Bespoke Culinary & Creative Retreats

a custom experience designed just for you

Dreaming of a culinary tour, creative retreat or photography workshop designed around your personal interests and timeline? I create bespoke travel experiences for groups of 2-10 guests. 

I currently lead custom experiences in Paris, Belgium, Lisbon, Porto and the Alentejo and Algarve regions of Portugal. Possible activities include:

• cooking classes

• market visits

• wine and beer tastings

• farm tours

• cheese tastings

• cultural walking tours

• meals in local restaurants

• photography expeditions

• visits to the studios of local makers

• coffee tours with cuppings

• picnics

• boat excursions

• meals in the homes of local chefs

• chocolate and pastry tastings

Contact me here for information on pricing and further details.

spring pop-up dinner in Lisbon

I am so excited to be teaming up with super talented cook and photographer Filipe Frazão to bring you a pop-up dinner in Lisbon on May 2nd!

We invite you to gather around our table in a celebration of springtime and of the sea. You will enjoy a leisurely 5-course meal cooked by Filipe and I drawing on Portugal’s bounty of lovingly grown produce and ultra-fresh seafood.

Image: Filipe Frazão

menu

jammy egg, aioli, crispy chorizo, asparagus

cured mackerel, coriander cream, pickled seaweed

roasted spring carrots, yogurt, spiced chickpeas, fresh herbs

crispy octopus, sweet potato purée, preserved lemon salsa

roasted strawberries, whipped goat cheese, toasted buckwheat, honey, olive oil

Image: Filipe Frazão

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the details...

Location:
Lisbon, Portugal (Address will be provided with ticket purchase.)

Food Allergies / Sensitivities:
We are able to provide pescatarian and gluten-free options. Unfortunately, no other dietary options are available for this dinner. Please let us know in advance if you need one of these dietary options.

Cancellation Policy: All tickets are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your reservation to someone else.

Date:
Thursday, May 2, 2019

Time:
Welcome cocktail served at 8.00pm

What:
4 courses of delicious, local and seasonal fare + drink pairings

Price:
$45 (approx. 40€)

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There are only 12 spots available. We hope you can join us!

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Questions? Drop us a line here.

late-fall pop-up dinner

It's pop-up time again!

The dinner I hosted with my friend Kyle in August was so much fun, we're teaming up to bring you another one! On December 10th, we'll be popping up in Fremont for an evening of good food, good wine and pre-holiday good cheer.

You'll start with a welcome cocktail, then sit down for a family-style meal featuring four courses of local, seasonal ingredients and accompanied by a selection of beautiful wines. I'm thinking I might even break out my vinyl collection for this one and spin some retro tunes to get you in the holiday spirit!

So whether you'll be observing Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, the winter solstice or your very own winter traditions, gather up your friends and fam and join us for this celebratory feast!

menu

first: duck confit, five-spice pickled cranberries, shaved turnip, olive oil

second: roasted squash and winter greens salad, pomegranate, feta, pepitas

third: salt-crusted beef rib roast, pears, hazelnut salsa

fourth: dark chocolate and chestnut tart, black currant, brandy whip

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the details...

Super Secret Location:
Fremont (Address will be provided with ticket purchase. We'll be indoors this time.)

Food Allergies / Sensitivities:
We are able to provide vegetarian and gluten-free options. (Yay!) 

Cancellation Policy: All tickets are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your reservation to someone else, but no refunds will be issued.

Date:
Saturday, December 10, 2016

Time:
Welcome cocktail served at 7.00pm

What:
4 courses of delicious, local and seasonal fare + drink pairings

Price:
$95

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Questions? Comments? Suggestions for future events?
Drop me a line here.

We hope to see you at our table!
xo,
Olaiya

pop-up dinner with Kyle Wisner of London Plane

This dinner is sold out! Sign up here for updates on future events. 

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It's finally here!

The most awesome Kyle Wisner and I are hosting a pop-up dinner on Saturday, August 6th and we'd love for you to join us!

For those of you who don't know Kyle, he currently runs the kitchen at The London Plane and has honed his skills cooking at Sitka & Spruce, The Corson Building and Le Pichet. He's a first-rate chef and a cool guy. I think you're going to like him!

Kyle and I will be preparing a seasonal, family-style meal and serving it to you under the summer stars. If you're going to be near Seattle on August 6, gather up your people and come sit at our table under the fruit trees for a leisurely evening of food, wine and new friends!

menu

first: honey and salted watermelon cocktail // local radishes, spicy butter, albacore

second: halibut crudo, pickled blackberries, radish, cilantro and lime 

third: charred globe zucchini, homemade ricotta, toasted barley, aleppo honey 

fourth: grilled lamb, heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, walnut sauce verte

fifth: grilled peaches, pistachio ice cream, peach sorbet, orange blossom meringue, fresh herbs

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the details...

Date:
Saturday, August 6, 2016

Time:
Welcome cocktail served at 5.30pm

What:
5 courses of delicious, local and seasonal fare + drink pairings

Price:
$85

Super Secret Location:
Seward Park / Columbia City (Address will be provided with ticket purchase.)

Food Allergies / Sensitivities:
We are able to provide vegetarian and gluten-free options. (Yay!) 

Cancellation Policy: All tickets are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your reservation to someone else, but no refunds will be issued.

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Questions? Comments? Suggestions for future events?
Drop me a line here.

We've got 20 seats available at our table.
I hope to see you there!
xo,
Olaiya

All images this page taken by Megan Gordon