La Via Gaia

Cathy and Tony Mantuano have spent a lot of time in Italy — so much so that Tony is known as an Italy expert and James Beard Award-winning chef. When they helmed Chicago’s four-star Spiaggia, they led trips to the country, and their son got married there last year. So, when Jeff Michaud, chef and owner of Osteria in Philadelphia, asked if the couple wanted to help lead a trip to Friuli and Slovenia in June 2023, it didn’t take this pair long to say yes.

“We have mutual respect of each other’s food. He respects the good, finer things,” Tony says of Jeff. Today, Cathy and Tony helm Yolan, an upscale Italian dining experience at The Joseph in Nashville. Not only did they want to go on the trip, they also thought it was a good fit for their regular diners who are prospective travelers. “The fact that they are going to world-class luxury places appeals to us, our brand and — we think — guests of Yolan,” Tony says. “We are going to open the door to places you wouldn’t otherwise be able to go.”

Their itinerary includes a visit to a prosciuttificio, an organic dairy farm, cooking classes with Jeff and Tony, and wine discoveries with Cathy and area vintners. “People will get to feel the passion that goes into the food and wine. That’s the behind-the-scenes thing,” Tony says.

While the Mantuanos have been to Italy too many times to count, they have never been to Slovenia, and Tony is excited to see it for the first time and experience its culinary traditions alongside the La Via Gaia group. Their trip to Friuli and Slovenia takes place June 4–10, and group size is limited to 14 people. The seven-day/six-night trip costs $8,500 per person, double occupancy. LaViaGaia.com

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