Denise Righetti built Savor Our City around a simple idea: shared food and drink can create stronger human connections. Her company designs tours; classes; tastings and team events that help groups meet authentically while supporting local restaurants and communities. This interview explores the relationships behind that work.
Hi! My name is Denise Righetti and I am the Founder and C.F.O. (Chief Foodie Officer) / C.W.O. (Chief Wine-O) of Savor Our City, an award-winning culinary-focused event planning company based in Boca Raton, FL. My passion is bringing people together through interactive experiences centered around food, wine, and cocktails that inspire connection and cultural immersion.
At Savor Our City, we curate engaging programs such as food tours, scavenger hunts, cooking and mixology classes, wine tastings, and other perfect pairing experiences. Our clients include local companies seeking unique team-building activities, organizations planning client or employee appreciation events, and convention groups looking for authentic local flavor. We also partner with cruise lines to design & operate culinary-focused shore excursions and collaborate with municipalities to spotlight mom-and-pop restaurants as part of their economic development initiatives.
Giving back is a big part of my mission. I am proud to partner with Wines for Humanity, a for-profit company that works with local nonprofit and charitable organizations to raise funds through their award-winning wines and in-home wine tasting events. This work allows me to combine my love of wine with supporting meaningful causes in our communities.
Beyond my professional life, I’m an avid traveler who enjoys both spontaneous weekend getaways and carefully planned overseas adventures. I love the outdoors—whether relaxing at the beach or skiing in the mountains—and also enjoy checking out new restaurants, attending movies, concerts, and comedy shows with friends, or winding down with a great Netflix series.
Company: Savor Our City
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Denise Righetti: Hi! My name is Denise Righetti. I’m a second-generation native South Floridian, born in Miami. At the age of 10, my family packed up and moved to New England, where I spent several formative years before heading west to California to finish high school and college. After graduation, I embarked on my first career adventure with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, serving as a Purser on board their ships. It was an incredible experience—traveling the world, meeting people from all walks of life, and gaining a true respect for cultural diversity. Looking back, I’m certain that this experience planted the seed for the work I do today.
The next pivotal chapter came when I became Marketing Manager for the largest property owner in Downtown Boca Raton. It was during my tenure there that I discovered my inner foodie. I loved curating creative tasting menus and unique events to support the 100+ mom-and-pop restaurants in their portfolio. The majority of these events took place after hours, which meant I was essentially running a second job—building a following, creating buzz, and bringing people together around food—all without additional pay or time off. That’s when I realized it was time to follow in my father’s footsteps as an entrepreneur and take the leap to build something of my own, fueled by my passion.
That leap became Savor Our City™, an award-winning culinary-focused event planning company headquarted in Boca Raton, FL. As the CFO (Chief Foodie Officer) / CWO (Chief Wine-O) that I started 11 years ago with one experience in one city. Today, we curate immersive food and wine experiences nationwide. Our signature experiences range from food tours, scavenger hunts, cooking classes to mixology workshops, wine tasting & etiquette seminars perfect for team-building activities and corporate events – all designed to connect people, celebrate culture, and support local communities. Beyond my company, I stay active in philanthropy through my work with Wines for Humanity, a for-profit organization that partners with nonprofits and charitable groups to raise funds through wine tastings featuring their award-winning wines. This partnership allows me to combine my passion for wine with my desire to give back to meaningful causes.
Outside of work, I’m an avid traveler—always up for a spontaneous weekend getaway or a carefully planned overseas adventure. I love spending time outdoors, whether it’s relaxing at the beach or skiing in the mountains, and I enjoy checking out new restaurants with friends, catching a good movie, laughing at a comedy show, singing along at concerts, or winding down with a great Netflix series.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Denise Righetti: If I were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, I’d say: Savor Our City™ is an award-winning event planning company that brings groups together and curates interactive and engaging experiences that center around food, wine & cocktails nationwide. From food tours and cooking classes and “Iron Chef” style competitions to wine tastings, mixology workshops, and scavenger hunts, we bring people together in meaningful ways that create connection, team spirit, and unforgettable memories.
What makes us different is our ability to tailor every experience to the client. We don’t just offer cookie-cutter tours—we create bespoke events that spotlight local mom-and-pop restaurants, support communities, and highlight authentic culture in each city we serve.
Our biggest strength is twofold: first, the depth of our relationships with local chefs, restaurants, and artisans; and second, our creativity in designing experiences that engage all the senses. That combination allows us to deliver programs that are not only fun but also impactful—whether that impact is strengthening a corporate team, giving visitors a true taste of a destination, or driving economic growth for local businesses.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, is an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Denise Righetti: I’ve learned that employees thrive when they feel valued and connected to a greater purpose. To adapt to today’s shifts, I focus on leading with empathy—listening more, recognizing contributions, and creating shared experiences that foster belonging. It’s the same philosophy we bring to Savor Our City™ events: when people feel engaged, appreciated, and part of something meaningful, they’re not just happier—they’re inspired to stay and grow.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Denise Righetti: While virtual tastings and classes aren’t as much in demand these days, the technology and capability are still there if clients request it. Looking ahead, we see the bigger opportunity in using technology—especially AI—to enhance both our marketing and our client experience.
1. Marketing & Outreach with AI
Using AI to personalize outreach campaigns and segment audiences more effectively (meeting planners, corporate HR, DMCs, etc.).
Leveraging predictive analytics to identify trends in culinary tourism and anticipate client needs.
Automating repetitive tasks (email follow-ups, proposals, social scheduling) to free up time for high-touch client interactions.
2. Enhancing Client Experience
Offering seamless online booking and payment systems for tours and events.
Using digital itineraries, tasting passports, and scavenger hunt maps that guests can access on their phones.
Creating post-event digital touchpoints (photo galleries, recap videos, surveys) to extend the experience.
3. Strengthening B2B Relationships
Using CRM tools and AI-driven platforms to track client preferences, so repeat corporate clients get highly customized recommendations.
Building a knowledge base or online resource hub for meeting planners to easily see what experiences are available in each city.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Denise Righetti: Our biggest challenge right now is scaling to meet demand while being under-capitalized. We’ve proven the concept and built strong demand across multiple markets, but without significant ad spend or event support, growth is slower than it could be. The exciting part is that this challenge highlights our opportunity— with the right strategic partners or investment, we’re perfectly positioned to expand quickly and amplify our impact
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Denise Righetti: I think one of the most underestimated parts of running a company is just how much time and energy goes into things you don’t see on the surface—especially financial planning and business development. People often assume it’s all about the fun, forward-facing work, but behind the scenes, it’s about wearing many hats and constantly balancing priorities.
For example, as we continue to expand Savor Our City™ into new markets, I am now realizing how much more planning and resources are needed beyond delivering a great client experience. It has taught me that passion alone isn’t enough—you also need discipline, adaptability, and a strong handle on the business side to sustain growth.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Denise Righetti: If I could pick a business superpower, it would be the ability to instantly clone myself. As a solo founder, I’m often juggling multiple priorities at once—fielding new RFPs, operating tours, and expanding into new markets by building relationships with venues and suppliers. Having a ‘clone’ would let me focus on growth and innovation while my double handled the day-to-day logistics. It would be the perfect balance of working in the business and on the business at the same time.
