The Company

Epiculinary was founded by Catherine Merrill as a culinary tour company, offering cooking vacations to Europe and North America. With over 50 programs in France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Canada and the U.S., Epiculinary offers the perfect culinary vacation for just about everyone.

In addition to packages, Epiculinary can help with customized and group travel.

We are always expanding, looking for new and exciting culinary experiences. Please let us know if you don't see a program that you're interested in. We can help direct you to the right place, or add it to our offerings!

Catherine Merrill

Catherine Merrill is founder and owner of Epiculinary. She graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1980 with a degree in Radio, Television and Motion Pictures and spent 8 years as a television news producer and writer.

After two children, Catherine pursued her passion for food, wine, and travel and became a travel agent, specializing in European and culinary vacations.

This is the second culinary company that Catherine has owned. Over the past 12 years she has led many groups to Europe and has helped many individuals pursue their travel dreams. An avid cook, she is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. She is also a member of the Slow Food organization.

Catherine speaks Italian and French and spends part of each year searching out new programs for Epiculinary. She feels very strongly that first hand experience is best way to determine if a cooking school is good for her clients.

Olivia Townsend

Olivia Townsend is Epiculinary's office manager. She was born in Florence, Italy and grew up in South America where she became fluent in Spanish.

Olivia graduated from Lewis and Clark College in 1980 with a degree in foreign languages. She has traveled all over the world both for pleasure and in her position with a major hotel company.

Olivia stays busy with her two children, along with her travel and responsibilities for Epiculinary. She brings an enormous amount of enthusiasm to her job.