Latin American cuisine is full of robust flavor and spices. Traditional dishes are steeped in culture and heritage, with many of the best recipes handed down from generation to generation. For travelers looking to experience the culture of a destination through their taste buds, and possibly hoping to step up their own cooking skills in the process, here’s a roundup of some of the most hands-on culinary experiences to be had in Latin America and the Caribbean.

If you love dessert, Instagrammable photo ops, creativity and fun, then Dessert Goals is the festival you need in your life. This festival is brought you by young entrepreneurs, and fellow dessert lovers, Miraya Berke and Liang Shi. As the story goes, these two young women were relaxing on a hot summer day, enjoying some shaved snow, when they pondered why on earth there wasn’t a dessert festival in New York City.

Good food brings people together. A wonderful meal can be a catalyst for the exchange of ideas and social change, ultimately helping to make the world a better place, even if just a little. The attention, care and passion required from chefs, purveyors, suppliers and restaurant staff to make a meal truly special is usually evident well before the first bite is taken.

The immense diversity of the Los Angeles food scene is no secret. Thanks to an unparalleled multicultural presence, you can find any type of cuisine, or fusion for that matter, with relative ease. And it doesn’t always mean breaking the bank. From strip mall joints, pop-ups and food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants and the critically acclaimed cuisine of the world’s best chefs, it's a food scene that has it all.

Since my visit, the food scene in the Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area has only continued to grow, quite rapidly, thanks to some of the South’s best chef’s, mixologists and artisanal purveyors invigorating the area with their infectious zeal for collaboration and desire to bring together the best of the best to make quality food and drink. It’s safe to say The Triangle has since emerged as one of the top food destinations in the country.

No matter how you choose to eat them, apples make for a tasty snack. Luckily, different places around the world each have a special way of incorporating apples into treats. From beautiful rose-shaped treats to boozy cakes, here are 20 delicious apple desserts from around the world.

The fall harvest brings to you a variety of squashes that are begging to be the star of your next hearty, comforting meal. Though commonly referred to as “winter squash,” the varieties you’ll find at your farmer’s market or local grocer are harvested from late summer to mid-winter. In other words, it’s prime-time for all you squash lovers.

Gone are the days when the best food was only found in brick and mortar restaurants. Today, highly trained chefs can be found at the helms of food truck kitchens around the globe. From burgers, tacos, and hot dogs to diverse fusion cuisine and food mashups, the food truck trend has become a permanent part of today's culinary world.

Though many in the United States would assert that French fries are as much a part of Americana as apple pie, they certainly weren't the first to invent the savory side dish. The debate is still on as to whether we have the Belgians or the French to thank for giving us a delicious way to snack on potatoes, but since they were created, people have been making them their own. From fries smothered in gravy to those topped with meat and cheese, here's a look at how the dish is prepared throughout the world.

Haven’t heard of Saskatoon? Most people haven’t. Located about 300 miles north of Montana, it’s quickly rising in popularity thanks to landing the number 18 spot on the New York Times 52 Places to Go in 2018 list. In addition to the opening of the Remai Modern, the recently opened modern museum that’s put this obscure Canadian destination on the art map thanks to its impressive Picasso linocut collection, Saskatoon has a burgeoning culinary and craft drink scene.

Chef Judy Lai’s creations are more than just camera-worthy. At Silk Cakes, her jewel-like shop in Forest Hills, her pastries pay homage to her culture, blended with a playful, dramatic flair. Silk Cakes is a modern Asian American cake shop bringing together East Asian culture and Western pastry. “A lot of things you see on the menu are inspired by Asian influences, my culture and background,” said Lai. “We try to think through our products rather than just bring them out for sale or Instagram p

Dumplings are a magical, ubiquitous food that can be found almost anywhere in the world. From Germany's potato dumpling, kartoffelknoedel, to China's black sesame paste-filled dessert, tangyuan, most cuisines offer up their own unique version of the deliciously stuffed dough pocket. Whether sweet or savory, meat or vegetarian, filled with broth or bean paste, the options of what can be wrapped up in dough are endless. We've rounded up 25 different types of dumplings from across the globe to give you a sampling of how this type of food has managed to become an integral part of so many countries' cuisines.

The foodies of New York City are freaking out over this innovative restaurant’s latest creation: smoked watermelon meat. Located in NYC’s East Village, Ducks Eatery is known for its smoked meats and barbecue, in addition to some unique vegan offerings, such as the cantaloupe burger. If you’re thinking that’s a beef burger topped with a slice of melon, you’d be wrong.

Despite being born and raised in San Francisco, I can count the times I’ve actually visited Treasure Island, the man-made island in the bay, on one hand. That’s all about to change thanks to the discovery of the recently opened restaurant, Mersea. The city’s new island oasis is unlike any other restaurant you’re going to find in the Bay Area. Made entirely of recycled shipping containers, this restaurant features incredible views of the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate.

While no one needs an excuse to eat dessert other than it being deliciously good for your soul, July 30 is National Cheesecake Day. So in celebration of one of the most decadent treats around — one that was invented over 4,000 years ago in ancient Greece — The Cheesecake Factory has partnered with two very well-known dessert brands to create two, extra sweet new flavors.

From wind-shaped caves and saguaro cacti to rocky canyons and incredible sunsets, Mesa, Arizona is known for its stunning desert landscape. What some might not be aware of, is how big its food scene is. With a bounty of locally sourced ingredients from nutrient-rich farm lands and an endless array of talented chefs pushing the boundaries of seasonal cuisine, this region serves as a culinary gateway to both Phoenix and Scottsdale, as well as the surrounding farms and agritourism attractions.

Want to wow your friends and family on the Fourth of July? Show up to the party with one of these super-patriotic, red, white and blue, delicious desserts! These 10 easy-to-make recipes will outshine even the most spectacular fireworks display. Ever heard of a fireworks show satisfying your sweet tooth? Didn’t think so.

New York City is a food lover’s paradise. Its incredible amount of diversity is evident in how many different types of cuisine can be found in any given neighborhood. From Asian American fare influenced by the many immigrants that now call New York City home to a shop specializing in a Yunnanese rice noodle called mixian, options for innovative, delicious food are endless.

Lovers of food can’t visit Thailand without experiencing the bustling energy of one of the country’s famous floating markets. Damnoen Saduak, located about an hour away from downtown Bangkok, is the largest in the country. Originally constructed to connect the Mae Klong and Tha Chin Rivers, the 20-mile Damnoen Saduak Canal was opened in 1868 and quickly became known for its floating markets.

Feeling the pressure of Valentine’s Day yet? Unsure of where to take the love of your life (or new beau or Tinder date?) This roundup of restaurants, wineries and getaway stays is just what you need. From multi-course meals and wine pairings to over-the-top pampering spa treatments, this is going to be your best Valentine’s Day yet!