connoisseur club
Connoisseur Club

Past Trip Experiences



The World at Your Feet

Since 2003, the Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club travelers have visited some amazing destinations, with exclusive access to world-famous chefs, dining venues and “back stage passes” to the world's finest wineries, all personally selected by our local experts, Michael and Tommy Klauber.

Here is a sample of some of the events and places that Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club has taken our guests:

  • Lunch at the picker's table at Châteaux Margaux, France
  • Lantern-lit dinner in the twilight South African savannah
  • Cocktails & dinner overlooking Portofino
  • Chef-guided market tours in Santiago and Barcelona
  • Game dinner in the cellar of Meerlust in South Africa
  • Clam bake on the beautiful shores of Bar Harbor, Maine
  • Sumptuous lunch at the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain

There is so much more to a journey with the Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club than can be described! In addition to the exclusive access to outstanding chefs, dining and venues, you are traveling among friends, not a stuffy tour group. The days are remarkable and the nights are magic! Don't be the one whose friends can't stop gushing about the fabulous Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club trip YOU should have taken, too!


Tommy and Michael at Singita Game Reserve, South Africa

Traveling with the Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club

Chef Tommy Klauber and Michael Klauber have been immersed in the hospitality business since they were children, growing up on the shores of Longboat Key, Florida at their family-owned Colony Beach and Tennis Resort. They have been fortunate to study and travel the culinary highways of the world extensively and are consummate hosts as you might expect!

Michael opened the successful, award-winning Michael's On East Restaurant in Sarasota over 20 years ago.  Tommy has owned and operated the highly-acclaimed Pattigeorge's since 1997, and recently opened a new restaurant in Lakewood Ranch's shopping and dining district, Polo Grill and Bar. Tommy is one of America's brightest and most creative chefs and Michael is one of the most well-known restaurateurs and wine experts in the US. Today their almost unlimited access to chefs and winemakers around the world consistently create one-of-a-kind experiences. Their seven Connoisseur Club culinary adventures to date have taken them (and their fellow travelers!) to France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Napa Valley and Southeast Asia.

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