Chef Aaron Foster uses his culinary skills as a passport to live, work and travel around the world, learning about food, cultures and traditions from different parts of the globe. And now he’s doing so as executive chef at W Nashville, where he oversees the hotly anticipated hotel’s multiple dining options, including The Dutch and Carne Mare.
Guests and locals enjoy a lively atmosphere paired with laid-back American menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Dutch. Dishes include grilled hanger steak with kimchi fried rice and sunny-side-up egg, and crab salad with Bloody Mary dressing. At Carne Mare, a more formal night out awaits at the contemporary Italian chophouse, boasting prime cuts of steak, seafood and Italian delicacies.
Foster hails from Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, and started his culinary journey at the age of 14, washing dishes at his mother’s restaurant. He met his mentors, Canadian celebrity chefs Michael and Anna Olson, while attending Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College. In 2007 Foster and his wife moved to Bangkok to open RedSky and 55 Fine Steaks & Wines at Centara Grand at Central World. His career then brought him back to Canada, followed by a return to Asia before his current position in Nashville.
WHICH FOOD IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? AND ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM, WHAT IS ONE INGREDIENT OR FOOD YOU HATE TO USE?
Hot dogs with cheese and spicy mayo are my guilty pleasure; when we lived in Asia and went back to Canada for vacation, I would always bring back 10 packs of Juicy Jumbos, my favorite brand of hot dog. Hot dogs remind me of my childhood.
I hate pineapples. I don’t even like holding them in my hands. When I lived in Thai- land, I went to pick pineapples and there was, well, let’s just call it a snake incident.
WHAT DISHES WOULD YOU SERVE AT A PRIVATE DINNER PARTY?
There are so many, but I would team up with my wife, Pai, and make a meal that would feature a mix of Thai ingredients made with Western cooking techniques.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEAL YOU EVER PREPARED ON YOUR OWN?
I cooked enchiladas from a Betty Crocker cookbook when I was 10, and that’s how I fell in love with food.
IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN ONE DISH, WHICH DISH WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
The national dish of Thai Sum Tum — it’s sour, spicy, sweet and always changing, depending where you go.
WHICH CULINARY TREND WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIS- APPEAR?
I don’t need to see any of them go, as I think they all serve their purpose and we can learn from them. Usually the ones I am not a fan of don’t last long, anyway.
THE DUTCH & CARNE MARE
W Nashville
300 12th Ave. S.
Nashville, TN 37203
tel 615 379 9000
marriott.com
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 28, 2024New Adriatic Yacht Cruise and Tour Itineraries Unveiled for 2025
Set sail through crystal-clear waters and explore ports, islands and more on three new yacht cruise and tour itineraries in the Adriatic Sea from Riviera River Cruises. New 2025 itineraries combine yacht cruises with onboard accommodations and land extensions with hotel stays in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Itineraries also include tours of charming coastal towns and stops in national parks and swimming hole locations.
Sponsored Content
A New Perspective on Incentive Travel
Incentive travel has long been a way for organizations to drive sales and reward employees with opulent trips to exotic destinations. Today it encompasses even more.
March 2024
Mar 28, 2024Cruise Lines Elevate the Onboard Fine-Dining Experience
It’s been a long time since the food on cruise ships resembled the bland, uninspired fare that gave onboard dining a bad name. These days, cruise passengers can look forward to menus created by Michelin-starred chefs made with top-quality ingredients served in stunning spaces. Choices abound as well. In addition to elegant main dining rooms, cruise ships have created a huge array of specialty restaurants that focus not only on perfectly executed traditional European and North American dishes but flavors and experiences from around the globe as well. In fact, meals served aboard cruise vessels have gotten so good, they’re drawing passengers onto ships: According to a recent report by luxury travel planning network Virtuoso, advisors report after Europe (specifically Italy and France), the No. 2 dining destination for travelers is aboard an ocean or river cruise. “This shows how cruise lines have really stepped up their culinary game, with consulting chefs and new restaurants and making that a focal point,” said Misty Belles, vice president, Global Public Relations, Virtuoso.
Daily
Mar 28, 2024Athens’ National Museum of Contemporary Art Opens What if Women Ruled the World? Exhibition
National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens was founded in 1997 and is supervised and subsidized by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. The museum began its operation in 2000, when it acquired the first artwork of its collection and the first temporary exhibition took place.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
Daily
Mar 28, 2024AmaWaterways Debuts Specialty Summer Cruises in Europe
AmaWaterways recently unveiled its lineup of experiences and exclusive offers for its 2024 Summer European river cruise season, and the list includes 20 Celebration of Wine Cruises, with two hosted by Samantha Brown and Chef Joanne Weir; and three Loyalty Appreciation Cruises.
Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortés Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 27, 2024Japan Airlines Purchases 32 Airbus, 10 Boeing
eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024China Airlines Expands North American Network with Non-Stop Flights to Seattle
China Airlines will begin offering non-stop flights to Seattle (SEA) from Taipei (TPE) starting July 14. The new route expands the carrier’s passenger services to the northwestern United States by offering five weekly flights via the Airbus A350-900.
Sponsored Content
Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win
Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!
eFlyer Deals
Mar 27, 2024Sleep Sanctuary at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
In West Florida, indulge in a stay at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. This season, the hotel’s Sleep Sanctuary offer promises premium, beachfront accommodations; and sleep-enhancing amenities. Amenities include two aroma bracelets, a handmade soap, a bath bomb and foaming sugar scrub from Artful Soap Co.
ShareThis