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NEW ENGLAND 41
-IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD!
Leisa Steele of helloworld Ponsonby tastes her way around the
US states of Maine and Massachusetts.
The region of New England, in the northeasternmost packed with food tours, lobster-catching expeditions,
part of the USA, comprises six states: Connecticut, brewery tastings and some of the highest numbers of
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island restaurants per capita in the USA. On your table, tiny
and Vermont. I recently had the opportunity to sample pink shrimp, haddock, cod, and the oh-so-famous
the best of two of them – Maine and Massachusetts – lobsters pulled from the Atlantic intermingle with
and the culinary adventure I experienced left my taste locally-grown produce, dairy and meats.
buds wanting more. I know that the words “USA” and You can’t visit Portland and not go on the Maine
“foodie heaven” aren’t automatically associated, but Brew Bus. Maine has more than 70 craft breweries
my perceptions have been changed by this amazing to choose from and if you don’t like beer there’s also
area of the USA which offers fresh, diverse and unique distilled spirits, wine, cider and mead. The Maine
culinary delights. Brew Bus company has many tour options that include
a delicious lunch so you can take your pick of the
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS breweries or wineries you want to visit.
My journey started in Boston, home of the Boston Tea Another Portland recommendation is Forktown Food
Party and the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, once Tours. This was one of my favourite experiences and
an expressway and now an amazing open green space our guide was amazing. We walked the cobblestoned
with artworks, a carousel, fountains and beautiful streets of Portland to find amazing stores tucked away
landscaped gardens. Across from the Greenway is selling artisan cheeses from local farms, fresh scones
the Boston Public Market, which is open seven days with beautiful blueberry jams at Stonewall Kitchen,
a week. There is an amazing selection of artisanal fresh Maine lobster (of course), Mac ‘n Cheese, and
products specialising in the farm to table concept. lots of condiments and spices. Portland is a fantastic
Gourmet baked goods, Appleton Farms cheeses, walking city and the perfect foodie place.
Boston Honey Company products and many more And there’s much more. For coffee lovers from
speciality foods tempt your taste buds and encourage New Zealand there are some great places to try such
you to buy local. as Bard Coffee, Coffee By Design or Speckled Ax.
Next I headed to Action Kitchen, which gives you the And make sure you leave time for a visit to Freeport,
chance to get “hands-on” and prepare a culinary only 30 minutes away. Freeport is the location of
feast with the guidance of a world-class chef. I really the original flagship store of the world-famous
enjoyed it and we created so many amazing local fresh outdoor retailer, L.L Bean, and a sprawling shopping
dishes including a fresh salad made with fiddlehead destination with so many outlet stores to choose from
ferns harvested as a vegetable; Lobster Mornay; Baked you are sure to bag yourself a bargain.
Chicken, and to finish, Boston Cream Cakes. Creating I’ve talked a lot about New England as a foodie heaven
a dish from start to finish and then sitting down as a but as you will have gathered it is also full of natural
group to enjoy our meal over a glass of wine was a real beauty, from beautiful beaches to national parks to
highlight of the amazing food Boston has to offer. coastal walking trails and many other amazing places
A visit to Boston also isn’t complete until you’ve to discover. Its perfect blend of culinary experiences
ventured out to Cape Ann, an hour’s drive to the from land and sea guarantees tempting dishes
northeast. Cape Ann is home to artists and fishermen, wherever you roam. All year round, New England has
which means amazing seafood including the famous something for everyone.
lobster. You can also go whale-watching. Of course
I had to take part in a Cape Ann foodie tour with our
guide Cindy to sample the local food. We sampled
local fish and chips, cannoli and home-made
chocolates, to name just a few.
PORTLAND, MAINE
I then travelled to Portland, Maine for three nights –
an easy two-and-a-half-hour ride north from Boston
by Amtrak. And while in Portland I went another
hour north again to the town of Damariscotta to
shuck oysters. Journeying through Massachusetts
and Maine, you see how geography lends itself to
incredible culinary bounty and creativity. Both are
HELLOWORLD : EXPLORE : SPRING EDITION
