How did a relatively small city in Northern Europe become one of the world’s most influential food capitals? And was it ever really just about food?

For this episode, we sat down with Copenhagen-born chef, author and creative director Mikkel Karstad, who has spent more than three decades working with food, to explore his city through the culture surrounding it.

We talked about the movement that transformed Copenhagen’s food identity, rediscovering local ingredients, traditions and seasons — and how New Nordic has evolved again as a new generation of restaurants brings influences from Korea, Japan and beyond into a distinctly Danish way of cooking.

We get into Copenhagen’s extraordinary bakery culture, the importance of rugbrød and smørrebrød, what hygge actually means to a Dane, why summer changes the rhythm of the city, and the neighborhoods Mikkel thinks are worth paying attention to.

A conversation about food, but also about seasons, togetherness, and the small things that can tell you something about a place.

• PLACES MIKKEL MENTIONS

For bread & bakeries:

Juno the Bakery

Sommer Canteen

Lille Bakery

Kødbyen

Sinne Gas

For smørrebrød:

Palægade

Møntergade

Aamanns

Restaurants:

Sushi Anaba

Koan

Jatak

Neighborhoods & areas:

Vesterbro

The Meatpacking District / Kødbyen

Nordhavn

Berlin is often described through its history.

But perhaps its greatest legacy is being built right now.

And with it the freedom that emerged from it all.

In this episode, I sit down with Sofía Capraro to explore Berlin through the eyes of someone who now calls it home. Together, we wander through neighborhoods shaped by history, discover why the East still feels different from the West, talk about Turkish food, beer gardens, cafés, techno, flea markets and the everyday rituals that make Berlin one of Europe’s most distinctive cities.

But more than a travel guide, this is a conversation about what Berlin teaches us: that freedom isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s simply the feeling of being able to exist exactly as you are.

Vuong Tong decided to join us for a session to share a fresh look on one of the most interesting cities in the world: Montreal.

He is a graphic designer, a well traveled native from Philadelphia, that has lived in two of the most iconic capitals of the world: London and New York. Now dating a Quebecois, he decided to move to Montreal for love... for this city!

As a creative himself, we knew he would be the perfect guest to take us all on an imaginary trip, and oh boy did he delivered! We are excited to share his point of view, his love of food, language barriers, music discoveries and more.

We believe this episode is perfect to be heard while walking around Montreal on your first visit, but just in case, grab a pen and take notes. There are plenty of good tips ready to be unpacked here!