Who is Allison?

I wasn’t supposed to end up in Paris.

It was 1995. When my idea of moving to New Orleans didn’t work out as expected, starting a life in France was just a vague “Plan B.” And it turned into something amazing.

After bouncing around in Paris for a few years doing odd jobs, I completed two years of culinary training in Angers, France. Working as a professional chef in every kind of establishment, from the humble truck-stop diner to a Michelin-starred restaurant on an island in the Loire River, I gained valuable professional and cultural experience.

When I moved back to Paris in 2007, it was to teach culinary arts in a nationally recognized technical school in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the city. Finding myself in a kitchen every day with two dozen hangry teenage boys was the hardest job I ever loved. After 6 years, I moved on to higher education.

As serendipity would have it, I was tapped to teach hospitality at the university level, both in the French and the American systems. At the same time, I founded my own business leading adults on private food tours around the city.

Along the way, I’ve earned diplomas in wine education (WSET Level 3), taught the history of gastronomy and art of the table, lead a team as Head of Academics at a hospitality school, and become co-leader of two food-centric study abroad programs for American universities.

The common thread running through everything I do is a passion for people and for sharing my knowledge. I’m a born storyteller and “edutainer.” My 30 years in France have led me on countless culinary and cultural explorations, and I’ve created engaging educational experiences for over 5000 clients.

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