Recognized Culinary Travel Leaders 2025

Passionate traveller and co-founder of CheckinAway.com, where I share detailed reviews and guides for upscale hotels and unique destinations. Exploring the world one trip at a time—here to share insights and help you plan unforgettable adventures!

Christina Gales is a luxury travel advisor and founder of Christina Gales Travel, a boutique travel consultancy specializing in European itineraries, Caribbean escapes, elevated family travel, milestone celebrations, and luxury ocean and river cruises. A Fora and Virtuoso-affiliated advisor based outside Chicago, Christina has planned hundreds of trips across 20+ countries and serves over 100 clients nationwide. With extensive destination training across Europe, the Caribbean, Iceland, Hawaii, and Mexico—plus specialist certifications in luxury travel, cruise planning, and ecotourism—she brings both breadth and depth to every journey. Her preferred status with 8,500+ hotels, resorts, and cruise lines globally allows her to secure exclusive perks and VIP experiences for clients. As both a travel professional and mother of five, Christina is frequently sought after for her expertise in family travel strategy, multi-generational trip design, and making luxury travel approachable for real families. She speaks regularly on European travel planning, destination trends, the psychology of travel, and the shift toward meaningful, purpose-driven travel experiences. Her itineraries favor local culture, boutique hospitality, and personalized experiences over mass-market tourism. Known for her warm, collaborative approach and concierge-level support, Christina helps travelers feel confident, connected, and inspired—from dream to departure to memories that last a lifetime

I am a Certified Sommelier offering expert wine tasting, pairing, and more. I have contributed to many articles for Sommelier quotes, pairings, and more. I also am a certified Olive Oil Sommelier, and specialize in olive oil and wine pairings, olive oil recipes, mixology, as well as polyphenols and health of olive oil.

I’m the Founder & Managing Director of Eating Europe, where I’ve been helping travelers discover Europe’s food, culture, and local life since 2011. My journey started when I moved to Rome in 2009 and fell in love with how food was woven into daily life. What began as casual walks through my neighborhood — introducing friends to the local butcher, gelato maker, and chefs — grew into food tours that offer travelers authentic, personal connections to the cities they visit. Since then, I’ve worked closely with local chefs, artisans, and small businesses across Europe to create immersive food experiences in cities like Rome, Lisbon, Amsterdam, and London. My expertise is in European food culture, culinary traditions, and experiential travel — showing people how food can tell the real story of a place and its people. Topics I can speak to: European food culture & traditions Experiential travel & food tourism How food connects people to place Building authentic food experiences Local food scenes in Rome, Lisbon, Amsterdam, London, and more

Jen is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of Peel with Zeal, a food and recipe website focused on bold, approachable recipes and practical cooking know-how. She specializes in gluten-free cooking without compromise, emphasizing big flavor, smart techniques, and realistic home cooking. Jen has been featured in national publications and works with brands as a recipe developer, food writer, and culinary educator.

I help couples, families, and busy professionals plan luxury travel without the stress. Specialties: destination weddings, honeymoons, all-inclusive vacations, and family trips. Based in Toledo, Ohio. My website is bit.ly/lisaschictravel

I’m a chef, entrepreneur, and educator with more than two decades of experience at the intersection of food, wine, agave spirits, and travel. As the founder of Marcus Guiliano Productions and chef-owner of Aroma Thyme Bistro, I’ve built award-winning hospitality concepts rooted in real food, direct sourcing, and deep relationships with producers. My work extends beyond the kitchen. I lead immersive wine and agave experiences through VIP Winery Vacations, taking guests inside vineyards, cellars, and distilleries most travelers never access. I’ve personally visited hundreds of wineries across Europe, the United States, and Mexico, and I continue to study and document traditional agave production alongside master distillers. Through education, writing, speaking, and hosting, I focus on helping people understand what they’re drinking and eating — not just consuming it. Whether I’m teaching professionals, hosting travelers, or building hospitality brands, my goal is the same: to elevate taste, transparency, and connection from source to glass.

