Kathy Bechtel’s obsession for food and cooking began as a teenager. After years following a traditional career path as a telecommunications engineer, she left to attend culinary school and wine training, and is now combining her passions for food and wine, the outdoors and travel as owner and Culinary Programmer of Italiaoutdoors Food and WIne. In this role, Kathy leads small bicycle, skiing, hiking and walking tours that explore the authentic regional cuisines, local products and undiscovered wines of Northeastern Italy.