Welcome to a wonderful new episode of Travel Connections. My special guest is a personal travel connection for me. On a sunny summer afternoon, my Family and I attended the most spectacular Gathering on a ranch called Rancho San Julian, just north of Santa Barabara. We enjoyed a delicious dinner as we sat at long ranch tables under the shady canopy of 150-year-old vines. It was just dreamy!
Elizabeth Poett is a seventh-generation cattle rancher, author of the bestselling cookbook The Ranch Table, and star-host of the cooking and Lifestyle show Ranch to Table, one of the founding shows of the Magnolia Network. Elizabeth was born and raised on Rancho San Julian, her family’s historic 14,000-acre cattle ranch on California’s Central Coast. In 2007, Elizabeth started Rancho San Julian Beef, a business selling her family’s ranch-raised, grass-fed beef directly to chefs and consumers. Her meats quickly became popular with California cooks and local chefs and have been served at restaurants across California. Elizabeth is also the author of the blog The Ranch Table and hosts a number of Ranch Table events, cooking workshops, educational events, and intimate farm-to-table meals throughout the year.
In this episode, you will hear all of the details of The Ranch Table from the lovely Elizabeth Poett.
Highlights in this Episode!
- What is the origin of The Ranch Table?
- How does Elizabeth inspire people to have fun in the kitchen?
- Why cooking doesn’t have to be perfect
- How her cookbook was a year-long journey created right on the ranch
- What happens at a Gathering at Rancho San Julian? Hint: It’s fantastic and delicious!
- How farmer’s markets influenced Elizabeth’s passion for cooking
- How our connection through food brings people together
- The 2025 dates for Gatherings at Rancho San Julian with Elizabeth Poett
Related Episode
A California Road Trip Through the Central Coast – A companion episode to the interview with Elizabeth Poett. In this episode, I share the road trip itinerary that was created around our dinner at The Ranch Table.
Important Links:
The Ranch Table
Travel Connections Podcast
Adventures of Empty Nesters
Instagram:
Elizabeth Poett
Suzanne Stavert
Adventures of Empty Nesters
Facebook:
Adventures of Empty Nesters
Suzanne’s Amazon Shop
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Suzanne Stavert is a podcast host, travel writer, brand ambassador, and culinary explorer who inspires empty nesters—and anyone with a sense of adventure—to explore the world with curiosity and joy. She is the creator of AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com, a travel and lifestyle website that has evolved into partnerships with top brands and destinations around the globe.
Suzanne also created and hosts the podcast Travel Connections, where she interviews chefs, entrepreneurs, authors, and travel experts, sharing stories that connect people through travel, food, and culture. Through her company Travel Connections Tours, she leads small-group adventures in Tuscany, combining her lifelong love of Italy with authentic travel experiences.
A recognized expert in the Empty Nester Community, Suzanne has been recently featured on Good Morning America and USA Today and continues to share her passion for meaningful travel across six continents. One continent to go!
