Richard
Gruica
CEO – Chief Eating Officer
Chef Richard Gruica is a culinary visionary, restaurateur, and founder of The Gourmet Vacation, a boutique travel company offering curated culinary journeys worldwide. With a passion for gastronomy, Chef Richard crafts immersive experiences that blend culture, cuisine, and luxury. His meticulous itineraries showcase the unique flavors and traditions of each destination, providing guests with unforgettable culinary adventures.
In addition to The Gourmet Vacation, Chef Richard, is also the founder of Good Eats and Meets, Meetup’s largest gastronomic group in the world, with groups in 7 cities covering 2 continents and hundreds of thousands of members, as well as the founder of The Gypsy Table, a roaming pop-up culinary series combining the best chefs, the best local ingredients in the most unique of locations, and is a seasoned restaurateur. In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Richard is a talented writer and photographer. Through captivating storytelling and stunning imagery, he shares the essence of his culinary adventures, inspiring others to explore the intersection of food, culture, and travel.
With a diverse range of talents and a commitment to excellence, Richard Gruica continues to redefine culinary travel. Through The Gourmet Vacation, he invites guests to embark on unforgettable journeys that tantalize the senses and nourish the soul, showcasing the best of the world’s culinary landscape in the style they deserve.
Pack your bags and your appetite because we’re heading to the Emerald Isle for an unforgettable culinary adventure! From March 23rd to March 30th, 2025, join @ChefSarahMcClure of @southsidesmokehouselandrum on Chef Sarah’s Sights, Bites & Sips Tour of Ireland: A Culinary Journey.
Prepare for a week filled with flavor, fun, and a deep dive into Ireland’s rich culture. Think traditional and modern Irish dishes that’ll make your taste buds sing, perfectly paired with the smoothest Irish whiskey. Add live local music, visits with master artisans, and a generous dose of Irish charm, and you’ve got the recipe for an unforgettable adventure.
Hosted and expertly curated by @chefrichardgruica for @TheGourmetVacation , this tour promises to be seamless, immersive, and packed with memories you’ll cherish forever.
Come for the sights, stay for the bites, and toast to new friendships! Who’s ready for this epic journey? Let’s make some magic in Ireland together! Got to www.thegourmet vacation.com for all the details.
Pack your bags and your appetite because we’re heading to the Emerald Isle for an unforgettable culinary adventure! From March 23rd to March 30th, 2025, join @ChefSarahMcClure of @southsidesmokehouselandrum on Chef Sarah’s Sights, Bites & Sips Tour of Ireland: A Culinary Journey.
Prepare for a week filled with flavor, fun, and a deep dive into Ireland’s rich culture. Think traditional and modern Irish dishes that’ll make your taste buds sing, perfectly paired with the smoothest Irish whiskey. Add live local music, visits with master artisans, and a generous dose of Irish charm, and you’ve got the recipe for an unforgettable adventure.
Hosted and expertly curated by @chefrichardgruica for @TheGourmetVacation , this tour promises to be seamless, immersive, and packed with memories you’ll cherish forever.
Come for the sights, stay for the bites, and toast to new friendships! Who’s ready for this epic journey? Let’s make some magic in Ireland together! Got to www.thegourmet vacation.com for all the details.
Got to enjoy a breakfast of only local products made right here in Dara, an ancient village near Mardin, with feline company as well. After, we explored the ancient Necropolis full of stunning rock-carved tombs, underground cisterns, and ruins from the Roman and Byzantine eras.
Set against rolling hills, Dara is like going back in time, a true hidden gem which @thegourmetvacation guests will love to visit.
Got to enjoy a breakfast of only local products made right here in Dara, an ancient village near Mardin, with feline company as well. After, we explored the ancient Necropolis full of stunning rock-carved tombs, underground cisterns, and ruins from the Roman and Byzantine eras.
Set against rolling hills, Dara is like going back in time, a true hidden gem which @thegourmetvacation guests will love to visit.
