The world of travel runs through my veins. I'm also a foodie. Those two things seem to go hand in hand. Somewhere in my early 20s I decided that I had to make a choice between a career in the travel industry or working as a chef. The world of travel won when TWA offered me a position selling tour packages to exotic world destinations. Of course, flying for nearly nothing in an empty open seat was the enticing benefit that greatly lended a hand in making my final decision. That job led me to 22 years in the industry working in all kinds of positions, ever growing my salary and, yes, I got to travel to many parts of the world.
But the work eventually became stagnant. I wanted to do something else. My desire to create beautiful meals, serve others and do it in a business of my very own was always there in the back of my mind. With a little divine intervention, I left a long-time position working for a travel information systems company to start my own business when an e-mail landed in my mailbox with the subject line "Business for Sale." Shortly thereafter, a $3600 check unexpectedly arrived in my mailbox. A little spiritual guidance, I'd say, letting me know it was time to follow my chef dreams!
Here I am, more than four years later, working happily in my business. I create dinner parties, do personal chef meal services, cater events large and small while dancing in the kitchen with new chef friends, play with kids teaching them to make healthy food from scratch, and provide foodies with new kitchen tricks when they take one of my cooking lessons.
When I'm in the next room and I hear happy chatter, I know the food is good. Add a little wine to the mix, and laughter fills the room! A wine and food pairing lesson, anyone? Can there be any better way to make a living?
I must admit, the past four years the spirits of the travel world have been nudging me. Once you've been bitten by the travel bug, there is no getting that venim out of your system. So, in December last year, I walked back into the doors of an airline company, part time. That means flying is back in my life. And experiencing foods in foreign lands is back!
Life is it's best when you can combine your loves. I do have a third love. That one is writing. Good or bad, it's something I love.
So, I plan to bring everything to you here in my blog. This is a new beginning for me. I'm thrilled to be where I am in my life. There will be no greater joy than to pass it all on to you! I hope to whet your appetite and create a fire in your belly for all things food, related to travel, and all things travel, related to food. Look out for restaurant reviews and new recipes from different parts of the world. And if there's a beautiful something else that I must share, look for that, too.
Travel. Eat well. Be Grateful.
See you in your travels!
Gabriella - The Happy Traveling Chef