Whether the product I have been selling for over 10 years in aviation or restaurant business for both B2B and B2C, I searched for the answer to a simple question: "What do they need to buy my product?" Thanks to my advanced knowledge of MS Excel, after I understand, analyze, and visualize the data, I begin by emerging with market, market share and target segments. Then, I create the communication plan by highlighting the features that I will communicate with the product according to the needs and access channels of each segment. I make optimum use of the marketing budget given to me by making ROI calculations of marketing tools such as paid search, social media ads, incentives, etc.. After getting the permanent residence and work permit from the Canadian government, I want to move my experience and skills to Canada. Thanks to my fluent English and French, I look forward to exceeding new goals.

My name is Kristen and I have traveled, lived and worked all across the globe for over a decade. In 2013, after nearly a decade building a career in corporate marketing in NYC, I left it all behind to travel solo across 3 continents and 26 countries. From there I became a scuba diving instructor, and spent the next 10 years living and working in Thailand, Mexico, St. Croix and Florida. In 2017, I was voted PADI's Inspiring Woman Diver of the Year. Beginning in 2024 I joined Fora as a luxury travel planner and have launched my own travel brand and blog, Dear Destination Travel, so that I could help inspire others to make their travel dreams and goals come to life. I have now traveled to 6 continents and over 35 countries. My website, deardestinationtravel.com, is a complete travel resource and inspiration hub.

Iesha Vincent is a travel and lifestyle content creator and freelance journalist with a passion for storytelling rooted in attainable luxury, meaningful experiences, and modern family living. She is an active contributor for Yahoo and MSN, where she covers travel, lifestyle, fashion, and consumer trends, delivering engaging, SEO-driven content that resonates with everyday audiences seeking elevated yet accessible experiences. With features and contributions in major publications including Business Insider, Huffington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Post, and more, Iesha brings a strong editorial background and a results-focused approach to digital media. Her work blends real-world insight with professional storytelling, making her a trusted voice for brands, tourism boards, and media outlets alike. Iesha specializes in family-friendly travel, luxury and mid-range destinations, lifestyle trends, fashion, wellness, and experiential storytelling. Through her platform LivingLesh, she creates visually compelling, informative content that connects audiences to destinations, products, and experiences in an authentic and aspirational way. Journalists value Iesha for her timely responses, media-ready insights, and ability to provide expert commentary on travel trends, consumer behavior, content creation, and lifestyle topics. She is available for expert quotes, press trips, feature contributions, brand collaborations, and editorial partnerships.

Yunna Takeuchi is Co-founder and CXO of City Unscripted, a platform that connects travelers with local hosts for authentic, personalized city experiences. Based in the UK, Yunna has played a pivotal role in building City Unscripted into a leading travel experience platform that moves beyond traditional tourism to offer genuine local insights and connections. As CXO, Yunna focuses on crafting exceptional user experiences that bridge the gap between travelers seeking authentic adventures and locals passionate about sharing their cities. Her leadership has been instrumental in developing City Unscripted's unique approach to travel, emphasizing meaningful cultural exchange and personalized exploration over conventional sightseeing. Yunna's vision for reimagining how people experience new destinations has helped establish City Unscripted as an innovative force in the travel industry, connecting curious travelers with knowledgeable locals across multiple cities worldwide.

Sue Calvert is the founder of Sojourns With Sue, a travel blog and YouTube channel inspiring women over 50 to embrace solo travel with confidence, humor, and curiosity. She covers solo adventures across Europe and the U.S., with a special love for big-city energy and the charm of small-town escapes. By blending safety advice, practical tips, and a touch of wit, Sue helps midlife women discover destinations, hotels, and strategies that make traveling alone not only doable but deeply rewarding.

Bespoke luxury travel & VIP concierge services. Creating extraordinary journeys worldwide with multiple certification programs.

Hey there! I'm Jessica, the developer, photographer, and writer of The Forked Spoon. Self-taught in all fields of blogging, I received my Bachelor's degree in MCD Biology from UC Santa Cruz. After a year of traveling through SE Asia and Europe, I discovered my passion for photography, travel, and good food. You can find me around Sacramento, CA, chasing after my spirited toddler, cooking, and dreaming about my next travel adventure. The Forked Spoon is a recipe website focusing on easy, family-friendly healthy recipes. My goal, always, is to keep The Forked Spoon real and relatable. Long-term, my goal is to combine my two great loves, food and travel, into a cultural cookbook where I share my travel stories, photos, and favorite recipes from all over the world.

