A Culinary Society: Who We Are
Hello and welcome to our society, where we travel and experience the world together one plate at a time.
We believe food is a universal language, one that tells stories, bridges cultures, and invites deep connection. Our journeys are intentionally intimate and immersive, curated for those who crave authenticity and indulgence in equal measure. Whether you’re savoring a Michelin-starred tasting menu in Portugal, learning the secret to handmade pasta from a Tuscan nonna, or sipping a divine First Growth from Bordeaux, every moment with A Culinary Society is designed to stir your senses and stay with you.
Our society is made up of like-minded individuals from around the world, from hospitality professionals looking to share their insider access to those simply searching for a one-of-a-kind experience. While we are not a membership-based group with annual dues, our travelers tend to sign up on our journeys over and over again, essentially curating what it truly means to be a society.
With that said, there is one woman who started it all, and it’s pertinent that we introduce her to fellow travelers and foodies like you, dear reader.
Origin Story
In 1990, Trish Ellington was asked by a friend to design an annual retreat for their company’s top management officers. Rather than planning a conventional corporate trip, she chose to create an experience. She themed the week around a murder mystery in Hilton Head, weaving storytelling, setting, and surprise into every detail.
What followed became a defining moment. Guests expressed deep appreciation not for the destination alone, but for how the experience made them feel—engaged, connected, and part of something memorable. That response revealed a natural gift: Trish wasn’t simply organizing travel; she was curating extraordinary adventures.
That realization became her guiding principle and enduring motto: creating unique, extraordinary experiences that transform travel into connection.
Cultural Evolution & Culinary Philosophy
A defining chapter in Trish's career transformed the way she viewed travel. It reinforced her belief that authentic cultural experiences cannot be separated from the people who preserve them. That realization inspired her to expand beyond private consulting and begin creating carefully curated journeys for small groups seeking meaningful connections through food, wine, music, history, and local traditions.
But food was never the full story. Cuisine is only one expression of a culture. Music, art, craftsmanship, history, and genuine human connection are equally essential. Each A Culinary Society journey is designed to introduce guests to the people and traditions that give every destination its unique character.
Today, every experience is guided by that same philosophy: travel should deepen understanding, foster relationships, and create memories that endure long after the journey has ended.
“We don’t collect destinations...we gather stories, friendships, and moments that linger long after the journey ends.” -Trish E.
The Arts, Opera & Europe
Seeking to expand the cultural boundaries of her journeys, Trish turned to what had long inspired her personally. Italy, once a dream destination, became a revelation. It was there that her senses awakened beyond the expected. Her niche trips to Latin America officially moved to Europe and beyond with a passionate following behind her.
Opera emerged as a powerful touchstone. Nessun Dorma remains her favorite aria, and discovering that Giacomo Puccini composed Turandot, and that he was born in Lucca, Tuscany, created a profound connection between music, history, and place. Standing in the landscapes that shaped the composer’s life brought European culture into sharp, living focus.
That intersection, where music, history, cuisine, and geography converge, cemented opera as an essential element of Trish’s approach to cultural travel. Opera, like travel, is storytelling rooted in heritage, emotion, and place.
Leadership, Vision, & Legacy
With more than three decades in hospitality and experiential travel, Trish has built a career centered on relationships rather than transactions. As Founder and CEO of A Culinary Society, she curates intimate journeys hosted by respected local experts across Europe, North America, and beyond, each designed to foster curiosity and meaningful exchange. She collaborates with an exceptional network of sommeliers, chefs, historians, photographers, musicians, and hospitality professionals who help create immersive experiences that leave a lasting impression on every guest.
Many of those who travel with Trish return again and again, forming a close-knit community shaped by shared tables and enduring friendships. Her work reflects a belief that the most powerful journeys are those that change how we see the world– and each other.
Trish Ellington, Founder & CEO of A Culinary Society