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

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

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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! ✈️