Whether you’re a Food Network devotee or just a casual viewer, you have likely seen Kardea Brown joyfully wrangling a cast of young stars on Baking Championship: Next Gen. But the South Carolinian has also been racking up the miles: Last fall, she accepted not one but two Daytime Emmy Awards for her show Delicious Miss Brown, and then hit the road on a book tour for her second cookbook, Make Do with What You Have. She also opened Kardea Brown’s Southern Kitchen, a restaurant set within the Charleston International Airport. Here, she shares her go-to road trip snacks and advice for embracing adventure.
Describe your travel approach in one word.
Intentional. I like to know why I’m going somewhere. It usually involves food, culture, and good people.
Do you have a similar approach to your packing style?
Yes—edited but prepared. I plan outfits according to activities, with a second choice just in case.
Best travel advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t overplan. Leave room to wander. The best meals I’ve ever had weren’t on an itinerary.
Favorite mode of transportation?
A good old-fashioned road trip. Windows down, music up, snacks within reach.
Favorite road trip snack?
Boiled peanuts, a sweet and spicy trail mix, and something sweet, of course. You need balance!
Favorite Southern city?
Charleston, South Carolina, will always have my heart, but I love the splendor of Atlanta, too.
What place has inspired you the most creatively?
Belize. The flavors, the markets, the way food is treated like love. It reminded me so much of the Sea Islands.
Where do you go for fun?
New Orleans. The music, the food, the energy—it’s unmatched.
Favorite hotel in the world?
Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen.
Where are you traveling next?
I’m headed to the Cayman Islands for my one-year wedding anniversary.
Rapid-fire!
Carry-on or checked? Both.
Aisle or window? Window.
Hotel or rental? Hotel.
Planned to the hour or spontaneous adventure? Planned, but with spontaneous moments.
Grace Roberts, a 2025 intern at Garden & Gun, grew up in Pennington, New Jersey, and graduated from the University of St Andrews.
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