I started thinking this weekend about what would be on my culinary bucketlist. What foods or culinary-related experiences do I want to try before I die.

There are just so many things I still want to do in my life. Leaving North America is tops on the list. I have always dreamed of touring Venice, London, Madrid, Tokyo and so many other destinations, each with their own unique food experiences. Yet, there are so many parts of this country I still want to experience like trekking down Route 66 and coasting up the Pacific Coast Highway.

Below is just my working list that I have started to compile about things I’d love to try in my lifetime. I thought posting them on my 31st birthday would be a good kick to get started on some of ’em…
U.S. Destinations

1. Beignets at Cafe DuMonde in New Orleans
2. Dinner at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif.
3. Weekend vacation in Napa Valley’s famed “Wine Country”
4. Barbecue Tour of the U.S. (Memphis, Texas, Carolinas, and Kansas City)
5. A hot dog with the stars at Pink’s in Hollywood
6. Speaking of hot dogs, see the annual Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island’s Nathan Famous Hot Dogs
7. Have a steak at the 125-year-old Peter Luger’s Steakhouse in NYC (voted the city’s best steak for 28 straight years)
8. Try Spam Musubi (sushi) in Hawaii
9. Actually try a lobster in Maine
10. Visit Seattle’s famous Pike Place Fish Market
11. Get asked “What’ll you have?” at The Varsity in Atlanta
12. Milk a cow (I am originally from Wisconsin so it seems like something we should know how to do)
13. Indulge in the original Boston Creme Pie at the Omni Parker House Hotel
14. Get whatever Meg Ryan ordered in “When Harry Met Sally” at Katz Delicatessen in NYC
15. Order Trader Vic’s original Mai Tai 
16. Buffalo wings from the originator of the game-day classic at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY
17. End the debate of which Philly cheese steak is better – Geno’s Steaks or Pat’s King of Steaks
18. Cool down with a slice of key lime pie in Key West, Fla. and check out the Ernest Hemingway look-a-like contest at Sloppy Joe’s Bar

Other experiences and international destinations

1. Visit the Philippines to try foods from my heritage (I can’t narrow it down to just one item, there are just SO many I want to try)
2. Meet Chef Gordon Ramsay (uber crush on him!)
3. Tour the America’s Test Kitchen studios in metro Boston
4. Find the best croissant and cup of coffee in Paris, France
5. Chow down on some classic fish ‘n chips in London and wash it down with a pint of Guinness
6. Bake and decorate baby’s first birthday cake (The more accurate item since we don’t have kids then would be to take a formal cake decorating class)

What makes your culinary bucket list? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!