Ciao Belissimo Gastronomads,

I've just finished my first culinary tour of Puglia. Some of this group I knew from previous tours, some I was related to and some were Peta tour 'virgins' – and together this was one of the most harmonious tours I have ever experienced. I was assisted by the wonderful Ali Pike (or Aleeee-son as they call her there) of Southern Visions Travel in Puglia and together we developed a special schedule for my tour, which was unique and far away from the well-trodden tourist circuit.

Bonjour Gastronomads

I have recently returned to my summer home in Uzès from the Basque tour – half on the Spanish side and half on the French side. Although many of my clients say they knew nothing about the Basque Country before joining my tour, it is an extremely popular tour and we already have bookings for next year. 

I first visited India in 2005 when I filmed documentaries on tea and spices for TVNZ. Subsequently, I was lured back by Robyn Bickford and Manav Garewal — who had become managers of the five-star resort Amanbagh in deepest darkest Rajasthan. Robyn suggested I host one of my culinary tours to India, basing it at Amanbagh. So in 2008 back I went to set up my first 10 day India tour, and I have visited every year since. 

I am beside myself with excitement and just bursting to tell you the BIG news... In February next year I'll be bringing you my first New Zealand Tour... and hopefully 10 of you lucky gastronomads will be along with me for the ride!

Here’s the word on Marrakech: it’s lush, affluent, ultra chic, has outrageously exotic restaurants and nightclubs, designer kaftans and sharp suits, funky jewelry and textiles, tagines, crab sushi, sexy North African cool and drop dead stylish accommodation. It’s one of the leading style capitals of the world. Forget hashish, back-packs, dodgy carpets and 3000 ways to do couscous – although they still exist in quaint time warp pockets – Marrakech has become a highly sophisticated and cosmopolitan Eurafrican lifestyle destination. 

Uzès trip - July 12th - 19th 2014

After we leave crowded, colourful Marrakech, I jump on a plane, fly to Marseilles and from there drive to Uzès in the South of France, half an hour from Avignon. My culinary tours business started in Uzès in 2006 and it is still our most chic destination. Uzès is one of the most beautiful towns in France and is famous for its outrageous Saturday market bursting with fresh produce - local Pelardon goat cheeses, tellines (baby pippies), Cevennes mountain lamb, olive oil, vegetables, wine - musicians, clothes, jewelry, pottery. Everyone seems to be in a good mood, the weather is warm and the mushrooms are wild.