Kim, Chef Walter and Sofia

Kim and Walter Eagleton were married in 1985, and had their first “travel adventure” to England and France in 1986. Since that time, they have traveled throughout the States, Europe, the British Isles, New Zealand, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Caribbean, and Mexico. After one “surprise” trip to France (Kim has a history of planning trips with destinations unbeknownst to Walter until they arrive at the airport!) in which they spent a glorious week at the Walnut Grove Cookery enhancing their cooking skills in the beautiful Loire Valley, they have both fallen in love with the countryside and the lifestyle, and now reside in the western Loire Valley of France. Kim and Walter have two wonderful sons.

Artistic Gourmet Adventures is the result of many friends and acquaintances expressing a desire to “tag along” on one of their trips. After many cruises, tours, and excursions, Kim and Walter decided they really enjoyed the “small, intimate group” experience, and in 2014 they launched Artistic Gourmet Adventures to provide such an experience to others.

In June of 2018 Walter graduated from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Culinary Institute with the honor of the Le Cordon Bleu’s highly acclaimed Diplôme de Cuisine which is a classical chef training course that offers the most rigorous and comprehensive programme in French culinary techniques and international cuisine available today.

In addition, Walter has prepared many private multi-course dinners for up to 16 guests in an intimate venue and for charity.  As part of a giving back to the community, Walter and Kim began donating a series of five-six course dinners to be auctioned off at charitable events. One such dinner sold for over $5000 and ‘beat out’ a dinner to be prepared by the namesake of a famous restaurant chain! On all our Adventures, Walter works his magic in the kitchen for our Adventurers using locally grown and available produce.  Truly the Taste of the Region!

Walter is also a professional photographer (*PPA Certified, Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman), a photographic instructor, and had owned a portrait studio in Denton, Texas www.eagletonphotography.com from 1994 – 2018. He was an actor and also has an MME (Master of Music Education) with emphasis in Jazz.

By profession, Kim is a Board Certified Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science degree, but loves the challenge of planning and organizing travel adventures, and caring for people, as well as co-hosting many gourmet private dinner parties with Walter.

Both Kim and Walter enjoy making people happy, be it through the service of food, travel or photography instruction. Every attention to detail is considered to make Artistic Gourmet Adventures an experience of a lifetime.

And now introducing the newest member of our team who will be taking over when we go on to our retirement Adventure!

With over two decades of international hospitality and luxury service experience, Sofia brings a unique blend of high-level concierge expertise, administrative precision, and a deep understanding of elite client expectations. Her career spans roles across ultra-luxury cruise ships, superyachts, five-star hotels, and real estate, culminating in a well-rounded and deeply service-oriented professional background.

She has held key guest-facing and administrative positions aboard renowned cruise lines such as Regent Seven Seas (MS Voyager, MS Mariner), Oceania Cruises (MS Riviera), and Princess Cruises (Sapphire, Emerald, and Caribbean Princess), as well as elite vessels like SeaDream II and The World, where she served as both Concierge and Real Estate Broker. She was also involved in shipyard administration and office setup for Project Crystal (MY Katara) with Lürssen in Germany.

Her yachting experience includes Chief Stewardess and interior leadership roles aboard multiple private and charter yachts ranging from 29 to 124 meters, including MY Diane, Veni Vidi Vici, Namasté, Georgia Rose, and Tacanuya. These roles demanded exceptional discretion, detail orientation, and adaptability in high-pressure, high-standard environments.

On land, she has worked with prestigious hospitality establishments such as The Ritz-Carlton Penha Longa and Lawrence’s Hotel in Sintra, Portugal. Her experience also extends into the wellness and travel sectors through work with Pharma Nord and boutique travel agencies. Sophia is perfect to lead Artistic Gourmet Adventures into the future! These are some of the countries she has experience in!

  • Russia (both sides, West and East)
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • China
  • Taiwan
  • Hainan
  • Philippines
  • Indonesia
  • Brunei
  • Vietnam
  • Laos
  • Cambodia
  • Thailand
  • Singapore
  • Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
  • Australia East and Perth
  • Tasmania
  • New Zealand
  • India
  • Qatar
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Tunisia
  • Morocco
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • France
  • United Kingdom/England
  • Italy
  • Croatia
  • Slovenia
  • Montenegro
  • Greece
  • Bulgaria
  • Romania
  • Ukraine
  • Turkey
  • Cyprus
  • Belgium
  • The Netherlands
  • Germany
  • Denmark
  • Norway
  • Sweden
  • Finland
  • Estonia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Puerto Rico
  • Jamaica
  • Turk and Caicos islands
  • Cayman Islands
  • The Bahamas
  • Aruba
  • Curaçao
  • Anguilla
  • Antígua and Barbuda
  • Guadalupe
  • Martinique
  • Dominica
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vicente and the Grenadines
  • Barbados
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • British Virgin Islands
  • St. Marteen
  • Bermuda
  • West side of Mexico
  • Vancouver Canada
  • Alaska
  • And on a tour to see the Silverback Gorillas, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.