someone who plans their trips around meals not museums, share this episode with them - we’re saving them a seat at the table.

    Until our next bite together… travel well, be kind, and eat something you can’t pronounce.

    Because remember, This City Is Delicious™.
    Show More Show Less
    2 mins