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The Philosophy.
Travel is one of life’s most
important investments. With this in mind, we feel that
first hand experience is very important and we will
be experiencing all of the cooking schools that you’ll
be travelling to as well. Our promise to you: a top notch, flexible, authentic, intimate cooking experience, with lots of great food and wine. You can trust our expertise and advice…invest wisely.
The Travel.
My interest in travel started 24
years ago with the study of travel and tourism and I
now have 22 years experience in the travel industry
- 10 1⁄2 of them working for one of the most reputable
brands in the world – British Airways. That also
allowed me to travel to almost 40 countries, pursuing
my love of cultures and their cuisines.
My Travel Experiences.
CANADA:
7 Provinces
GREAT BRITAIN: England – (born & lived in Manchester), Scotland,
Wales, Ireland
EUROPE: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France
(lived in Paris), The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal,
Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Russia,
Hungary, Malta, Turkey
AFRICA:
Egypt, Morocco, South Africa
SOUTH AMERICA:
Argentina, Venezuela
SOUTH PACIFIC:
Australia, New Zealand, Fiji
SOUTH EAST ASIA: Thailand,
Hong Kong
ASIA:
Japan
CARIBBEAN:
Cuba, Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Puerto Rico, St Thomas (USVI), St Lucia (WI), St Kitts (WI), St. Maarten (NA)
CENTRAL AMERICA:
Costa Rica
MEXICO:
Cozumel, Tijuana
MIDDLE EAST:
United Arab Emirates
UNITED STATES:
18 States
The Kitchen.
From the time that I was little,
I always had an interest in cooking – watching
(especially sampling) as my mother prepared the family
meals. Although, to quote my mother, the food wasn't exactly gourmet cuisine “Us English were just well-done meat ‘n potatoes people.” I even recall watching the Galloping Gourmet …remember him? I probably learned more about how
to cook from the TV than in the kitchen, it was a brand
new concept with a ‘live-action’ cookbook.
Primarily because I enjoy savouring a well prepared
meal, through the years I have cultivated a keen interest
in good food! My first experience in a kitchen outside
of the home was at an historic site – Old Fort
William. I worked as an inte
rpreter and a cook in the
historic kitchen and bakery creating authentic meals
from the 1800’s.
 The First Taste.
I also spent some time living in
Paris, France where I worked for part of the time as
an ‘au pair’ (nanny) for a French film actress - Catherine Deneuve.
That was my first immersion into another culture and
it was an amazing gastronomic experience. I spent a
lot of time in the kitchen learning about Parisian and
Moroccan cuisine inspired by the Moroccan maid. My taste
buds were now fully awake, as I gained a true appreciation
for great food.
Wanting to pursue my interest, I started signing up
for cooking classes, both at home and abroad –
the Bonnie Stern School of Cooking was my first ‘in
class’ experience in Canada. I also experienced
my own Gourmet Safaris leaning about local cultures
whenever I travelled, knowing that food is such a large
part of it. While on my journeys I explored and experienced
hands-on cooking in Thailand, New Orleans and Barbados.
Without even trying, my extensive global cuisine cook
book library took shape, and I can’t help but
collect recipes. I guess it is obvious that my favourite
hobby is cooking - creating, perfecting recipes and
entertaining. As a founding member of a local Gourmet
Club, I always look forward to the next country’s
cuisine that we plan to explore. I have also been awarded a Certificate in Culinary Arts from George Brown College in Toronto. And I am the recipe contributor for the local SNAP Bloor West newspaper, capturing life & entertainment, as well as the monthly recipe contributor for Slow Food Toronto's 'Now In Season Recipe'.
I am also a member of the Slow Food Organization and the Women's Culinary Network based in Canada, an organization of more than 300 food professionals.
I was also the Chair of the BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING Gourmet Safari to Morocco charity event held in September 2006. A good time was had by all on the food adventure and $50,000 was raised. Thanks to the generous travellers, the money raised will ultimately fulfill the vision, to ensure that every child in Canada attends school well nourished and ready to learn. BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING is a non-profit organization,
dedicated to ensuring that every child in Canada attends school well nourished & ready to learn, it is the charity that I strongly support. A portion of the proceeds from every passenger on a Gourmet Safari culinary vacation will be contributed to BREAKFAST FOR LEARNING – a very special charity. Continue that good feeling and help support an important cause.
Wishing you unforgettable food
adventures!
Carpe diem.
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