Santiago Vargas

Travel & Drinks Correspondent

Santiago Vargas serves as the Travel & Drinks Correspondent for Tastes Good Magazine, where he explores global street food, culinary travel guides, and the craft of spirits. His writing takes an immersive, adventurous approach to documenting the local dishes and drinks that define a destination, from Latin American cuisine to Southeast Asian flavors. Through detailed city guides, street vendor profiles, and expert cocktail recipes, he provides readers with a vibrant look at modern food culture. By highlighting the people and traditions behind every bite and sip, his work helps readers discover authentic culinary experiences worldwide.

Expertise

Global Street FoodCocktails & SpiritsCulinary Travel GuidesLatin American CuisineSoutheast Asian CuisineBartending & Mixology

Coverage Areas

Global City Food Guides
The History and Craft of Spirits
Street Food Vendor Profiles
On-the-ground Food Festival Coverage
Cocktail Recipes

Latest Articles

A lively, diverse crowd enjoying food and drinks at a vibrant outdoor food festival under warm string lights at dusk.
Travel

Culinary tourism surges as food festivals draw crowds

The global culinary tourism market is exploding!

Aug 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Elegant guests on a private oyster farm tour, learning about harvesting with a farmer, showcasing a luxury culinary experience by the sea.
Travel

Oyster Farm Tours Across US Culinary Experiences

A private oyster farm tour for up to 12 guests can command nearly $2,000, transforming a hands-on culinary experience into a luxury event.

Aug 15, 2026 · 5 min read

Elegant interior of Bar Auklet restaurant featuring a plate of fresh oysters and a glass of wine, showcasing upscale dining.
Restaurants

Bar Auklet Emerges as West Marin's Newest Culinary Sensation

A half dozen TBOC oysters at Bar Auklet, a new Point Reyes Station restaurant, costs $25, signaling a new era of upscale dining in West Marin.

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read

A lively outdoor food market scene in a British town, showcasing fresh produce, artisanal foods, and happy people enjoying local culinary experiences.
Travel

Why Foodies Are Choosing Staycations Over Far-Flung Culinary Tours

Nearly three-quarters of Britons (71%) now declare dining a key part of their 'foodie staycation', fundamentally shifting the purpose of domestic holidays in 2026.

Aug 7, 2026 · 3 min read

A lively outdoor food festival with diverse attendees enjoying artisanal food from stalls under evening lights, showcasing the rise of culinary tourism.
Travel

Niche Culinary Tourism Experiences and Festivals Grow in 2026

Nearly 1 in 5 travelers now plan their entire trip around seeking out new restaurants or culinary experiences, a profound shift in travel priorities, according to Stories .

Jul 16, 2026 · 5 min read

A diverse group of travelers enjoying authentic street food at a vibrant global market during a culinary tour.
Travel

Top 5 Immersive Food Tours Around the Globe for Culinary Travel

Last year, global food tour bookings exploded by an astonishing 57%, according to TripAdvisor .

Jul 15, 2026 · 5 min read

A diverse group of travelers enthusiastically sampling authentic street food in a lively, colorful market at sunset, highlighting the cultural experience.
Travel

Travelers' Choices Driven by Culinary Tourism Trends

Nearly 80% of travelers now consider food a primary driver when picking a destination, according to Hotel News Resource .

Jul 14, 2026 · 3 min read

A vibrant Southeast Asian night market with diverse street food stalls, chefs preparing delicacies, and travelers enjoying the energetic culinary atmosphere.
Travel

2026 Food Destinations: Global Shifts & Culinary Trends

For the first time ever, over half of the top 50 food destinations for 2026 are outside Europe and North America.

Jul 12, 2026 · 4 min read

Diverse chefs celebrating financial success and career growth in a modern kitchen, empowered by the CookUnity creator economy model.
Recipes

CookUnity's creator economy model boosts chef earnings

Top-earning chefs on the meal delivery platform CookUnity are now approaching $10 million in annual earnings, a figure that dwarfs the compensation of even Michelin-starred chefs in traditional restau

Jun 28, 2026 · 2 min read

A perfectly cooked plate of scrambled eggs on a rustic table in the Love Island villa kitchen, bathed in warm morning light.
Recipes

Love Island villa breakfast menu revealed, featuring scrambled eggs

In the Love Island villa, where gourmet lunches and dinners are catered, an overcooked plate of scrambled eggs is believed to doom a blossoming relationship.

Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read

A kitchen counter filled with discounted appliances and cookware during the final hours of a Prime Day sale, with a clock showing time is running out.
How-To

Prime Day kitchen deals vanish in final hours

Prime Day 2026 kitchen deals officially conclude on Friday, June 26, at 11:59 p.

Jun 27, 2026 · 4 min read

Industry professionals networking in an intimate lounge at a bar trade show, enjoying artisanal coffee and premium gifts.
Travel

Bar trade show hot takes reveal intimate event trends for 2026

Amidst the bustling Bar Convent Brooklyn in 2026, Eater and Square unveiled a 'Pre Shift Lounge.

Jun 25, 2026 · 2 min read

L'Oréal's advanced AI interfaces and data visualizations in a futuristic lab setting at VivaTech 2026, showcasing beauty tech innovation.
Recipes

L'Oréal Unveils AI Innovations at VivaTech 2026

Anthropic's AI model, Mythos, just hit a home run: successfully generating strong drug candidates for 9 out of 14 targets.

Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read

Chef serving a gourmet dish across a counter in an upscale restaurant, symbolizing the shift to counter service in fine dining.
Restaurants

Fine Dining Shifts to Counter Service for Sustainability

Washington D.C.'s Michelin-starred Tail Up Goat just launched Rye Bunny, a counter-service spot, specifically to give staff competitive wages, PTO, and healthcare, Eater reports. This isn't just a new

Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read

A mouth-watering bowl of chili crisp corn, showcasing its spicy texture and vibrant red chili flakes, ready to be enjoyed.
Recipes

Chili Crisp Corn Recipes: A 2026 Food Phenomenon

A single TikTok video, showcasing a simple chili crisp corn recipe, exploded with 50 million views in one week.

Jun 21, 2026 · 3 min read

A beautifully set outdoor table featuring various colorful and refreshing cold soups, ideal for a summer meal.
Recipes

Easy Cold Soup Recipes for Summer Bring Effortless Meals

This summer, forget the sweltering kitchen!

Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read

Golden-brown, crispy tuna patties sizzling in a cast-iron skillet, showcasing a delicious and quick weeknight dinner.
Recipes

Crispy Tuna Patties: A Simple Recipe Guide

In just 3 to 5 minutes per side, a simple tuna patty transforms into a golden, crispy weeknight dinner, defying expectations for speed and quality.

Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read

Aerial view of a luxurious Anguilla resort with an infinity pool and white-sand beach at sunset.
Recipes

Win a Dream Trip to Anguilla in This Exclusive Vacation Giveaway

Ready for a $25,000 Anguilla dream trip?

Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read

A half-empty bottle of red wine on a kitchen counter, ready to be used in a delicious braised short ribs recipe.
Drinks

Transform Leftover Party Wine into Delicious Dishes

That half-empty bottle of Cabernet from last night's party isn't destined for the drain; it's the secret ingredient for your next batch of Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs.

Jun 15, 2026 · 3 min read

A refreshing michelada cocktail made with batch-juiced fresh tomatoes, garnished with lime and a chili salt rim, ready to be served.
Recipes

Make a Fresh Tomato Michelada Recipe Using Batch-Juiced Tomatoes

Forget muddling individual tomatoes for every drink!

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read