Housed in a historic family estate in Mardin, Turkey @zamarot1890 is more than just a restaurant—it’s an exquisite blend of heritage, artistry, and innovation. The space itself enchants with its timeless beauty, but it’s Chef @ebrubaybarademir creations that truly leave you in awe.
With a bold approach to traditional Turkish ingredients, Chef Ebru masterfully reinvents classic dishes, transforming them into masterpieces that surprise and delight. Each plate is a work of art, echoing the elegance of the dining room while bursting with rich, unforgettable flavors.
This is not just a meal; it’s a reimagining of Regional Turkish cuisine, where past, present and future come together in perfect harmony. @thegourmetvacation
Housed in a historic family estate in Mardin, Turkey @zamarot1890 is more than just a restaurant—it’s an exquisite blend of heritage, artistry, and innovation. The space itself enchants with its timeless beauty, but it’s Chef @ebrubaybarademir creations that truly leave you in awe.
With a bold approach to traditional Turkish ingredients, Chef Ebru masterfully reinvents classic dishes, transforming them into masterpieces that surprise and delight. Each plate is a work of art, echoing the elegance of the dining room while bursting with rich, unforgettable flavors.
This is not just a meal; it’s a reimagining of Regional Turkish cuisine, where past, present and future come together in perfect harmony. @thegourmetvacation
Get Ready to Feast and Explore on Chef Bruno’s Epic Peruvian Adventure
From July 12–19, 2025, join Charlotte Chef Bruno Macchiavello @bmm1976 (@vivachicken @yuntanikkei) for an unforgettable journey back to his Peruvian roots. Partnering with ME and (@thegourmetvacation), this adventure promises to be a flavor-packed exploration of Peru’s culinary soul.
✨ Taste the magic: Wander Lima’s lively markets and indulge in iconic Peruvian dining.
✨ Live the culture: Cook hands-on with Chef Bruno and discover the stories behind the flavors.
✨ Explore the wonder: From vibrant Lima to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, experience Peru’s breathtaking landscapes and traditions.
🌟 This isn’t just a trip—it’s your passport to a once-in-a-lifetime Peruvian odyssey.
📅 Don’t just dream about it—be part of it! DM me or visit thegourmetvacation.com for more details.
Get Ready to Feast and Explore on Chef Bruno’s Epic Peruvian Adventure
From July 12–19, 2025, join Charlotte Chef Bruno Macchiavello @bmm1976 (@vivachicken @yuntanikkei) for an unforgettable journey back to his Peruvian roots. Partnering with ME and (@thegourmetvacation), this adventure promises to be a flavor-packed exploration of Peru’s culinary soul.
✨ Taste the magic: Wander Lima’s lively markets and indulge in iconic Peruvian dining.
✨ Live the culture: Cook hands-on with Chef Bruno and discover the stories behind the flavors.
✨ Explore the wonder: From vibrant Lima to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, experience Peru’s breathtaking landscapes and traditions.
🌟 This isn’t just a trip—it’s your passport to a once-in-a-lifetime Peruvian odyssey.
📅 Don’t just dream about it—be part of it! DM me or visit thegourmetvacation.com for more details.
Jenny
McCord
CIO – Chief Imbibing Officer
Meet Jenny McCord: adventurer, polyglot, and culinary enthusiast with a penchant for turning every journey into a feast for the senses. As a retired Air Force flight nurse, she has traveled the globe, savoring diverse cuisines and embracing cultural connections. Jenny’s love of food began in the Wyoming wilderness, where she learned the art of improvisation by crafting meals for 12 hungry teenagers using only a two-burner stove. Since then, her culinary path has led her from the Michelin-starred restaurants of Spain’s Basque Country to vibrant Kenyan markets, and even to Alaska’s rugged subsistence lifestyle, where she harvested her own fish and game.
