Gourmet Guide

For over a decade Elinor has organized luxury cooking trips to standout destinations in Europe, such as Julia Child's former home in the South of France. Or to the much-acclaimed, Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890 near Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Or to Paris, for behind-the-scenes culinary and cultural adventures on the Left Bank or occasionally crossing the Seine to dine at places such as the Michelin-starred Le Meurice. Chef Alain Ducasse is known for having more Michelin stars than any other restauranteur in France,

Coming up next, in fall 2019, Griffith Gourmet will head back to POPUP at the Don Alfonso 1890, a Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel — the sixth trip to this “must-visit” destination for food enthusiasts. A secret to the restaurant’s success, proclaims chef-owner Alfonso Iaccarino, is his family’s organic farm, La Peracciole. At the end of the Sorrentine Peninsula overlooking Capri, reached only via narrow, twisty roads built by the Romans high on the sun-kissed cliffs, this is the hotel’s fresh-off-the-vine pantry. Oranges and lemons, olive trees everywhere, artichokes, fava beans and plump San Marzano tomatoes… ready to be turned lovingly into elegant dishes. The family’s slogan is apt: “Quando il cibo è amore,” or when food is love!

And what an incredible week is planned: 2 gourmet meals -- a Degustazione and a Tradizione; breakfast, too, 3 cooking classes/lunches in the Don Alfonso’s state-of-the-art test kitchen and gloriously fun cultural activities. Such as a boat ride over to Capri.

One never knows who might be dining at the next table. Not long ago at the Don Alfonso, “Barefoot Contessa” Ina Garten was with her husband Jeffrey.

For a taste of Griffith Gourmet's latest trip to Italy, watch this video!

In a word, what's it like to cook in Julia Child's kitchen? "AWESOME" is the unanimous reply!

Stay tuned for plans for Griffith Gourmet to return to Julia Child's French country home, La Pitchoune, or “The Little Thing.” This is where Elinor has taken groups for years. Meanwhile, for an armchair tour of this culinary paradise, click on this link!

The incredible story of how Elinor ended up bringing foodies to cook in Julia's cozy kitchen... think Salmon en Papillote and Pavlovas with Red Berries... can be found in her book, The Virtues of Cooking.)

Griffith Gourmet will gladly organize custom trips to France, Italy, Morocco or elsewhere.

DESCRIBED AS "THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME," GRIFFITH GOURMET OFFERS A TASTE OF A COUNTRY'S BEST FOOD... IN ITALY, FRANCE AND ELSEWHERE.

Join Elinor in 2020....

May 10 - 16, Popup in Portugal, Cost $4200 pp/double

For starters, this is not your typical culinary and cultural tour…. You will stay at Casa da Calcada, a former 16th century palace, loaded with Portuguese history, that’s now a 5-star Relais and Chateaux property; this will be your luxurious base for 4 nights while exploring the historic city of Porto and the rich viniculture of the area. You’ll also dine at three very exclusive Michelin-starred restaurants:

Jose Avillez’s Belcanto, in Lisbon, ranked #42 on the World Best 50 Restaurants
The Yeatman, in Porto, with what’s considered the most incredible view over Porto and the Duoro River
Also the Casa da Calcada's much feted, Michelin-starred restaurant, Largo do Pico

For more delicious details, including cool activities in Lisbon, check out the flyer.

Oct 13 - 19, 2019, Popup on the Amalfi, Cost $4200

Luxuriate for a week at the Don Alfonso 1890, a charming Relais & Chateaux property overlooking the Bay of Naples and Mt. Vesuvius, with a fabulous Michelin-starred restaurant. And guess what? It was named Best Italian Restaurant 2017 by TripAdvisor's Travelers Choice Awards.

To read more about the culinary adventures on the Amalfi Coast, click here.