Culinary Guests

Join these food enthusiasts for the culinary adventure of a lifetime

Colin Lynch

Colin Lynch

Chef Partner

Masterful Coastal Italian Cooking

Meet Colin

Ellen Yin

Ellen Yin

Restaurateur

James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur

Meet Ellen

Gary Portuesi and Sal Rizzo

Gary Portuesi and Sal Rizzo

SICILIAN INSIDERS

FOOD & TRAVEL SPECIALISTS

Meet Gary and Sal

Ryan Poli

Chef/ Owner

Travel + Leisure’s “Best New Chef”

Meet Ryan

Rob Gentile

Rob Gentile

Chef/ Owner

Italian Visionary

Meet Rob

Billy Harris

Billy Harris

Culinary Emcee

Food Network Host

Meet Billy

Greg Vernick

Greg Vernick

Chef Owner

Redefining the concept of American Dining in Philadelphia

Meet Greg

Katie Parla

Katie Parla

Culinary guide and writer

An American living the Italian dream

Meet Katie

Michael Cimarusti

Michael Cimarusti

Chef & Restaurateur

2 Michelin Stars in Los Angeles

Meet Michael

Joe Sasto

Joe Sasto

Chef/Creator

The Pasta Maestro

Meet Joe

Franklin Becker

Franklin Becker

Chef Owner

Top Chef Master in NYC

Meet Franklin

Missy Robbins

Missy Robbins

Chef owner and cookbook Author

The excellence of Italian cuisine in NYC

Meet Missy

Anthony Giglio

Anthony Giglio

Sommelier & Journalist

Contributor, Food & Wine Magazine · Wine Director, American Express

Meet Anthony

Nicholas Elmi

Nicholas Elmi

Chef Owner

Philanthropic Top Chef

Meet Nicholas

Dominic Piperno

Dominic Piperno

Chef owner

Contemporary wood-fired cuisine in New Jersey

Meet Dominic

Michael Scelfo

Michael Scelfo

Chef Owner

Celebrated Boston Chef with Long Island Roots

Meet Michael

Mike Lata

Mike Lata

Chef Owner

The Slow Food Champion

Meet Mike

Andy Ticer & Michael Hudman

Andy Ticer & Michael Hudman

Chef Owners

Masters of Innovative Italian Cooking in Memphis

Meet Andy and Michael

Paul Cullen

Paul Cullen

Guitarist, Chef, and Sommelier

The Musician Chef

Meet Paul

Jeff Michaud

Chef/owner & Founder of LVG

Meet Jeff

Jeff and Claudia arranged to perfection our visit to the Lake Garda region. Our hotel, Villa Arcadio, was a 15th century monastery restored into a hotel. The setting was spectacular. We toured the lake region experiencing some of the finest Italian culture and dining one could have imagined. We could never have arranged this tour without Jeff and Claudia’s expertise. Thanks Jeff and Claudia for taking care of every detail. Looking forward to our next visit!

Mr. and Mrs. Fanelli – Lake Garda / Verona 2024

This trip was the perfect balance of cooking, education, markets, fun and downtime. I could tell an extreme amount of thought went into every detail of the trip. Every place we visited felt like a private connection. We travelled with Chef Jeff Michaud and Colin Lynch. I learned a great deal from cooking with them. They were both down to earth and I really got to enjoy their company and learn their stories. I have been to Italy several times but this was truly special. I will be back!

Mrs. Lucci – Emilia Romagna 2024

Traveling with La Via Gaia is a very intimate way to experience Italy, and lets the traveler to see and meet the actual people behind the scenes who run the small shops and businesses. I can't imagine a better way to immerse oneself into the culture. Chef Michaud is a wonderful guide and made us feel immediately welcome. If you want to see the real Italy, travel with La Via Gaia!

Mr. Oelher – Modena/Bologna 2024

La Via Gaia curates once in a lifetime trips focused on exploring Italy’s rich culinary history. Anyone can plan a trip to Italy filled with pasta and wine - La Via Gaia trips are so much more.

We explored the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy through food. We toured aging caves, learned about the art of making balsamic vinegar and participated in three cooking classes. We dined in Michelin starred restaurants, family homes and local markets. Along the way we learned so much about food and made lifelong friends.

Jeff truly knows how to create incredible experiences. He kept us laughing the entire time. We’ve been home one week and are already planning our next trip with La Via Gaia!

If you’re on the fence about booking a trip - just do it. You absolutely will not regret it.

Mrs. Lynn – Modena/Bologna/Parma 2025

Traveling through Italy with La Via Gaia was nothing short of magical. It wasn’t just a trip—it was a deeply personal, beautifully curated experience that felt like stepping into a dream designed just for me.

