About Me

I’m Joy — a travel advisor and writer who’s spent most of my life chasing great stories and even better meals.

I learned about food from the inside out: over a decade working in the front and back of house of restaurants taught me that food is how strangers become friends, and that a well-run service can feel like watching magic happen in real time.

Then came two decades of an online family specialty food business. We sourced foods like aged balsamic vinegar from Modena, rare spices from Spain, Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Tuscany, and hand-harvested salts from Slovenia. Most importantly, we taught home cooks that a single ingredient could transform an ordinary Tuesday dinner into something worth remembering.

When we closed the business, I realized I’d been curating experiences all along. So I took that work on the road. Now I design custom trips and small-group retreats for people who want to *taste* a place, not just photograph it — cooking alongside local chefs, learning to read a market like a resident, lingering over lunch in family-run trattorias where nonna still rolls the gnocchi by hand.

As a certified FORA travel advisor, I design itineraries that focus on culinary immersion—market tours with local guides, cooking classes that teach technique, meals at family-run restaurants where the recipes haven’t changed in generations. However, I can book anything. Planes, trains, hotels, cruises, you name it.

Because I have mobility challenges, I trained in accessible travel to better accommodate people with disabilities, like myself.

My approach to both travel and culinary experiences is built upon my background in story analysis, theatre, and film. Every destination has a story. Every meal is part of it. My job is to help you experience that story firsthand—through the markets, tables, kitchens, and people who keep traditions alive.

When I’m not planning trips or hosting retreats, you will find me writing or in the kitchen, recreating dishes from my travels. My Substacks, Food for Thought, that explores the profound connections between food, culture, community, and The Narrative, a travel inspiration newsletter. I collaborate with brands, restaurants, and tourism boards on content, strategy, and storytelling that truly resonates with audiences.

If you’re looking for travel that goes deeper than the guidebook—whether that’s a custom itinerary, a curated retreat, or just someone who understands food—let’s talk.