Finding your way home: My Conversation with Chef Kieron Hales
/On this week’s episode of Tastes Like Somewhere, I had the absolute joy of sitting down with dear friend Kieron Hales, Chef and Managing Partner of Zingerman’s Cornman Farms — and if you know Kieron, you know that any conversation with him is going to be full of heart, humor, and a deep love for food.
📺 And don’t forget — you can watch the full episode and behind-the-scenes clips on our YouTube channel
Born and raised in Devon, England, Kieron has spent his life cooking across the globe, from Michelin-starred kitchens to the rustic countryside of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Cornman Farms now calls home. But what makes Kieron’s story so compelling isn’t just his impressive résumé — it’s the way he weaves together place, flavor, and memory in everything he does.
In our chat, we talked about:
Rooted in Storytelling — How Cornman Farms isn’t just a venue, but a living, breathing story about community, hospitality, and sustainability.
A Chef’s Journey — From cooking for royalty to creating a place where anyone can feel at home.
What “Somewhere” Means — How the flavors of childhood, travel, and tradition shape the way we
experience food today.
The Power of Gathering — Why shared meals connect us, heal us, and remind us of what truly matters.
It was one of those conversations where you walk away inspired — not just about food, but about how we live, connect, and savor the world around us.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a space where hospitality meets heart, this episode is for you.
I can’t wait for you to hear this one. Kieron’s passion is contagious, and I think you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the stories behind every meal — and maybe even a craving for one of his legendary farm dinners.
Stay tuned for more episodes of Tastes Like Somewhere as we keep exploring the intersection of taste, tradition, and terroir with chefs, winemakers, farmers, and storytellers from around the world.
What is the Tastes Like Somewhere Podcast?
Tastes Like Somewhere is a podcast where flavor meets memory, tradition, and terroir. Hosted by Kristie Brablec, Managing Partner of Zingerman’s Food Tours, each episode invites listeners into the kitchens, farms, and vineyards of the world’s most delicious places—introducing the people who grow, cook, and preserve the flavors that define a region.
With a deep love of travel and connection to the land, Kristie brings a seasoned guide’s perspective to every story. The daughter of an airline pilot and a farmer, Kristie grew up with a curiosity for culture and a taste for adventure. Whether cooking gulyás over an open fire in Hungary or watching wheels of Parmesan come to life in Italy, she finds inspiration in the people and traditions behind every bite.
Since joining Zingerman’s over two decades ago, and becoming a partner in 2018, Kristie has designed and led immersive food tours across the globe. Now, through Tastes Like Somewhere, she shares those experiences in a new way, bridging listeners along on a journey that’s part storytelling, part travelogue, and entirely delicious.
Tastes Like Somewhere is a project of Zingerman’s Food Tours, part of the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses in Ann Arbor, Michigan. What began in 1982 as a single deli has grown into a collection of independently owned businesses with shared values and a commitment to great food, great service, and the local community.
What is Zingerman’s Food Tours?
Zingerman’s Food Tours takes you behind the scenes to the source of amazing food and people from Denmark, Morocco, Italy, and more! Together we’ll venture off the beaten path, where local cuisine provides a direct connection to the history of a region, the soul of its people, and the rhythm of daily life.
Discover your next culinary adventure at zingermansfoodtours.com. We would love to travel with you!
Warmly,
Kristie Brablec
Managing Partner, Zingerman’s Food Tours
www.zingermansfoodtours.com
