Our team

Course I

Richard Gruica

Chief Eating OfficerCEO

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.

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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.

Travel with Richard

Course IISt. Thomas, VI | Atlanta, GA

William Torrillo

Chief Creative OfficerCCO

William has spent more than 25 years photographing the places people travel to remember. As The Gourmet Vacation’s principal photographer and videographer, his work has taken him from luxury resorts and celebrated kitchens to coastal villages and remote islands. His photographs have appeared in travel publications around the world, including National Geographic, and he was recently featured on the Discovery Channel during a week highlighting the people, culture and landscapes of the Virgin Islands.

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His connection to hospitality began long before the camera. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a degree in Culinary Arts, William served as Culinary Department Trainer at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, before eventually bringing his interests in food, travel and photography together. He later spent four years as a staff photographer at Sea Island Resorts in Georgia.

Today, William is CEO of Mango Media, a boutique marketing agency in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and CEO and Chief Software Architect of FruitStack, a software company specializing in hospitality technology, government systems and data.

His travels through Croatia brought those worlds together in a particularly personal way. After years photographing the Caribbean, he found something both new and familiar along the Adriatic — a culture shaped by the sea, distinctive communities, and a deep connection between food, tradition and place.

Sailing the Dalmatian Coast, exploring fishing villages, hidden coves and historic towns, William became interested not simply in Croatia’s beauty, but in the rhythms of life behind it.

That curiosity continues to shape his photography. For William, the best travel images do more than show us where someone has been. They give us a sense of what it felt like to be there.

Course IIIUSA

Jenny McCord

Chief Imbibing OfficerCIO

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.

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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.

Course IVCroatia

Ana Kovačević

Chief Cultural OfficerCCO

Meet Ana Kovačević, a professional translator, passionate traveler, and cultural connector who brings the world to life through her love of languages, food, and rich traditions. With a deep appreciation for museums, art, and heritage, Ana’s profound connection to culture makes her the perfect guide to immersive and authentic travel experiences.

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Her years of expertise in tourism, translation, and cultural exchange have made her a master at bridging cultures and uncovering hidden gems. Ana thrives on creating unforgettable journeys that seamlessly blend history, food, and adventure, offering travelers an insider’s perspective into the heart of Croatia and beyond.

A table for more.

Richard Gruica

William Torrillo

Jenny McCord

Ana Kovačević

There’s always room for one more.