Whenever we travel, we’re on the lookout for halloumi: a salty Cypriot cheese often griddled or grilled until crispy and golden brown. Halloumi can be very difficult to find in the United States, but it’s wildly popular in some of our favorite travel destinations: Greece, Turkey and Lebanon, especially, but also cities like London, Berlin and Dublin, where it has become an integral part of the culinary landscape. Both vegetarians and omnivores love it tucked into a pita sandwich as a quick lunch during a day of touring or as part of a mezze platter for a healthy, delicious dinner. The versatile cheese is equally at home as part of an elegant room service dinner at Claridge’s in London (above) as it is on a veggie skewer with rice and yogurt sauce at a local vegetarian restaurant in Istanbul (below).

Contact Artisans of Leisure to start planning an amazing culinary tour with plenty of opportunities to sample halloumi and other favorite gourmet products.