Meet Denise Righetti | Founder/CFO (Chief Foodie Officer), CWO (Chief Wine-O)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Denise Righetti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denise, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My passion for travel, culture, and cuisine was sparked early on during my first job working aboard cruise ships for Royal Caribbean. It was an incredible introduction to the world—meeting people from all walks of life and tasting flavors from every corner of the globe. That experience planted a seed that would one day grow into my business.

Before launching my company, I was the Marketing Manager for the largest property owner in Downtown Boca, supporting over 100 restaurant tenants. I thrived in that role—constantly dreaming up creative ways to spotlight local restaurants and designing events that brought the community together. The events I created were a hit, drawing foodies from all around. But as the success of those events grew, so did my responsibilities—without any additional time off or compensation. That’s when I had a lightbulb moment: What if I took this concept I was so passionate about and made it my own?

So I did. I set out to fine-tune what I had been doing and built a business rooted in everything I love—creating unforgettable, food-centered experiences that bring people together. Savor Our City was born out of that vision, and every tour, class, or tasting is an extension of my journey and joy for connecting people through the universal language of food.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Savor Our City isn’t your average tour company—we specialize in curating unforgettable, bespoke culinary experiences that bring people together in meaningful ways. What truly sets us apart is the scope and customization of what we offer. From hands-on cooking classes and mixology workshops to photo scavenger hunts, food tours, and etiquette-based wine tastings, we tailor each event to fit the group, the city, and the moment.

We operate nationwide, which allows us to tap into the local flavor of each destination, and our commitment to excellence runs deep. From the moment an inquiry hits our inbox, we respond promptly—within 12 hours, every time. Our clients trust us because we deliver: 99.9% of the time, we’re hitting the mark or exceeding expectations. And as a cherry on top, we provide a professional keepsake video within three business days, so our clients can relive the magic and share it with their teams.

Getting here wasn’t easy—it’s been a journey of grit, creativity, and constant evolution. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve worn all the hats, solved problems on the fly, and learned that adaptability is everything. I’ve learned that being proactive, responsive, and truly listening to clients is what turns a one-time event into a lasting relationship.

What I want the world to know is this: Savor Our City is more than a service—it’s a celebration of connection, culture, and culinary discovery. Our story is rooted in passion and powered by purpose, and we’re just getting started.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, since Savor Our City operates in multiple cities, I could take my pick—but let’s go with Orlando, one of my favorite spots and a place where we offer some truly unforgettable experiences. For my bestie, I’d craft an itinerary that blends culture, flavor, and a little bit of local magic.

We’d kick things off with our Asian Street Food Tour in the Mills 50 District—it’s vibrant, authentic, and packed with bold flavors. From there, we’d enjoy a relaxing Scenic Boat Tour through Winter Park to soak up the natural beauty and a bit of history. For dinner, we’d keep it playful with a lively pub crawl, hopping between some of Orlando’s most iconic watering holes. And no night out would be complete without a visit to Mathers, the ultimate speakeasy with serious Gatsby vibes.

If the stars aligned and my dear friend Chef Paul—aka The Chocolate Genius—was in town, I’d absolutely make sure we paid him a special visit so she could partake in a truly magnificent chocolate & wine pairing experience. It’s an exclusive one we offer only to our private groups and it’s like nothing else:

Whether it’s sipping craft cocktails, exploring hidden gems, or indulging in a decadent chocolate immersion,, the week would be filled with fun, flavor, and unforgettable memories—just the way we do it at Savor Our City.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely—I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unwavering support of my inner circle. In the early days of launching Savor Our City, it was my family and friends who showed up, quite literally, to help me get things off the ground. They were my first “tour guests,” my unofficial team, cheerleaders, and sometimes even fill in staff or financial supporters when needed! Their willingness to jump in, show up, and believe in my vision—even when it was still taking shape—gave me the confidence to keep going. I’ll always be grateful for that grassroots support system. Every successful event and happy guest today has a little piece of their encouragement behind it.

Website: https://www.savorourcity.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savorourcity

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniserighetti

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savorourcity

Image Credits
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