What sets La Via Gaia apart is the unparalleled access to experiences you simply cannot find anywhere else. These aren't your typical tour group activities—they're the kind of moments that can only happen through Jeff’s close friendships and deep-rooted connections across the region.

If you’re dreaming of Italy and want to experience it in a way that’s truly off-the-beaten-path and profoundly special, La Via Gaia is the only way to go. I’m already dreaming of my next trip back.

Chef Joe Sasto – Emilia Romagna 2025

Anyone can plan a trip to Italy filled with pasta and wine - La Via Gaia trips are so much more!

We explored the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy through food. We toured aging caves, learned about the art of making balsamic vinegar and participated in three cooking classes. We dined in Michelin starred restaurants, family homes and local markets. Along the way we learned so much about food and made lifelong friends.

Jeff truly knows how to create incredible experiences. He kept us laughing the entire time. We’ve been home one week and are already planning our next trip with La Via Gaia!

If you’re on the fence about booking a trip - just do it. You absolutely will not regret it.

Mrs. Taylor M. – Emilia Romagna 2025

Jeff and Claudia have created an experience like no other for folks who are truly passionate about food and wine. Jeff is the consummate host and, for one week, you are part of his family which includes not only your fellow travelers, but all of the amazing artisan producers and talented chefs that go to great lengths to make your time with them very special and memorable.
Jeff's passion for everything culinary, along with his well established relationships, are what make this trip unique.
This is more than a culinary tour - this is an immersion into the very best of what Italy has to offer.

Mrs. B. Smith – Piemonte 2023

You feel like a true family member everywhere you go. Winemakers, cheesemakers, prosciutto makers, chefs, farmers, agriturismo proprietors, musicians all welcome you with very generous open arms like you've known them forever to share their talents, secrets. Their passion for what they do is contagious as is Jeff's love of Italy and his infectious smile and ability to connect everyone in the group to each other and bring out the adventurous spirit in all of us.
Already booked another trip for next year!

Mr. Gerard P. – Friuli & Slovenia 2022

A private trip with La Via Gaia in Piemonte was an adventure I didn't even know I was missing! I was hesitant to go on an expensive trip with my colleagues but after the amazing comradery, wineries with views, a cheese tour/tasting, beautiful balloon ride, truffle hunting, vespa and convertible fiat driving, three Michelin restaurants, chef led cooking classes, shopping in Milan, Turin and Alba, incredible local restaurants, three amazing guides, and lots of fun I deem this trip priceless.
The warmth exuded by Jeff and Claudia Michaud, and their guest Sommelier Matteo Donadoni added to a jam-packed itinerary (with some relax time included). Anyone can go to Northern Italy but these three shared their love of Italy with all of us.

Cinta B. and David R. – Private trip to Piemonte 2022

La Via Gaia's culinary tour is not to be missed. Chef Jeff Michaud and his beautiful wife sparkle as they share their love of all things Italian. Days are filled with private tours of wineries and a Parmigiano-Reggiano aging cave, a hot air balloon ride, a drive through the gorgeous Piemontese countryside, and a tour of Turin. The meals include simple regional dishes shared by local cooks, dinner made by the group participants during a cooking lesson at a winery, and spectacular dinners prepared by Michelin starred chefs. Truly fantastico- grazie!

Arlene and Mark B. – Private Piemonte trip 2022

La Via Gaia has taken us on 2 unique and unforgettable trips filled with amazing food, wine and experiences. The key is Jeff Michaud’s infectious love of Italy, its people, its culinary traditions, and Italian life in general. The warm relationships he has built over the years with chefs, wine makers and shop owners flow onto the group and make us feel we are cared for in a way we have never experienced with any other trip.

Mrs. Claudia N. – Bergamo/Lake Iseo 2022

For a food centric, behind the scenes tour of Italy, La Via Gaia is unsurpassed. Meet the chefs, the wine makers, the cheese purveyors that only the locals know. Jeff and Claudia combine to create one of a kind weeks based on their relationships and knowledge of Italy.

Mr. Thomas B. – Piemonte

Touring Piemonte Italy with chef Jeff Michaud and guest chef Michael Scelfo (and his delightful wife, Ellen!) rates as one of the most fulfilling vacations my wife and I have ever taken. Jeff and Claudia curated the perfect week, and their attention to detail from the moment we all met up on Sunday morning until we said goodbye the following Saturday was flawless. We simply can't recommend La Via Gaia highly enough!!

Mr. Andy D. – Piemonte

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