You've Got a (Foodie) Friend

Drawing on her extensive contacts in the French food and wine world, Wendy Lyn helps foodies and other travelers maximize their time in Paris by organizing custom itineraries and experiences.

Want to rent the perfect apartment, visit the coolest wine bars or shop where the chefs do? Searching for the hottest new bistros, the flea markets with the best prices, the most serious cooking classes or the perfect place to propose? Maybe you just love cheese or chocolate or pastry or wine and want to taste the finest Paris has to offer?

Call Wendy. Talk it out. She’ll quote you a price, do all the research, set everything up and, if you want, even accompany you, making your precious travel days as productive as possible. She’s like a human address book, GPS, Guide Rouge and translator rolled into one pretty package....with an honey-oozin' Southern drawl to boot.

Originally from Panama City, Florida, Wendy has lived in Paris on and off for 17 years. Just prior to this she spent three years traveling the globe, arranging high-end food-and-wine experiences for the wealthy members of a luxury destination club. As a result, she has a network of industry contacts that make her the foodie friend in Paris every traveler wishes they had.

“Some travelers are independent and just want a fabulous list of ideas, to get out and discover Paris on their own,” she says. “Others ask me to organize everything, from hotel and dinner reservations to foodie walkabouts and wine tastings.”

Last year I was in Paris for work but tacked on an extra day for fun. I had a zillion things I wanted to do but no idea how to make it all happen. Wendy helped me narrow my list, knowing exactly what was open, what was good, and how best to get there. She sent me to see a great show at the Pompidou Center and then on to the Musee d’Orsay, which I had never seen. When I told her I wanted to eat falafel for lunch and stroll around the Marais, she told me which restaurant she liked best: Chez Marianne. Then she helped me plan an amazing afternoon, with visits to the famous kitchenware shop Dehillerin and the food halls at Bon Marche, followed by a walking tour of St. Germain and dinner at a neighborhood seafood place called Fish. I’m a pretty experienced traveler but I could never have accomplished what I did—or had such a rewarding, relaxing day—without Wendy’s advice.

So how much? Prices vary, of course. Right now, Wendy is offering what she calls her summer special. “Travelers are short on time and expect value for money,” she says. For €150 she’ll create a personalized two-day “suggestion list” of places to go based on your wishes and budget…or you can join her on an all-day foodie walkabout for shopping and tastings.

While she can’t guarantee that what you want will always be available, Wendy does promise an experience that’s rich and tailor-made. And if you don’t know exactly what you’re after, she’ll happily offer suggestions. “Some clients have a wish list,” she says, “and others want surprises. Some order the full menu while others prefer à la carte.”

For more info: www.wendy-lyn.com, contact@wendy-lyn.com, US number 850-303-0697, Paris number 06-77-29-60-56.