090: The Hidden Table: What This International Chef Learned In The World’s Most Unexpected Kitchens Transform With Travel: Trip Planning Made Easy For Busy Professionals Craving Bucket List Adventures podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by world-traveling chef, author, and storyteller Shannon Smith—creator of The Hidden Table—for a soul-stirring journey through food, culture, and the power of saying yes to curiosity.

But don’t expect a list of top restaurants or travel hacks.

From hidden kitchens in Morocco to salt pans in Mexico, Shannon opens up about what it means to connect with humanity—one conversation, one handmade dish, one unexpected invitation at a time.

We explore how embracing spontaneity, discomfort, and unfamiliar flavors can transform your travels—and yourself—and why some of life’s richest experiences can’t be Googled.

✨ Inside This Episode:

How Shannon went from seamstress to global chef in her 40s
The mindset shift that helped her unlock deeper travel connections
Stories behind the hidden tables that shaped her new cookbook
Why culinary travel is about people—not just plates
What she’s learned from women entrepreneurs around the world
Her approach to flexible, curiosity-led travel (no itinerary required)
How she empowers women through teaching skills like cooking, sewing, and jewelry-making
A powerful reminder that your next chapter can start any decade

🌍 Whether you’re craving more meaning in midlife or just hungry for a deeper taste of the world, this episode is your invitation to slow down, savor the flavors, and follow your curiosity all the way home.

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction
04:57 Shannon's Culinary Beginnings
08:05 First Taste of International Travel
09:54 Rediscovering the World Through Food
15:55 Connecting Through Curiosity and Food
17:54 Culinary Adventures in Mexico
26:16 Choosing Stories and Recipes for the Book
29:08 The Art of Making Food Look Beautiful
30:13 Capturing the Essence of Different Cultures
31:04 Unexpected Culinary Adventures in Chile
34:07 The Magic of Spontaneity in Travel
35:09 Embracing Flexibility and Trying New Things
38:18 Empowering Women Through Culinary Skills
44:24 Advice for Finding Purpose After 50
48:24 Lightning Round: Culinary Favorites
51:28 Where to Find Shannon's Book and Recipes

Resources & Links:

Purchase The Hidden Table: Cookbook: https://chefshannon.com/shop/p/hidden-table-cookbook
Best Day Brewing: Learn more about Best Day Brewing’s Earn $2 Back Program today! https://transform-with-travel.captivate.fm/best-summer-yet
Download our Travel Planning Packages & Pricing: Click here to download our latest packages brochure - https://transformwithtravel.myflodesk.com/welcomeguide

Leave a Review: Loving the show? Please leave a 5-star review and share this episode with your favorite travel buddy (or stressed-out parent friend 💛). It helps more families find joy and transformation through travel.

Connect with Chef Shannon

Cookbook: https://chefshannon.com/shop/p/hidden-table-cookbook
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefshannonsmith
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefshannonsmith
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChefShannonSmith
Website: https://chefshannon.com/

Connect with Kelly

Follow the Podcast on IG: http://www.instagram.com/transformwithtravel
Follow Kelly Tolliday on IG: http://www.instagram.com/kelly.tolliday
Transform With Travel Website: https://www.transformwithtravel.co

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Transform With Travel. Happy travels in 2025! ✈️