LDEI Live Online:
Turning Culinary Passion into Food Tours
Via Zoom
APRIL 27, 2026, 12-1 p.m. Eastern Time
Curious about launching a culinary tour business? Join Les Dames d’Escoffier International for an LDEI Live Online conversation featuring Dames who design and lead culinary travel experiences around the world. In this practical, behind-the-scenes discussion, speakers will outline the essentials of building a successful food-focused tour—from developing an authentic itinerary and cultivating local partnerships to navigating logistics, pricing, and marketing. Panelists will also share lessons learned, common pitfalls to avoid, and the realities of working in the fast-growing culinary tourism sector. Whether you’re exploring a new business idea or expanding your culinary career, this session will offer valuable insight and inspiration.
Ghillie Başan is a renowned food writer, food anthropologist, and experience host whose work explores the cuisines and cultures of the Middle East, Turkey, Southeast Asia, and North Africa. The author of more than a dozen award-winning cookbooks, she has spent decades traveling, researching traditional foodways, and sharing them with global audiences. Başan leads immersive culinary experiences that introduce travelers to wild food, local ingredients, and world spices to create food to pair with whisky in the Scottish Highlands. Known for her deep cultural knowledge and engaging storytelling, she creates travel experiences that connect participants directly with the flavours of the land, the culinary heritage, and the stories that shape a region’s cuisine. She is an active member of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s London Chapter. Insta: @ghilliebasan.
https://www.ghilliebasan.com/
Julie Barreda Cavignac is the founder of Destination Kitchen Tours in New Orleans, a seasoned moderator, culinary professional, and communications expert with a passion for storytelling and global food culture. She's a tour operator, a host, curator, and cultural insider who leads with a high level of customer service from pre to post. With experience spanning hospitality, media, travel and brand strategy, she brings a thoughtful, engaging approach to guiding conversations that highlight diverse voices and perspectives. Cavignac has worked closely with chefs, food entrepreneurs, and travel professionals, making her especially well-suited to moderate a discussion on culinary tourism. Known for her ability to draw out meaningful insights and create dynamic dialogue, she helps audiences connect the dots between culture, cuisine, and the business of food. She is an active member of Les Dames d’Escoffier New Orleans Chapter. Insta: Julieinc_ and destination_kitchen; FB: Julie Cavignac, destination kitchen tours.
https://destination-kitchen.com/
Claudia Royston is the founder of Global Gourmands, a culinary travel company. Growing up as a child of immigrants, travel and international living have been the foundation of her lifetime of exploring. A junior year abroad in Munich grew into ten years in Europe, which included managing a hotel in central London. It was at Abercrombie & Kent where she first imagined journeys that went beyond tourist circuits — immersing travelers in cultures through food, wine, and authentic experiences led by experts in local food and wine. What began in 2018 as a single tour to Peru and Bolivia now spans four continents. Claudia is an active member of Les Dames d'Escoffier's Chicago chapter. Insta: @GlobalGourmands; FB: @GlobalGourmands
https://globalgourmands.com/
Lisa Stavropoulos is the founder of Greek Grape Wine Tours, a company specializing in immersive wine and culinary travel experiences throughout Greece. Drawing on her deep knowledge of Greek culture, gastronomy, and viticulture, she curates small-group journeys that connect travelers with local winemakers, chefs, and artisans. Her tours highlight regional food traditions, historic vineyards, and the stories behind Greece’s diverse wine heritage. Through thoughtfully designed itineraries, Stavropoulos introduces guests to both celebrated and lesser-known destinations, offering authentic encounters with Greece’s vibrant culinary landscape while supporting local producers and preserving traditional food and wine culture. She is also an active member of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Sonoma Chapter. Insta: @TheGreekGrape FB: @LisaJohnsonStavropoulos
https://greekgrapewinetours.com/
Logging in to Register
This program is open to both Dames and non-members!
Non-Members, simply click on the registration button below, complete the form, and pay the very affordable $20 fee.
How Dames access free registration for Live Online events: Click the registration link below and sign in as a member. Go to Events and click on Details and Registration for the event you want to attend. Follow the prompts to complete the registration.
How Dames sign in to the Member Center: Your username is the email address you have on file with LDEI. If you don't recall your password, or have never logged in before, click the Reset Password link on the member login page and an email will be sent to you immediately. Be sure to check your spam/junk folder because sometimes the emails end up there. Also, when registering online, an electronic confirmation will be automatically generated for you. Again, be sure to check your junk/spam folder for this email.
