5 Foodie Tours You Can’t Miss
I am not a foodie in the sense that I have “refined” palate or must have gourmet levels of fare. I am more of equal opportunity eater. New food experiences are a hobby I thoroughly (and occasionally gluttonously) enjoy. From savory to sweet, unique to classic, I love them all.
Except bugs. I don’t do bugs. I cannot seem to get over the texture.
Along my adventures in traveling around the world I have found some true hits and misses when it comes to the culinary world. One of the best sandwiches I have had cost $4.95 in Chicago. The best macaroni cheese was $18.99 for a bowl. I try not to associate quality with price and never discount an experience with food and culture.
So, if you like a bit of hand holding when it comes to a culinary adventure, here are 5 fantastic options…
Sugartooth Tours in New York – You had me at cookies! Sarah, one of the genius minds behind the tour, contacted us and appeared like a ray of sunshine through the clouds. There are a multitude of tours in NYC, but Sugartooth is the the only food tour company in NYC solely dedicated to desserts. Locals and tourists alike will find sweets and hidden gems that guests probably wouldn’t find on there own. Along with a tasty treat at each shop, guests get tons of info on the background of how each shop came to be. Year round they offer a “Find Heaven in Hell’s Kitchen Dessert Tasting Tour” with multiple seasonal tours: “Sweetheart’s Sweet Tour” in February, a “Cupcake Crawl Across Manhattan” April-August, “Ice Cream Summer Sundays Frozen Treats” tour July-September, and our “Holiday Market Tour” November-December.
New Orleans Culinary History Tours – No list would be complete without New Orleans. This tour can be a little more interactive. Sure, you can do the French Quarter Tasting and walk with a very happy belly. However, what piqued my interest was the New Orleans Cooking School Culinary Experience. The tour starts with a cooking demo that focuses on the differences between Creole and Cajun cuisine. Then you lunch in the French Quarter and face menus with gumbo, jambalaya, bananas foster and pralines.
Chicago Food Planet – My adoration of the Windy City is no secret. I am a small town, country girl having an affair with the culture and food in Chicago. A great way to explore that is with Chicago Food Planet Food Tours. There are several options to pick from: Gold Coast, Bucktown/Wicker Park and Chinatown. You will get a helping of culture and culinary delights at one-of-a-kind specialty food stores, ethnic delis and local restaurants. Chicago-style dogs, deep dish pizza, polish fare, sushi and even a brewpub offering are just a few of the tastes you will find on the tour.
Savor Seattle – It wasn’t until I met a couple of wonderful people on a cruise that I fell for Seattle. They opened my eyes to the food trail that doesn’t just involve coffee houses. Of course, if you love a cup of joe and chocolate – they certainly know the best spots. The walking tour of Pike Place is something I hope to do one day. ‘Top Chef’ fans might remember the contestants stopping by the market in season 10. With the company of a guide and fellow foodies, you will visit the original Starbucks and move onto worldly treats you can’t find on every street corner – like authentic Russian piroshky pastries.
Local Tastes of the City Tours in San Francisco – Explore the north beach neighborhood one bite at a time. Come hungry for Italian fare and be ready to watch breads bake in 130-year-old ovens, taste local olive oils, enjoy local pizza and savor exquisite pastries. There is also a Chinatown option that showcases everything from dim Sum, fortune cookies, teas and incredible antiquities to all kinds of musical instruments, authentic cookware and more.