Testimonials
“Bob Garlough has been a leader in culinary education for nearly 30 years, and during much of that time he has been organizing international study tours for culinary students and professionals. I’ve so admired his ability to create innovative and culturally rich experiences for his tour participants, that on several occasions I’ve asked him to be a featured presenter to share his experiences with my conference attendees. Few people know more about organizing international cuisine and culture tours than Bob Garlough.”
Mary Petersen
President, Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ)
Annapolis, Maryland
“When Ana worked in International School Relations for CONALEP, I came to Mexico to see if my Spanish students would benefit from the experience. I literally cried when it was time for me to return home. I fell in love with the Mexican people, and the richness of daily life in Mexico. She later introduced me to Bob when he was in Mexico providing cooking classes to the CONALEP students of Jalisco. I am planning to return every year with my own Spanish language students so they may experience the wonders of Mexico.”
Conceta Combatti
Spanish Langauge Teacher, IPSAR
Brescia, Italy
“I first traveled to Australia and New Zealand with Professor Garlough, and was so thrilled with my experiences that I easily convinced my wife to go on other tours with him. We’ve been to South Africa, Spain and Portugal, and are now planning a trip to Mexico. We can’t wait to visit Oaxaca!”
Peter Metsker
Partner, Professional Administrative Resources
East Grand Rapids, Michigan
“I worked with Ana Maria Olmos for over four years while she was responsible for international school relations at CONALEP-Jalisco. During her time with us, she demonstrated a very high degree of competence, particularly when organizing her conferences and working with various groups of international students. As Director for the entire State of Jalisco, I witnessed first-hand her abilities to make things happen.”
Jaime Alvarez, PhD
Director General, CONALEP-Jalisco
Guadalajara, Jalisco
“I’ve always had an interest in international travel, and I’ve been fortunate to travel to many countries with my family. On several occasions, my husband and I went on cuisine and culture tours that were organized by Chef Garlough. Even though we still plan several trips a year ourselves, it’s always more relaxing when someone else worries about the arrangements. I’ve never been disappointed with his tours, and I plan to get a group of couples together for experiencing the real Mexico with him. It’s great traveling with a group who likes a little adventure with their food!”
Kathleen Schiefler
Owner, Kathleen & Company
East Grand Rapids, Michigan
“International travel changed my life!! It was one of the greatest experiences that I had while in culinary school. It opened my eyes to other cultures, and I started to understand the foundations of a country’s cuisine by experiencing it first-hand with Chef Garlough in Europe and Africa. Life’s too short not to take a big bite out of it when you get the chance! I did, and I’m not afraid to try anything now. It gave me the confidence to work in other countries, which has really helped my career. Do it for yourself; it’s an investment that will pay off big time!”
Adam Tanner
Executive Chef, St Regis Hotel
Aspen, Colorado
“My parents emigrated to the United States from Germany before I was born, so I’ve always had an appreciation for “foreign cultures.” When I was a culinary student, I had the opportunity to travel to Brazil and Argentina with Chef Garlough. Staying in huts on the Amazon River for five days, and learning about the indigenous Cablocos people and their cuisine and culture was a once-in-a-lifetime affair. And then traveling to Rio de Janiero to take cooking classes, visiting coffee plantations, and dining in churrascorias was so unforgettable. Now many years later, I’m a culinary school instructor, and I plan to take my students on tours just like I experienced. You can bet my first tour will be to Mexico with Chef Garlough.”
Audrey Heckwolf
Assistant Professor, Secchia Institute for Culinary Education
Grand Rapids, Michigan
“As a long-time organizer of special events and wine tours, I fully understand the effort it takes to satisfy tour participants. After taking trips to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel and Egypt that were organized and led by Chef Garlough, I can completely attest to his abilities as a Tour Coordinator and Tour Leader. You’ll never meet anyone more organized than him.”
Joe Borrello
President, Tasters Guild International
Grand Rapids, Michigan
“It is my sincerest pleasure to recommend the adventure travel services of Robert Garlough and Ana Maria Olmos. I’ve known both of them for several years, first while Chef Garlough and I were featured speakers at an international conference on tourism and gastronomy in Puerta Vallarta, which was organized by Ana Maria. I’ve since had an opportunity to work with them both on several occasions, and I’ve always been impressed by their abilities to gain results. In fact, I’ve recently moved from Valencia, Spain to Mexico City to open a new office for my company because I’ve been so impressed by what Mexico has to offer.”
Roberto Iborra Bendicho
Director de Relaciones Internacionales, Centro Superior de Hoteleria y Turismo
Valencia, Spain and Mexico City, DF
“In my position with the Office of the National Minister of Tourism, I experience the depths of an ancient and proud culture every day. Mexico offers an unequaled majesty of natural beauty, world-class artisans, diverse cuisine, world-heritage sites, and a welcoming people. From large colonial cities rich in architecture, to small villages steeped in tradition; from lively volcanic peaks, to deserted sugar sand beaches along rugged coastlines…Mexico offers something for everybody. It has been my pleasure to have known and worked with Ana Maria Olmos for over twenty years, and I can’t think of a better or more qualified person to introduce others to my Mexico. I invite you to come and ‘vive el alma de México!’”
Joaquín Armenta Gómez
Subdirector of Tourism Negotiations, SECTUR
Mexico City, DF
