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Tours with Chef Michael Zentner
Browse Our Tours Hosted by Michael Zentner
Chef Michael Zentner brings an impressive culinary pedigree and passion for hospitality to our Expertly Done Culinary & Wine Travel tours. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Michael became the youngest chef to helm a Relais & Châteaux property at Sun Valley before leading restaurant openings in Boston and Washington, D.C.,. He later served as Culinary Director for Boston’s Aquitaine Group, overseeing nine restaurants, before relocating to Charleston and joining the acclaimed Charleston Grill as Chef de Cuisine. Today, Michael is executive chef and co-owner of the James Beard Award-Nominated restaurant Merci. Merci is an intimate European bistro in a restored 1820s townhouse, and The Drifter, a culinary and events company he operates with his wife, Courtney. Rooted in seasonality, locality, and hospitality, Michael brings a warm, engaging approach to the table and a passion for sharing the flavors and traditions that define each destination.
Our Expertly Done Culinary & Wine Travel Includes:
EXPERTLY CURATED ITINERARIES
Over 35 years of experience goes into planning every custom itinerary and represents a balanced blend of cultural, culinary, and wine-related experiences.
HAND-SELECTED EXPERT HOSTS
Carefully selected Expert Hosts to ensure each tour is enhanced with knowledgeable, approachable insights, and hands-on cooking and/or wine tasting and education.
INTENTIONALLY SMALL GROUPS
Each tour is kept intentionally small to ensure more one-on-one experiences with our Expert Hosts.
CAREFULLY CHOSEN ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotels, villas, and chateaus are expertly chosen with an eye toward modern-day comfort, amenities, and location that enhance your experience.
ASSURANCE
Our team is at the ready to assist you any time, for any reason while traveling — 24/7.
Looking for Travel Inspiration?
Travel along with Premier Tours & Travel through our feature stories and videos from our tours and from our tourist board partners.
You’re sure to find inspiration for your daydreams or your next booking!
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Premier Experience Photo Gallery
Lyonnais & Burgundian Culture, Cuisine & Wine with a Chef
★★★★★Commarin, France
Soaking in the rich history at Chateau de Commarin.
Provencal Flavors of Aix-en-Provence & the Luberon
★★★★★Gordes, France
Friends and fabulous food and wine in Provence!
The Distinctive Tastes of Tuscany & Florence with a Chef
★★★★★Siena, Italy
Our tour leader and expert local tour.
Lyonnais & Burgundian Culture, Cuisine & Wine with a Chef
★★★★★Lyon, France
A quintessential Lyonnais lunch with our Chef.
Lyonnais & Burgundian Culture, Cuisine & Wine with a Chef
★★★★★Beaune, France
Immersed in the pleasures of the Saturday market.
Andalusia & Madrid with a Chef
★★★★★Ronda, Spain
Nothing compares to the organic olives and olive oils of Spain -- right from the grove.
Lyonnais & Burgundian Culture, Cuisine & Wine with a Chef
★★★★★Vonnes, France
A culinary treat in the Georges Blanc’s village.
Wine, Cuisine & Culture of San Sebastian, Rioja & Madrid with a Master of Wine
★★★★★La Rioja, Spain
Meandering the glorious vineyards of Rioja.
Lyonnais & Burgundian Culture, Cuisine & Wine with a Chef
★★★★★Macon, France
Tasting wines and enjoying the amazing views in Burgundy!
Wine, Cuisine & Culture of San Sebastian, Rioja & Madrid with a Master of Wine
★★★★★Getaria, Spain
Enjoying Basque cuisine.
Provencal Flavors of Aix-en-Provence & the Luberon
★★★★★Bonnieux, France
Enjoying the climb in the hilltop villages, as well as the views.
Lyonnais & Burgundian Culture, Cuisine & Wine with a Chef
★★★★★Chateauneuf en Auxois
French influence at its finest!
Lyonnais & Burgundian Culture, Cuisine & Wine with a Chef
★★★★★Vonnes, France
Enjoying George Blanc's fairytale village.
Lyonnais & Burgundian Culture, Cuisine & Wine with a Chef
★★★★★Beaujolais, France
France in a glass!
Provencal Flavors of Aix-en-Provence & the Luberon
★★★★★Gordes, France
Cocktails on the terrace of the villa.
Wine, Cuisine & Culture of San Sebastian, Rioja & Madrid with a Master of Wine
★★★★★San Sebastian, Spain
Relaxing after a day of eating and drinking our way through the city.
Provencal Flavors of Aix-en-Provence & the Luberon with a Chef
★★★★★Gordes, France
Our Premier team in Provence.
The Distinctive Tastes of Tuscany & Florence with a Chef
★★★★★Tuscany
Basking in the beautiful landscape and hilltop villages.
Provencal Flavors of Aix-en-Provence & the Luberon
★★★★★Gordes, France
Visiting the gardens with our friend in Gordes.
Wine, Cuisine & Culture of San Sebastian, Rioja & Madrid with a Master of Wine
★★★★★San Sebastian, Spain
A night out in cosmopolitan San Sebastian.
The Distinctive Tastes of Tuscany & Florence with a Chef
★★★★★Bagno Vignoni
Spectacular sunset and dinner on the town.
Wine, Cuisine & Culture of San Sebastian, Rioja & Madrid with a Master of Wine
★★★★★La Rioja, Spain
Enjoying family time in the vineyards of Rioja.
Cuisine, Culture & Wine of San Sebastián, Rioja & Madrid With a Chef
★★★★★Bilbao, Spain
Touring with "the Keeper of the Keys" at the Guggenheim.
Andalusia & Madrid with a Chef
★★★★★Madrid, Spain
Our tour leader and expert local guide.
Wine, Cuisine & Culture of San Sebastian, Rioja & Madrid with a Master of Wine
★★★★★La Rioja, Spain
Tour and tasting at one of the finest vineyards in the world!
Andalusia & Madrid with a Chef
★★★★★Ronda, Spain
Lunch al fresco amidst the olive trees.
The Distinctive Tastes of Tuscany & Florence with a Chef
★★★★★Tuscany
Enjoying time in the kitchen with the Chef.