The Gourmet on Tour founder on how you can discover culinary gems while travelling consciously.
Judith Von Prockl-Chng enjoyed a starry career in the internet retail industry, having worked for Amazon when the company first launched in Europe in its heyday. But her calling in entrepreneurship was so strong that she couldn’t stop herself from jumping into the unknown and starting anew.
These days, the Gourmet on Tour founder is travelling around the world to curate and celebrate one-of-a-kind experiences for food lovers who want to see the world a little differently. She meets with a small but fine family of producers in wine and culinary, hoping that she will find what travel guests are looking for. And oftentimes they do, when they spend an incredible amount of time immersing in the local cultures in one-on-one relationships.
Her curated tours have taken guests to locations in Italy, France, U.K., Ireland, Spain, Morocco, China, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka and the U.S. Guests may stay at a converted farmhouse, a 16th century Renaissance villa, a stunning chateau, charming guesthouse or a design boutique hotel – most that are intimate and rich with history. Her company even won popular awards like Experts’ Choice in Saveur Culinary Travel Awards; Readers Award by Food & Travel Magazine; and IACP Awards of Excellence.
We asked Judith what it takes to run such an interesting business for guests who are looking to indulge in the ‘slow travel’ trend.
You’ve had quite an interesting start in your career. You were working at Amazon when they first operated as a bookstore, and you delved into entrepreneurship by starting your own company, Gourmet On Tour. Tell us what made you take the leap.
I was very fortunate to join Amazon during the early days of e-commerce. It was an extraordinary time to be part of the launch into Europe and work with a visionary team. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs with a 220-year legacy of family business, I always knew that I wanted to follow in their footsteps and become an entrepreneur myself.
So, I left my corporate career to follow my passion and launched a travel business specialising in food adventures. At the time, culinary tourism was virtually unknown, and it was exciting to pioneer a new category in experiential travel.
Gourmet On Tour started at my humble kitchen counter, and it has been an incredible journey to see my idea transform into the business it is today, with a vast network of partners in destinations worldwide.
How did your love with food first begin? Why did you choose to set up your base here in Singapore?
My love for food began in my grandmother’s kitchen and was further nourished through extensive traveling, always tasting my way through each destination. I established my business in London 25 years ago and later moved to Singapore for family reasons (my husband is Singaporean). With a growing clientele in the region, expanding into Singapore was a natural step to better serve this market.
Where are most of your guests from? Are they foodies in general?
Gourmet On Tour welcomes guests from all over the world, with food being our common language. We cater to everyone, from curious adventurers to serious food lovers, enthusiastic amateur cooks to professional chefs. What guests share is a passion for food, a curious spirit, and a quest for authentic experiences!
It seems like most of the guests who signed up enjoy ‘slow travel’ while immersing themselves in the local food and culture. Could you share what are some of the most popular destinations?
Classic foodie destinations in Western Europe, Morocco and Asia are always popular. Many of our guests are seasoned travellers and are seeking a fresh perspective on familiar destinations.
That’s where we come in: by offering reimagined journeys to iconic destinations and introducing them to lesser-known regions, we provide opportunities for deeper, more meaningful experiences.
What will travel guests expect when they sign up for one of the programmes? Are home stays included?
We believe the way to a region’s heart is through its gastronomy so that you can gain an insider’s perspective as an invited guest and not as a tourist. Whether you are cooking with a French Michelin-starred chef, preparing a feast with a grandmother in a Tuscan farmhouse, picnic in the Peruvian Andes, or hunt for truffles, it’s all about the experience, meeting locals and departing inspired.
We offer both scheduled small group programmes and tailor-made itineraries. For the latter, we take the time to understand our clients’ unique preferences, designing their dream trip with a blend of cultural & culinary highlights and soft adventures.
Accommodations are always included, and we handpick hotels that are unique and reflect the spirit of the region. For our immersive cooking courses, guests have the option to stay at the chef’s cooking school itself.
What are some of the next big destinations you think travellers are keen to explore next?
It’s no longer just about WHERE you travel; HOW you travel matters just as much.
There has been a notable trend for shoulder-season travel as people aim to avoid overtourism and reduce the pressure on popular tourist spots.
Travellers are prioritising what truly matters to them. They are seeking transformative experiences that leave a lasting positive impact. They value well-being, quality time with loved ones, and the acquisition of new skills that endure long after they return home.
What’s your fondest memory with Gourmet on Tour?
So many to choose from, so here are my top 3:
The fondest moment for us is when clients return from their journey and tell us it was the best holiday they’ve ever had.
The incredible awards we’ve received over the years are deeply humbling and mean the world to us.
And I love researching unique culinary experiences, for example baking bread with Berber women in the Atlas Mountains and weaving these moments into our new Moroccan itineraries.
