Chef James with founder of CTT, Nancy Evans
James Eddington is the owner and executive Chef of Eddington’s of Exeter. His reputation for consistent, creative, flavourful, and locally sourced ingredients, combined with a determination to cultivate a caring community that makes people feel good, have kept his guests coming back again and again for over 25 years! James has been pouring his heart and soul into the restaurant since 1997, and you can feel it! If you’ve dined at Eddington’s of Exeter, then you’ve likely bumped into James, as he’s not one to hide in the kitchen. James’ love of food, coupled with his contagious desire for adventure and laughs, has culminated in #eddingtontours. Since 2018, James has partnered with Chefs’ Table Tours, an Ontario based boutique travel operator, to plan and execute week-long culinary focused travel adventures to different European destinations. If you’d like to be some of the first to be notified of new opportunities to travel with James, please add yourself to our mailing list. (Pssst…we won’t bother you with more than a couple of emails a year, and you can unsubscribe at anytime).
FAQ’s
Where does James travel?
The current rotation of destinations include the Minervois region of south-west France, Spanish Basque Country, the Norte region of Portugal, county Kerry/Cork/West Cork area of Ireland, and the Tuscan hills of Italy.
What time of year does James run culinary tours?
Typically, in any given year, James will offer 1 or 2 tours in the Spring (Apr – Jun), and another 1 or 2 tours in the Fall (Sept – Oct).
How long is a tour, and what’s included?
Our European tours are 7 nights in duration. Everything is included from the moment you’re picked up in our private coach, until we drop you off at the airport. Accommodations, meals and snacks, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), all tours and tastings, gratuities, and ground transport.
How many people are on each tour?
It depends on our destination, but we find that 10 – 14 is the sweet spot.
Can you accommodate different dietary restrictions?
Dietary restrictions are reviewed on a case by case basis. Chefs’ Table Tours delivers a high-quality experience rooted in local ingredients and traditional regional preparation techniques. Our unique kitchen setup, with limited staff make it challenging to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination or to prepare multiple specialized meals simultaneously. Furthermore, the customs, regulations, and risk perception regarding dietary restrictions vary significantly among our global restaurant partners. We are unable to override these established local practices. To ensure the safety and well-being of all guests, we ask that you reach out and explain your specific requirements around any severe or complex allergy, or any restrictive dietary practices.
What is the cost of a tour with James?
Because we launch the sale of the tours 18-24 months before travel, we wait as long as possible to set the price. As a ballpark figure, an all inclusive #eddingtontour is in the range of $8000 per person.
What are the accommodations like? Is there an option for single occupancy?
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer single occupancy. Because of the boutique nature of our accommodations, there is not enough physical space to be able to accommodate single occupancy. Your choices are double (1 large bed for 2 ppl) or twin (2 single beds in a large single room). Single travellers will be encouraged to find a travelling partner, or they will be assigned to share a twin room. The accommodations on these tours are of a storied collection. It might be a French chateaux, a Georgian manor estate, a Portuguese Castelo, or a Monestary…you get the idea….we’re not staying at the Holiday Inn.
How important is physical fitness on these tours?
Our tours are not accessible for those in wheelchairs or those that require the use of a walker. While you certainly don’t need to be an athlete, the ability to climb a flight of stairs or two, walk for a distance on cobblestone streets, and stand for periods of time while sightseeing, are all important to note. If balance is an issue, we’ve found that collapsable walking sticks have worked well for past guests. If this is a concern for you, you’re encouraged to reach out to us directly and we can discuss with you your specific circumstances.