Jenny’s background in cultural anthropology and international studies enriches her unique ability to bridge cultures through food. Her passion for sharing hidden gems, crafting unforgettable experiences, and connecting people has shaped her role as a co-guide for The Gourmet Vacation, leading tours across Croatia, Spain, and beyond. With a love for wine, outdoor adventures, and the artistry of cooking, she creates moments that inspire joy, nourish the soul, and celebrate the universal language of flavor.
Now living in the Haute-Savoie region of France, Jenny continues to explore terroir-driven cuisine and is planning future food and wine tours in the French Alps. Whether hiking, cycling, or diving, she balances her indulgence in the world’s finest foods with an active, adventurous lifestyle.
For Jenny, food is more than sustenance—it’s a universal love language that inspires connection, creativity, and joy. Every shared table is an opportunity to connect, inspire, and create lasting memories.
William
Torrillo
🐟 Hook & Cook meets the Gypsy Table on Levan, a small island just a short boat ride from Medulin in Southern Istria. It was so much fun meeting everyone and trying some delicious seafood dishes. For more fun foodie adventures check out @thegourmetvacation
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#croatia #travel #dubrovnik #nature #summer #sea #croatiafulloflife #zagreb #love #photography #chef #instagood #photooftheday #hrvatska #travelgram #vacation #europe #instatravel #beach #wanderlust #picoftheday #travelblogger #tlpicks #bhphoto #nikon #nikonnofilter #foodie #cheflife
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photos by @wiiiam.a
📍 Levan Island, Croatia
🐟 Hook & Cook meets the Gypsy Table on Levan, a small island just a short boat ride from Medulin in Southern Istria. It was so much fun meeting everyone and trying some delicious seafood dishes. For more fun foodie adventures check out @thegourmetvacation
♡
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#croatia #travel #dubrovnik #nature #summer #sea #croatiafulloflife #zagreb #love #photography #chef #instagood #photooftheday #hrvatska #travelgram #vacation #europe #instatravel #beach #wanderlust #picoftheday #travelblogger #tlpicks #bhphoto #nikon #nikonnofilter #foodie #cheflife
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photos by @wiiiam.a
📍 Levan Island, Croatia
One of my favorite parts of working with @thegourmetvacation is tasting all this amazing food ♥️
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#croatia #travel #dubrovnik #nature #summer #sea #croatiafulloflife #zagreb #love #photography #chef #instagood #photooftheday #hrvatska #travelgram #vacation #beautiful #travelphotography #europe #instatravel #travelblogger #tlpicks #bhphoto #nikon #nikonnofilter #foodie #wine #winetasting #vineyard #foodporn
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photos by @wiiiam.a
📍Orebić, Croatia
One of my favorite parts of working with @thegourmetvacation is tasting all this amazing food ♥️
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#croatia #travel #dubrovnik #nature #summer #sea #croatiafulloflife #zagreb #love #photography #chef #instagood #photooftheday #hrvatska #travelgram #vacation #beautiful #travelphotography #europe #instatravel #travelblogger #tlpicks #bhphoto #nikon #nikonnofilter #foodie #wine #winetasting #vineyard #foodporn
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photos by @wiiiam.a
📍Orebić, Croatia
Anguilla sunsets 🌞 @anguilla_tourism @fsanguilla
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#WakeUpWithFS #DreamWithFS #anguilla #fourseasons #fsanguilla #caribbean #travel #nikon #nikonnofilter #travelgram #vacation #beautiful #resort #beach #travelphotography #instatravel #wanderlust #picoftheday #trip #travelblogger #surroundmewithwater #luxury #stmartin #stmaarten #stbarths
Anguilla sunsets 🌞 @anguilla_tourism @fsanguilla
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#WakeUpWithFS #DreamWithFS #anguilla #fourseasons #fsanguilla #caribbean #travel #nikon #nikonnofilter #travelgram #vacation #beautiful #resort #beach #travelphotography #instatravel #wanderlust #picoftheday #trip #travelblogger #surroundmewithwater #luxury #stmartin #stmaarten #stbarths
