In 2008, after 30 years at the highest levels of the food and beverage industry (details), Stephen Reiss and his wife, Famed Photographer Janet Engelhard, sold everything to travel the world, see the sights, and taste the tastes.

After 100+ countries, four complete circumnavigations of the globe, a lifetime in the hospitality industry, decades consulting to restaurants, wineries and corporations, cooking hundreds of meals on every continent (except Antartica, and he is more than willing), he has made Cuenca, Ecuador his home.

Trained in Computers, fell in love with cooking, only then to discover a rare talent for wine.

2nd Generation Computer Professional, specializing in all things Apple.

20 Years in the prestigious Aspen Restaurant scene, front and back.

35 Years in the Wine Industry: Competing, Importing, Consulting, Teaching and Writing.

Entrepreneur with multiple companies ranging from Publishing to Private Investigations. (Retired)

A dozen (and counting) books on food & wine.