Aida Mollenkamp
I'm a California-born food and travel expert and founder and CEO of Salt & Wind Travel, dedicated to helping people experience the world more deeply through thoughtful luxury travel that celebrates local cultures, supports small businesses, and preserves what makes each place unique.
About Me
I'm a food and travel expert, hospitality entrepreneur, television host, cookbook author, and founder and CEO of Salt & Wind Travel, a bespoke luxury travel planning company.
I grew up in Los Angeles and studied at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, where I combined hospitality, food, and wine studies with hands-on industry experience. I interned at the legendary Hotel Bel-Air and began my career as an analyst in Ernst & Young's Hospitality Advisory Services division. Traveling to hotels across the country gave me a behind-the-scenes look at what makes hospitality exceptional and what doesn't.
I later earned my Grand Diplôme at Le Cordon Bleu Paris and became Food Editor at CHOW Magazine before moving into television, hosting Ask Aida on Food Network, FoodCrafters on Cooking Channel, In the Pantry on Yahoo!, and Off Menu on Tastemade. I also wrote the cookbook Keys to the Kitchen to help home cooks feel more confident and adventurous.
In 2014, I founded Salt & Wind Travel and spent three years personally leading small-group trips through Italy and Mexico, cooking, wine tasting, and exploring alongside our travelers. Today, I lead a team that designs highly personalized luxury journeys, combining firsthand destination knowledge, trusted local relationships, and exceptional hospitality.
B.S., Hotel Administration
2002, Cornell University
Le Grand Diplôme
2004, Le Cordon Bleu Paris
WSET Level 2
2021, Wines Certified
Language Skills
Working proficiency in Italian, French, and Spanish
Food, Recipes, & Media
For more than 20 years, I've developed recipes and told food stories to help people feel more confident in the kitchen.
I've created more than 1,500 original recipes for CHOW Magazine, Food Network, my cookbook Keys to the Kitchen, and my website Salt & Wind, as well as for brands including Bob's Red Mill, KitchenAid, Aperol, Williams-Sonoma, California Grown, and Lucini Olive Oil.
And I haven't hung up my apron! I continue developing recipes, making television appearances, and collaborating on culinary projects. Whether I'm creating a recipe or exploring a regional specialty, I'm interested in connecting people with the traditions and communities behind it.
Travel Expertise
I've always believed that eating and cooking in a place is one of the best ways to understand it. I've lived in New York, Paris, Florence, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and now call Mammoth Lakes, California, home. I've spent years traveling to Hawaiʻi, France, and Italy, which has given me a deeper understanding of these places beyond the typical visitor experience.
Living in a tourism-driven mountain town has also shown me both the benefits and challenges of tourism. That perspective shapes how we plan travel at Salt & Wind, encouraging clients to slow down, stay longer, and support independent businesses.
Today, I continue researching destinations firsthand and sharing what I learn through our editorial travel guides and the bespoke journeys our team designs.
Salt & Wind Travel Today
Today, Salt & Wind Travel is a boutique luxury travel planning company. We design bespoke journeys for curious travelers who value exceptional hospitality, meaningful local experiences, and thoughtful attention to every detail.
Our team does more than book hotels. We research destinations firsthand, design original itineraries, and draw on longstanding local relationships to connect travelers with the people, places, and experiences that make a destination distinctive. From food and wine to cultural explorations, outdoor adventures, and milestone celebrations, we believe luxury is about personalization, genuine hospitality, and feeling understood.
I lead the company's vision, destination research, and partnerships alongside my husband, Chris Kalima and our experienced travel planning team.
Collaborations
I collaborate with food, hospitality, and destination brands to create original content, share expertise, and inspire more thoughtful approaches to food and travel.
I've partnered with HotelTonight, Visit California, Discover California Wines, Los Cabos Tourism, Fairmont Hotels, AmEx Travel, Zurich Tourism, Viking Cruises, onefinestay, and Consorzio Franciacorta.
I also regularly speak on industry panels and lead workshops covering hospitality, culinary culture, tourism, and entrepreneurship. In 2026, I spoke at the Paso Tourism Roundup, the California Agritourism Conference, and the Atout France Luxury Summit.
I'm especially interested in projects that celebrate regional culture, independent businesses, and strengthen connections between travelers and the communities they visit.
Social Proof
From Instagram and Facebook to Pinterest and the Salt & Wind platform, my footprint reaches more than 250,000 people. My reputation for finding the best in food, drink, and travel means my audience inherently trusts me.
I’d love to work with you.