I’m the founder and on-the-ground host at Our Dolce Vita, an all-inclusive Italy tour operator for U.S. travelers. I provide quote-ready insights on Italy trip planning, itineraries, seasons, logistics, pricing, family travel, and what “all-inclusive” really means on the ground. I also work closely with travel advisors and specialize in Northern Italy, Tuscany, and Sicily. Based in Italy.

Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN, is a distinguished culinary nutrition expert and thought leader who seamlessly bridges the worlds of professional cooking and nutritional science. As a classically trained chef and registered dietitian, she has established herself as a preeminent voice in plant-forward cuisine and innovative food education. With multiple award-winning cookbooks and a robust media presence, Newgent has emerged as a highly sought-after authority in culinary nutrition and wellness. A respected industry influencer, Jackie serves on the Forbes Health advisory board and leverages her extensive expertise as a national media personality and contributor to national health platforms like U.S. News & World Report. Her professional journey includes an impressive tenure as a chef instructor at the prestigious Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. Currently, she continues to shape culinary education as an instructor at The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica and through her private teaching. Newgent's professional portfolio extends beyond traditional roles, serving as a nutrition coach for My Peak Challenge and a strategic culinary nutrition advisor to major food companies and emerging plant-centered businesses. Her multifaceted approach to nutrition and cooking has positioned her as a unique and influential professional who is reshaping how we understand the intersection of food, health, and sustainability. Based in Los Angeles, Jackie continues to inspire and educate through her dynamic work across media, education, and culinary innovation.

Founder of SkipTheLine.Tickets, a travel comparison site focused on skip-the-line and fast-track tickets for major attractions worldwide. Specializes in entry systems, wait times, ticket types, and when skip-the-line access is or isn’t worth it for travelers.

Chef Timothy Brice is a Southern California–based private chef, writer, and culinary creative known for his ingredient-driven approach to modern California cuisine. As the founder of Taking Stock Private Chefs and Catering, Brice blends Mediterranean and live-fire techniques with a focus on seasonality, storytelling, and craft. With more than two decades of experience cooking for restaurants, large catering companies (Wolfgang Puck and others), private clients, baseball stadiums, and retreat centers across Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and the California coast, Brice has earned a reputation for food that feels both elevated and deeply personal. His work draws inspiration from the region’s farmers, artisans, and coastline, and from culinary influences like Chez Panisse, Zuni Café, and Gjelina. Chef Brice frequently speaks on topics including the radicalism of home cooking in times of need, seasonal cooking, culinary entrepreneurship, creative reinvention, and the evolving role of chefs as storytellers.

I am a storyteller. I tell stories to entertain, educate, transform, and inspire as I travel the US in my fifth-wheel Jayco. Let me help you move forward in today's world of SEO-driven content that must also tell a passionate story.As a B2B and B2C content marketing writer, I find the best way to help you tell your story, share your message, and build connections with your clients and customers. I specialize in business, executive profiles, travel & tourism, hospitality, wine, technology, and education. I bring three decades of content writing and journalism expertise to every project. Whether it's long-form content, social media, blog articles, marketing collateral, or landing pages, I have the expertise to research and write what you need. I specialize in creating personable and professional executive profiles.I always provide clean, accurate, well-researched copy. Clients include Subspace, Foundation, Mind & Metrics, Kestrel Strategy, Lifestyle Publications, UTDallas, Northcentral University, State Farm, Hotchkiss Insurance, Where Arizona, WHERE Phoenix+Scottsdale, Rocky Mountaineer, Travelocity, Alamo, Fairmont Hotels, Experience Scottsdale, AAA, Grapevine (TX) Convention & Visitor Bureau, Richman Media Group, APL Media, Modern Luxury, Montage, Marriott, Expedia, AOL Travel, American Airlines, and more. I am also founder and editor-in-chief of WanderWithWonder.com, an award-winning digital publication. We received a 2021 SATW Thomas Lowell Award for Best Travel Journalism Website. At Wander, we cover travel, food, wine, lifestyles, and wellness.