Ilbra Yacoob
As a Travel Advisor, I specialize in Culinary, Cultural and Eco-tourism Adventures. My expertise and passion are in creating immersive and luxurious experiences that take you to the heart and soul of your destination.
Eleven years of experience in the gourmet food industry and a lifetime of traveling and living in different countries, has exposed me to a variety of different cultures, and shaped my career as a Travel Advisor.
Whether it be a custom-tailored Safari bush dinner in Africa, a rainforest lodge on a coffee plantation in Panama, or learning the traditional way to quench your thirst with fresh ciders in Spain’s Basque Country, I can create an experience and journey that you will never forget.
Born in Tehran to Assyrian parents gave me a jump-start to an exciting journey. One that would soon expose me to the pleasures I hold so close to my heart today; Food, Culture, and Travel. Some of my earliest memories are of watching my mother and grandmother cook in the kitchen, and of walking the open-air bazaars of Tehran with my grandfather. I have always been fascinated by the different flavors, aromas, colors, and textures of food. Between the ages of 7 to 9, my family and I lived in Germany, where some of my favorite childhood memories were formed. Many of my days were spent exploring nature with my sister and being on our friend’s farm. To this day, the slightest hint of an aroma that resembles a hay-filled barn takes me back to those days of the beautiful countryside. It is no surprise that these are the nuances I appreciate in the foods I eat, and the places I travel to. A barnyardy washed-rind cheese and liverwurst will always make me smile.
Whether by nurture or nature, a passion for culinary excellence runs in my family, with my sister as a former Executive Chef and my personal experience as a brand ambassador for Gourmet foods. Throughout my career here in the states, I formed wonderful relationships with farmers, producers, and some of the finest chefs in Los Angeles. I came to understand the importance of sourcing the best ingredients created by the purest processes, and the close relationship between food and culture. Valrhona, the chocolate of choice for gourmet bakers, flew me to France to learn the ins and outs of chocolate. I have walked the olive groves of Kalamata Greece, where I learned about the production of olive oil. In Northern Spain, I trekked the mountainous regions of Navarre and Asturias with local shepherds and their livestock. I’ve crawled deep into the cold caves where Spain’s “King of Blue” cheese, the CABRALES, sits to age for 6 months. I’ve milked the Latxa sheep, who is responsible for the extraordinary smoked raw cheese, Idiazabal. My personal connection with producers allowed me to explore the aging rooms of Italy’s pride and joy, Prosciutto Di Parma where I witnessed the fine details and tradition that go into an exceptional product.
During a trip through Bulgaria and Spain with my partner I realized my calling. I found my bliss being amongst locals, breaking bread, drinking local wine and eating the cheeses brought in by the neighborhood cheese maker. A simple sipping of homemade Rakia in a quaint town sparked a conversation that lasted for 5 hours. It was this trip that inspired me to want to share this experience and type of travel.
It is my belief that Food, Culture, and the Environment are some of the strongest pillars of a society. They all take us to the root of who we are as citizens of this planet. I find great joy in helping my clients to discover and appreciate the many fascinating cultures around the globe.
It is no secret that I have a deep love for food, culture and travel.