We encourage deeper connections with the flavors, cultures, and communities of the world through small-group, international culinary trips, and virtual cooking classes.
Our Story
It all started with an airline ticket. When founder Annie Cheng bought a Round the World airline ticket, hoping to experience something new and find her direction in life.
During those seven months, she stayed in private homes, ate meals with local families, and turned her curiosity into relationships with the communities. And when she came home, people were constantly asking Annie’s advice for how to have similar, more authentic trips.
In 2015, she created The Table Less Traveled as a way to stand against the commoditization of travel and cuisine. Instead of adding to the well worn tracks of tourist attractions, she invites people to try a more meaningful way to explore.
Through interactive experiences, authentic global recipes, local chefs, and small group sizes, The Table Less Traveled helps people get a better taste of what the world has to offer.
We are people people.
From the chefs and local partners we work with to our community of travelers, foodies, and home chefs, The Table Less Traveled brings people together through shared experiences. Our founder, Annie Sim, realized that although standing at the top of the Acropolis was awe-inspiring, the memories she held onto and the moments that shaped her were always around a table with friends, loved ones, or strangers...one less traveled by.
We prioritize quality and integrity.
We 100% support local partners - the heart of a place and its culture. Quality of experiences has always been rooted in being genuine. We share with each traveler - whether in person or virtually - the real experiences and lives of our local partners. We maintain cultural integrity as we cultivate recipes with local chefs to bring global cuisines to your kitchen. Food is a conduit to conversation and opens doors to cultural interactions that can change the way we all connect, think, and live together.
We are insiders.
People often ask how Annie met our friends, because the local partners and chefs we work with are just that - friends. Many of the individuals you’ll meet are not in the business of ‘doing tours’. They are individuals who open their homes and stories to us because, like us, they are people people and want to share their journeys. We immerse ourselves in the local culture and community because after all, we’re travelers, not tourists (just like you).
We act with ownership and partnership.
Our community is centered around respect and how we all come together to share.
TTLT - As your travel and cooking class hosts, we’ll help you create meaningful interactions and foster stronger connections.
Our partners - They’ll share, educate, and open their world to you through local - and oftentimes family - recipes.
You - All we ask is that you’re willing to get your hands dirty and be present with us, our chefs, and the individuals in your class.
We are explorers.
Italy, Peru, Malaysia, Japan, and beyond! We connect our community across continents in undiscovered private venues like dinner at our friend Marika’s home overlooking the Mediterranean coast, to learning how to cook family recipes in Costa Rica with Wendy via Zoom.