Travel nursing professionals have the unique opportunity to explore different cities all over the country while pursuing their passions in healthcare. On your days off, one of the most enriching and delightful ways to get to know a city is not through its museums or its architectural wonders, but through its culinary delights. Travel nurse assignments allow you to experience the saying, “You are what you eat.” But in a broader sense, it could be aptly modified to, “A city is what it eats.”

Food isn’t just fuel. It’s history, art, and culture served on a plate. To truly understand a city, skip the guided tour and head straight to its local markets, eateries, and street food stalls. Because, in the words of the famous food writer, M.F.K. Fisher, “First we eat, then we do everything else.”

What better way to experience a place than through its food? If you’re a travel nurse or contemplating this exciting career path, here are some tips to help you embark on a culinary journey on your next travel nurse assignments:

1. Embrace Local Eateries

Chain restaurants offer familiarity, but local diners, street vendors, and mom-and-pop eateries are where the true flavors of a region come alive. Prioritize these places to get an authentic taste.

The saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” has never been more relevant. By choosing to eat local dishes, you embrace the authentic tastes and culinary techniques of a place. You experience food that tells stories—of its land, its climate, its history, and its people.

In addition, local businesses, especially in smaller towns or rural areas, benefit greatly from tourism. By eating at local establishments rather than international chains, you contribute directly to the local economy, helping families and communities thrive.

2. Join Food Tours

Many cities offer food tours where you sample a variety of dishes and learn about the history and culture behind them. At the heart of every dish is a story — of a region, its people, their history, and traditions. When a travel nurse takes a local food tour, they’re not just satiating their hunger but are also feeding their curiosity. From the spicy tang of New Orleans gumbo to the soothing warmth of a Portland clam chowder, each dish narrates a tale of its own.

Taking a food tour often means you won’t be eating alone. You’ll be accompanied by locals, fellow travelers, and food enthusiasts. This presents a unique opportunity for travel nurses to make new friends, share experiences, and even get tips about the locale. Who knows? You might even get recommendations for the best places to eat or visit outside of the tour.

While souvenirs like magnets, postcards, and trinkets are great, the memories of a delightful dish or a unique local beverage are souvenirs that linger on the palate and in the mind. Each time you recreate a dish or reminisce about a particular flavor, you’re transported back to the time and place of its origin.

3. Ask Locals for Recommendations

Travel websites and popular restaurant chains might guide you to places that are more commercial and tailored to tourists. While they might offer a good meal, it often lacks the authentic touch. Locals point you to eateries where traditional dishes are served just as they have been for generations. It’s like getting a taste of the city’s soul!

Some of the best eateries are not the ones with flashy signs and prime locations. They’re hidden in alleyways, on the top floors of nondescript buildings, or even in someone’s backyard. Only a local would know about these  places, and the effort to find them usually pays off with a memorable meal.

4. Be Open-Minded

Traveling is one of the most enriching experiences that broadens our horizons, challenges our perspectives, and makes us more understanding individuals. Furthermore, one of the most exhilarating (and sometimes intimidating) aspects of visiting a new city is diving into its culinary landscape. Being open-minded when trying new foods not only leads to delightful discoveries but also helps us connect with the very essence of a place.

It’s easy to stick to what we know, but where’s the adventure in that? When you push your boundaries and try something unfamiliar, you often discover new favorites and expand your palate.

5. Visit Local Farmer’s Markets

Each stall in a farmers’ market is a window into the local culture. The way food is grown, prepared, and presented is steeped in traditions that often span centuries. Chatting with vendors, you not only learn about the foods they’re selling but the stories behind them. The passion fruit might come with a tale of ancestral farming, or a particular cheese might hold secrets of a village’s age-old technique.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Farmers’ Market Experience:

• Start Early: The early bird catches the worm, or in this case, the freshest produce and the best selections.
• Bring Cash: Many small-scale vendors do not have card facilities, so it’s a good idea to have some local currency on hand.
• Ask Questions: Engage with vendors. Learn about their produce. Often, they’ll give you preparation tips or recipes to try.
• Be Adventurous: Don’t shy away from trying something new. That odd-looking vegetable might just become your new favorite.
• Reusable Bags: Carry reusable bags or baskets. It’s an eco-friendly choice and adds to the authentic experience.

Additionally, being a travel nurse is not just about the medical experience; it’s about immersing yourself in diverse cultures. By embracing the culinary aspects of each assignment, you enrich your overall experience and create memories that last a lifetime. So, with every new city you find yourself in, take a bite out of their culture, quite literally!

Do you need support finding your next assignment? Allow Voca to help guide you through travel nursing and take some of the planning off your plate! We are here to help you have a positive travel nursing assignment. Contact us today!

About Voca: The Spirit of Work

Voca is a relationship organization focused on uniting talented healthcare professionals across nursing and allied, as well as travel and local with exceptional companies. Headquartered in Rochester, MN, Voca works coast-to-coast supporting national, regional, and local healthcare companies. Voca is proud to be certified by The Joint Commission, which evaluates and accredits healthcare staffing agency organizations and programs in the United States. We are committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to our mutual success and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. For more information, visit https://myvoca.com/.