In this episode, we explore the periphery with Donna Del Rey, Founder and CEO of Relish Culinary Adventures. Driven by her passion to explore, to be creative and to be curious, Donna left her steady and good job as a chemist working for a tech company and drove herself and her 1952 Chevy Panel Truck nicknamed “Julia”  into a full-time business, Relish Culinary Adventures. Here she her passion for food, wine and great experiences and to create fun, informative and entertaining culinary events in and around Healdsburg, California, in the Sonoma County wine country. It’s been a journey in learning not only about food and wine, planning and managing events and the people that come to them, but also in being an entrepreneur through both good and bad times. Through it all Donna has managed to keep the turbulence positive by finding ways to create a solid foundation, stay in touch with her passion, and look to the periphery for new adventures.
Donna created Relish Culinary Adventures in 2003 to share the flavors and personalities of Sonoma County with others. A chemistry degree led to more than two decades in various marketing and business development roles for an industry-leading Bay Area scientific high tech company. A move to Sonoma County with its bounty of amazing foods and artisans solidified her desire to transition to the culinary world. Donna is not a professional chef; she sees herself as an adventurous learner eager to create and share memorable food experiences. “A Relish event is so much more than a cooking class,” says Donna. “We combine amazing Sonoma County ingredients, talented and engaging wine country makers, and unique rural locations to create convivial culinary adventures that, hopefully, inspire guests to create great food in their own kitchens.” Donna and her husband Jim Morris, who is VP of Hospitality at Charles Krug winery, are a perfect food and wine pairing.

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