My 5 Most Significant Eats of 2021

2021 was a wild ride. 

1 ½ months in Hobart, Tasmania. 2 months living in a van traveling up the east coast of Queensland. 5 months in Brisbane. 3 weeks in Virginia. 2 months in NYC.  Toss in 1 week in Cabo, Mexico, a jaunt to Tennessee, frolicking around Melbourne, and eating my way through Sydney.

It was a year of adventure, tremendous personal growth, loads of hard work, and plenty of delicious eats– all while trying to navigate the pandemic and coping with the revelation that I might be retiring from dance.

To me, great food isn’t just about taste. It’s about the total experience. Who was I with? What did we talk about? Was it a cultural experience? Did I learn something new? Some of my fondest memories and biggest revelations have occurred around a dinner table. Last year, I shared my 5 Most Significant Eats of 2020…

365 days later, here are my 5 most significant eats of 2021.

5. Julius Pizzeria in Brisbane

Each month in Brisbane, Jeremy and I would write a list of  “Things to Do”  on our whiteboard. Julius Pizzeria was always on it. Not only was it highly recommended, but every single time we walked past the Fish Lane spot we’d marvel at the line of hungry guests waiting to get in. Each month we put it off until the next. “It’s overpriced.”  “We’ll be disappointed.”  “Let’s go somewhere else instead.”

It was the final night before leaving Brisbane and saying goodbye, and we decided it was finally time to try Julius Pizzeria. Turns out we made the right decision. The crust was perfectly thin, the sauce was fresh and flavorful. There was just the right amount of cheese and loads of meat. Easily the best pizza we had in Australia.

We spent the time reminiscing on our unexpected and total crazy 13 month adventure through Australia. That meal was the end of a chapter of life I’ll never forget. (Click HERE for our quest to find the best pizza in Australia!)

4. Day of Eating for Under $20

I hit the ground running the day I moved back to NYC. After 9 days in a row of my adventure in gig world, I finally had my first day off. I hit the streets with a $20 bill by myself to see just how far it would get me.

This foodie adventure reignited The Frugal Foodies. Not only did it remind me of how much I love New York City, but the content from that day has led to my Instagram following nearly tripling with a massive increase in blog traffic. It jumpstarted exciting partnerships and collaborations, and set the stage for transforming a hobby into an income source.

3. Unlimited Eats and Drinks at Dreams Los Cabos

Sometimes in life we make friends that become family. After a 1 ½ years apart, I finally got to see my best friend of 15+ years. In Cabo. For her bachelorette party. Wow.  Following the celebrations, just the two of us went to an all-inclusive resort for 3 full days to decompress for quality time together.

“All-inclusive”  blew my mind. I could have a margarita and snacks whenever I wanted without swiping a credit card?! 

Each meal and drink came with meaningful conversation. We’ve been there for each other through each phase of life and there’s a safe space between us to truly talk about anything. The whole experience ranks #3 on this list because the ideas, revelations, thoughts, and feelings shared across each meal were special and impactful.

2. Devil’s Backbone Brew Pub

The Devils Backbone Brewpub and Basecamp is nestled in the Blueridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley (click HERE for my review). Despite a plethora of breweries in the surrounding area, my family and I always end up on this particular sunny porch with a cold beer and plate full of meat.

It was one of the last meals I had with my parents before leaving to head Down Under, and it was one of the first meals I had with my parents upon returning.

Seeing the difference from August 2020 to October 2021 was incredible.

Indoor dining. Tables full of laughing patrons. The outdoor bar was bustling. Full capacity. A fun, lighthearted atmosphere that felt, dare I say, normal.

The meal involved good conversation pondering the meaning of life—a common topic of discussion for the Askegaards. But more importantly, it showed me that life is moving forward.   

1. Hashtag Burgers and Waffles

The decision to pack up our lives in Tasmania and swap out the apartment for a van was equally exciting as it was nerve wracking. Australia has taken COVID extremely seriously with snap lockdowns, strict rules, and hefty fines if you fail to comply. Would we still be allowed to roam around? Was it wise for Jeremy to leave his full time job?

Our adventure began in Brisbane, and naturally food was involved. We stumbled upon @hashtagburgersandwaffles on Instagram—would it taste as good as it looked? 10 minutes later and two insane burgers were sitting in front of us. It was love at first bite. Flavorful smashed patties, a perfect bun, and the ideal ratio of fresh ingredients.

Those burgers were the official start of one of the most memorable travel experiences I’ve ever had. And, little did we know, we’d end up back in Brisbane noshing on burger feasts again and again. (In fact, I even interviewed the owner! Click HERE for the post!)

Cheers to the end of one hell of a year.

What will 2022 have in store? Stay tuned… there are some exciting adventures in the making.