Greetings! I'm Andre and I wanted to say thank you for discovering and stopping by. Whether you’re an experienced backcountry chef or just starting to explore cooking on the trail, you’ve come to the right place. Trail Eating is about experiencing the joy of outdoor cooking and making it easier (and tastier, of course!) for those of you who like backpacking, canoeing, and even kayaking on lakes or rivers.
Let me tell you a bit about what inspired me to create Trail Eating. As a former chef and an outdoor enthusiast, I’ve always loved combining my passions for food and adventure. But the truth is, cooking outside isn’t always a walk in the park. It can be a challenge to balance weight, nutrition, and flavours while also dealing with unpredictable weather, limited gear, and the occasional curious critter. That’s why I created Trail Eating—to help solve these challenges and share tips, recipes, and gear reviews to make outdoor cooking more accessible and enjoyable.
Backpacking Food and More!
Trail Eating is your one-stop shop for all things outdoor cooking. Here’s a little taste (pun intended!) of what you can expect:
-
Recipes for Every Adventure: From lightweight, packable meals for multi-day hikes to hearty campfire dinners for backpacking, camping, and kayaking, I've got you covered. My recipes are not only delicious but also practical, with adjustable ingredient quantities and tips for prepping and packing. I will also try my best to account for your location and the season. You might want to check out my Plan Your Hiking and Camping Menus article!
-
Gear Reviews: Not sure which camp stove to buy? Wondering if that fancy portable grill is worth it? I will take you through my review of the various types of gear that I use (or used) so you don’t have to. Regardless of what I review, I can guarantee it's something that I have used.
-
Tips and Techniques: Learn how to keep your food safe in the summer heat, learn the art of cooking over an open flame and discover time-saving hacks for meal prep on the go. Have you ever seasoned a carbon steel frying pan on a campfire?
-
Seasonal Inspiration: One of the common themes across many websites that talk about hiking, food, and other outdoor-related topics, is focused on mostly summer. However, as someone who enjoys getting out into the backcountry and doing backpacking, I often venture out in the Fall and Winter. Every season brings new opportunities (and challenges!) for outdoor cooking. If you're into four-season camping & hiking food, this is the place for it! I’ll help you plan the perfect winter warm comfort meal, spring kayak adventure snacks, or fall camping food buffets.
-
Beginner-Friendly Guides: Just starting? No worries! My beginner’s guides will walk you through the basics of outdoor cooking, from choosing the right gear to planning delicious meals. Everything from breakfast to dinners and in between snacking.
-
Nutrition and Sustainability: Stay fueled with meal plans that match your energy needs, and learn how to minimize waste and respect Leave No Trace principles. This will be especially important if you head out into the cold of winter or the wet spring and fall seasons.
Why Trail Eating?
There are plenty of food blogs online, but Trail Eating is special because it’s tailored specifically for outdoor adventurers. This resource is more for North America, in general, but many aspects of what I will share with you can also apply to other geographical locations. This is a space where practicality meets creativity. Whether you’re trying to lighten your pack without sacrificing flavour, or you’re looking for gourmet-style meals to impress your camping buddies, I’ve got something for you.
Join My Outdoor Community
One of the best parts of Trail Eating is connecting with others who share a love for good food and the great outdoors. I would love for you to join the community by subscribing to the Trail Eating Newsletter, following me on social media such as X (Twitter), and sharing your trail-eating adventures. Have a favourite trail recipe or a piece of gear you swear by? Feel free to share it with everyone!
What’s Next?
If you’re ready to get started, check back often as I start publishing articles and begin to release an ongoing stream of interesting and delicious recipes!
Thanks for being here. I’m so excited to share this with you. Let’s make outdoor cooking something to look forward to on every adventure and every season. Happy trails and happy eating!