By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Media Services
June 18, 2013
Chef Gerry “G.” Garvin is an author and a James Beard Award nominee for best food personality. As the host of the Cooking Channel’s “Road Trip with G. Garvin” — currently in its second season — the 44-year-old Atlanta resident crisscrosses the country to find the best Southern-inspired dishes. His cookbooks include “Turn Up the Heat with G. Garvin.” Fans may follow the chef on Twitter.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. Wow, trying to think back and remember, but I think it was Callaway Gardens in Georgia. I remember lots of other children there, so it was fun for me as a kid.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. I believe everyone should get to go to Costa Rica and Peru in their lifetime and a little place called Positano in Italy.
Q. What are your favorite hotels?
A. I would have to say that I really love the Four Seasons in Maui. It’s got the most gorgeous landscape and beautiful views. I definitely recommend it for anyone thinking of going. I also like the St. Regis hotels, the Dream Hotel in Chelsea, New York City, the Hard Rock in Las Vegas and the Shore Club in Miami.
Q. What would you recommend people do in Maui?
A: To relax, eat where the locals eat, get massages and golf. Those would be my top picks for traveling.
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A. Some of the most important travel tips I learned is how to pack conservatively, but yet have everything you need. Also, finding the local gyms and restaurants are very important and meeting and enjoying people from all walks of life.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. A place I really like to head to on weekends is Laguna Niguel Beach on the West Coast. I love the quiet of it. And Lake Oconee when I’m down south in Georgia.
Q. Where is the most romantic destination?
A. Definitely Bora Bora.
Q. If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A. Traveling during the holidays would have to be Christmas in Paris, but it has yet to happen. So, at this time, I will settle for Miami.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A: If I had to limit it to five, they would have to be Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, New York City and Atlanta.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A: That would have to be Charleston, S.C. The people are kind, and live, love and eat.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. Morocco, Australia and Canada.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. I love to work out, so I always have my gym clothes. Definitely my iPad, Dermalogica and a classic movie like “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?”
Q. What would be your dream/fantasy trip?
A. I’d want to visit five of the world’s most quiet islands, and eat five of the best meals in each place.
Q. What are your favorite restaurants?
A: Marble Lane at the Dream Hotel in New York City, Mastro’s in Beverly Hills, Nobu, Matsuhisa, Kyma and Low Country Barbecue in Atlanta. Also Morimoto New York City and the French Laundry.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A. Jack Daniel’s Honey and a nice stick [aka cigar].
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. I research places not to go to. Also, the best restaurants, where the locals go. Definitely a hotel with a gym, the architecture and what the weather will be like.
Q. What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?
A. My best memory is being in Miami at the age of 16 on vacation. My worst is while I was snorkeling and stepping on a sea urchin.
© 2013 JAE-HA KIM
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