I’m Albert, the guy behind The Nomadic Cook. Traveler, adventurer, and for the last couple of years passionate about cooking my own food no matter where I find myself in the world. This has led to some unique and interesting experiences.
This passion has taught me a few things: 1: That you can fit a Dutch Oven into your check-in luggage or on the back of your bike:) and 2: Cooking tasty and uncomplicated meals with a few basic equipment and local ingredients is not only possible but easier than you think.
What you will find on The Nomadic Cook.
- Local tasty recipes through my series Cooking the world garnered from local cooks as well as renowned chefs.
- Food that you would crave to eat after a hard day’s work.
- Hearty wholesome food that fills out the corners.
How did it all start?
I have been living a semi-nomadic lifestyle since leaving school in 2001. At the age of 18, I went to the UK for a two-year working holiday. During this time I worked part-time in a pub and learned how to cook some basic English fare like Fish & Chips and Bangers & Mash.
My early to mid-’20s was a whirlwind of studying and partying. Sharing cheap apartments with my friends I was always the designated cook. My father taught me how to make his famous Oxtail Stew and this became a staple for us during those carefree days.
Being a restless spirit I finally took the yellow brick road at age 28 to do a backpacking adventure that took me through the middle east and Far East Asia for 1 year. While in Turkey walking the Lycian trail I came across a young Turkish couple who taught me how to make a filling breakfast called Menemen.
East Asia was next. And what a culinary explosion!. In Thailand Pad Thai was my staple food for 3 months! Laos saw me consuming Lao sandwiches by the boatload while floating down the mighty Mekon river in a slow boat. Drinking Vietnamese condensed milk coffee in the mountains of Dalat. And eating Cambodian Chicken Amok in the bustling streets of Siem Reap.
In 2011 I decided to travel solo across Africa with my motorbike from east to west. Traveling through Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. I had great adventures along the way and some amazing meals!
I got a job traveling through Africa doing Geotechnical work on mines in 2012. I drive all over Africa with my Landrover Defender called Livingstone. There have been some interesting meals during this time like the Under Siege stew in Guinea. And the Mozambique Peri Peri Chicken during cyclone idea in 2019.
And it was during these past 8 years that I seriously developed a passion for cooking. I normally have my Skillet, Dutch oven, and a small stainless-steel pot with me. With these 3 utensils, I cook 90% of my recipes. More about them in Tools of the Trade.
I finally got married in 2017 to my amazing wife Gabrielle and together we love traveling and cooking our way through our trips.