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Our Staff
David Iverson, Big Cheese
David, founder and owner of A Cook's Tour, escorts a number of tours each year. He has maintained a life-long interest in food and travel and began the company to share his passion for discovering the world through its food and wine cultures.
Mary Stewart, Tour Escort
Mary Stewart’s history is rich with experience in food and travel. She is happiest when helping our guests learn about the food and wine of Italy. Mary makes her home on Bainbridge Island near Seattle.
Lynette Berriochoa, Tour Escort
Lynette leads tours to Italy and delights in helping guests discover and enjoy the rich and historic Italian culture, which naturally revolve around food and wine! Lynette’s home base is in Boise, Idaho.
Hallie Pasko, Tour Escort
Hallie has a passion for good food, wine, and travel. She is an accomplished cook with an extensive background in the world of food, including writing cookbooks, teaching classes, and working for Cuisinart and Krups. Hallie lives in Colorado.
Janet Danielson, Administrative Assistant
Janet enjoys the travel business, working for David and A Cook’s Tour, and talking with clients about the fabulous food and wine adventures.
Jan Weaver Marshall
Jan has worked in the food industry for 30 years, part of which was spent as owner and manager of a specialty cheese shop. She loves the world of food, wine and travel and enjoys sharing them with family and friends. Jan lives on a houseboat in Seattle.
John Norden
John has a passion for fine foods and wines from around the world. He has traveled extensively and his love of Italian cuisine will make for a very pleasant and fun-filled experience. John lives in Seattle and also has family in Pescara, on Italy's east coast.
Kathleen Cavalier
Kathleen has a wealth of experience as a culinary professional and has lived in Italy, Mexico and Spain. She has cooked for some of the top names in business and entertainment. When she is not on the road with our tours, she divides her time between Southern California, Mexico and Atlanta.
Culinary Instructors
| Italy: |
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Matia Barciulli is Executive Chef at Osteria di Passignano, one of Tuscany's finest restaurants. His creativity is renowned, and his personality is expansive. Lessons with Matia are joyously fun!
Rinaldo Biraldi specializes in the food of Northern Italy and the Veneto.
Gianluca Pardini specializes in the food of Tuscany. He’ll both entertain and educate from start to finish.
Paolo Monti introduces food of the Mediterranean, namely Italy's Ligurian coast. He’ll take you on a “tour” of herbs and olive oils.
Antonia Montrucoli teaches Veronese-style cuisine. She is very thorough, very professional and takes great pride in introducing the complexities of cuisine of the region.
Serena Masari: Cooking lessons with Serena are delightful as she introduces us to traditional Tuscan fare.
Mario at Castello di Pavone teaches us how to cook with black and white truffles.
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| France: |
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Youcef Djellab teaches cooking techniques of Provence.
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| South Africa: |
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Frank Dangereux of restaurant La Colombe teaches Cape Town techniques.
Cass Abrahams teaches Cape Malay cuisine.
Margot Janse of Le Quartier Francais represents the genius of South African cuisine.
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| Mexico: |
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Alejandro Ruiz Olmeda manages the Casa Oaxaca boutique hotel and serves as executive chef of two of Oaxaca's leading restaurants. Alejandro has studied culinary arts
in Germany and Spain and brings a continental influence to the
traditional foods of Oaxaca.
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