Why You Need To Seek Out These Food Experiences Before You Die

To many people, food is so much more than one of life's necessities. Food can help to define a culture's identity and allow people to tell their own stories. Humans form emotional connections with food in ways that don't always hinge on the act of eating — like sharing food as a way to connect (via Global Gastros). As Chef Afreen, executive chef and owner of Cuisine Afreen, explained in an interview with Impakter, "As human beings, we're all one. When food is in front of us, we know what to do; we eat it. Catering to all our senses, we take a journey that explores new horizons and recalls fond memories."

Even if you don't consider yourself an ultimate foodie, you probably have your own unique connection to food. One of the best ways to tap into that special relationship is through one-of-a-kind food experiences. From trying the weirdest ice cream flavors on the menu to taking a masterclass with a world-renowned chef, you won't want to skip adding these incredible food experiences to your bucket list.

Around the world, food eating contests are a popular summer pastime for many. Indeed, many of them offer exciting prizes, including cash. Sporting News noted that the 2022 first-place winners of Coney Island's annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest were awarded $10,000. While that particular competition might offer one of the highest amounts, there are others that still give hefty sums to their contest champs, like the Thunder World Famous Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship in Trenton, New Jersey, which pays $2,000 for placing first (via Major League Eating).

Many competitive eaters insist that it's not just the good food or winning prize that convince them to take on these challenges. Apparently, pushing their bodies' limits and discovering that they can do more than they thought is a big part of it, too. Famous competitive eater Joey Chestnut tells SJ Today, "I put a lot of thought and work into figuring out my body and learning how to push it to its limits. There's a huge mental aspect of convincing my body that it can do it — that I've done this before and I can do it again — and then, through practice, finding that perfect rhythm and getting it down."

 Another competitive eater named Miki Sudo adds, "Each food is uniquely fun because they test different skill sets" (via Fansided). So, if challenging yourself is your thing, competitive eating might be the way to do it.

Have you ever wondered how Gordon Ramsay makes some of his signature dishes? Or how Roy Choi creates the sauces that elevate his meals to a higher level? Thanks to the power of the internet, you can find out — all in the comfort of your own kitchen. Whether you're an aspiring chef or a home cook who wants to learn from some of the best out there, taking a course taught by a culinary expert can help push you towards finishing your goals. 

One popular option for accessible lessons in the culinary arts is the platform Masterclass, a video-based subscription service that gives you access to all classes for a monthly or annual fee. Specifically, one of the perks of taking a Masterclass course is the ability to complete it at your own pace, so you don't have to stress about fitting it into a busy schedule. There's also Cheflix, which is similar to Masterclass but exclusively offers cooking-related classes. Cheflix subscribers can learn everything from cooking modern French cuisine to creating plant-focused meals with Dutch celebrity chef Hans van Wolde. No matter how in-depth you want to go with your classes, you'll surely learn some new cooking techniques to impress your guests with.

Fresh fruit from store produce aisles can harbor a surprising amount of bacteria, thanks to everything that comes in contact with them during the shipping and storing process (via Texas Cooperative Extension). Think about it: A customer picks up a peach to look at it and decides not to buy it, so they place it back in the bin, germs and all. One 2017 study  reported that diverse communities of bacteria exist on fresh produce, including those that can be harmful when ingested, like E. coli and salmonella (via PLoS One).

If you need a reason to skip all the shipping and storage and procure less-contaminated produce, try a pick-your-own-fruit farm. According to Michigan State University, these fruits are grown and picked straight from the farm, so the fruit comes into less contact with potential contaminants than those on store shelves. Additionally, picking your own fruit is better for the environment because it doesn't rely on big business agricultural processes. You'll also get lots of fun, Instagram-worthy photos to document your adventure. If you're game to go on a fruit-picking adventure, websites like PickYourOwn.org can be helpful in locating farms near you.

A dinner theater might sound like something from your grandparents' date nights, but you might be surprised by how entertaining they are. These types of meals are known as immersive dining experiences, which can run the gamut from murder-mystery dinners to traveling dining shows to sit-down-and-watch-while-dining events. As noted in a 2013 paper on immersive dining, the atmosphere of a restaurant can directly relate to customer satisfaction, and immersive environments offer one-of-a-kind interactivity that creates positive memories.

These unique experiences can be as interactive as you'd like them to be to make your experience fit your interests. For example, Medieval Times has become well-known for its audience participation as patrons cheer on their knights while eating a multi-course dinner. Laurie Raphael in Québec, Canada, features sit-down dining that immerses diners in Québec's culture through gourmet meals that showcases the region's history and heritage (via Afar). Immersive dining can also be a full-on sensory experience, like what you'll experience at Sublimotion in Spain. The restaurant uses lights, sound, performance art, technology, and innovative eating experiences to help patrons enjoy their food in new, innovative ways. For instance, entrance tickets are edible, and guests can take scenic tours of the world using VR headsets while they dine (via News.com.au).

Fondue has origins in Swiss culture, originally used as a way to ration bread and leftover cheese during the cold winter months (via BBC Travel). Although it began as more of an intimate family dining experience, fondue has evolved into a more communal experience as time went on, making it an ideal addition to an at-home game or movie night with your favorite people. Cooking class instructor Rachel Muenster told the Argus Leader, "It's such a fun, simple way to entertain. You get the ingredients together, and then you put your guests to work preparing their own meal."

You can get even more social by hitting a fondue spot in a nearby city or town with your closest friends. For example, Melting Pot restaurants have made their way across several states to allow diners to enjoy gourmet cheeses, entrees, and desserts through an interactive social experience that invites small to large groups to enjoy all of its offerings together. One Google Local Guide for the Columbus, Ohio area shares their Melting Pot experience: "This was an absolutely one of a kind unique experience, if you have not been to a restaurant like this. Overall, I don't know for the price that I'd come again but I have ZERO regrets getting to try this experience at least once."

Sightseeing and dining often go hand-in-hand when traveling, so why not kill two birds with one stone? You can do just that by taking part in sky-high meals, like those offered by Dinner In the Sky. The company arranges sky restaurants in some of the world's most popular cities, like Las Vegas and Monaco. Diners strap in as their tables move up, up, and away into the sky. Dinner In the Sky continuously brings its traveling events to different cities, so you can book one in your next travel destination. One Dubai traveler reviewed their experience on TripAdvisor, stating, "When I say this was a bucket list experience, I mean just that. I had an amazing time eating dinner 450 feet in the air. We ate and sang while we saw all the beautiful skyscrapers in Dubai!!!"

Other places have more stationary restaurants that give sky-high views of the cities down below, still offering exquisite sights and a one-of-a-kind dining experience. One such spot is New York City's Bar 54, which sits 54 stories above Times Square. Or, enjoy your breakfast in the sky in Wildwood, New Jersey, as you dine in a Ferris wheel over 150 feet off the ground (via The Travel). A Wildwood visitor said of their experience: "This is a truly remarkable experience that we plan to make an annual event when visiting the Jersey Shore each year. The food was wonderful, and the view was breathtaking" (via TripAdvisor).