Paola has focused on delivering highly curated, intimate experiences for guests, hand-picking each stop on the itineraries based on quality, authenticity and the passion of the people behind the food. Her three-hour tours feature tastings of the best local spots in the iconic neighborhoods of le Marais, Montmartre and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. These are mostly hidden gems – the best bakeries, chocolatiers, wine shops, fromagers, restaurants and cafés.
“Food tourism is becoming more experience-driven, with travelers looking for deeper cultural connections,” she adds. “I see my role as creating meaningful, educational and enjoyable experiences that go beyond just eating and that help guests understand Parisian culinary traditions, people and stories.”
On course for success
Despite having only launched earlier this year, Savor Paris with Paola has already garnered impressive reviews from satisfied customers on sites such as Google, Facebook and Tripadvisor. While this is clearly a reflection of the depth of quality Paris offers in terms of culinary excellence, it also demonstrates Paola’s ability to deliver memorable and shareable experiences. She credits her time at Glion with developing that trait.
“The program at Glion instilled in me a deep understanding of service excellence and the importance of attention to detail,” she says. “It provided me with a strong foundation in hospitality management and a global perspective on the industry and also taught me adaptability and problem solving, which are essential when running a business in the hospitality and tourism industry.
“And I believe my overall experience there was transformative. The hands-on learning approach and international environment helped shape my entrepreneurial mindset and my passion for creating unique guest experiences. It’s also at Glion where I met my best friends, with whom I made a lot of memories as well as lifelong worldwide connections.”
Her Glion experience also appears to have instilled in her a sense of ambition too as she already has designs on expanding her business to other food-centric cities such as Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille and even Brussels.
French food favorites
But for the time being, she is concentrating her efforts on Paris, a city she has called home for the last 14 years and where she has developed considerable gastronomic expertise. So where is her favorite spot for food in the city and what would she recommend visitors eat when they get there?
“One of my personal highlights is a charming and stylish bistro in le Marais called Pamela Popo,” she says. “I love it for its retro-chic decor and cozy ambiance, while the menu features refined yet comforting French cuisine with quality ingredients accompanied by a well-curated wine list.
“As for what to eat? I’d say blanquette de veau is an excellent must-try dish in Paris. It’s traditional French comfort food that consists of slow-cooked veal in a creamy white sauce made with butter, flour and crème fraîche and accompanied by carrots, mushrooms and onions. It’s a delicate, rich and flavorful dish that perfectly represents classic French cuisine.”
