Editor’s Note:Chris Bartlett, co-founder and co-host of Worth Tasting, contributed to this column
Food, the love language of travel, most times, stands the test of time, and more importantly, remains central to the many memories we conjure up, surrounding the places we visit and explore. There is something about food and passion that naturally goes together like chocolate and peanut butter or rice and beans. Whether we are heading somewhere farther away or planning a more localized day trip, food and beverage will always be the greatest common denominator that most defines both the people and the places where we spend the precious free time our lives afford us.
Oftentimes, food is the best part of any trip we take. The food-tourism industry is relatively new. In the book, “Have Fork Will Travel,” by Erik Wolf defines it as “the pursuit and enjoyment of unique and memorable food and drink experiences, both near and far.”
Seriously, who doesn’t relish an eclectic and tantalizing food festival . . .? How about a delish international dish anyone? Can you even say food trucks without thinking about what you might order at the next take-out window you find yourself standing in front of . . . From restaurants and local markets to food-production factories, cooking classes and culinary walking tours, most of us cannot get enough of these kinds of experiences both at home, and on the road.
Today, destination marketing organizations are curating beer, wine, cheese and even chocolate trails. They can be very specific, considering these: BBQ Trail in Mississippi, Pimento Cheese Trail in South Carolina, Pepperoni Trail in West Virginia, the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky, and Pennsylvania’s Pickled: A Fermented Trail. There’s even a hotel with culinary-inspired designs throughout the property, complete with an epicurean theatre; in other words, a paradise for foodies.
I can still recall so many memories of what and where we ate, on my first-ever culinary-walking tour in Portland, Oregon, some 15-plus years ago. Perhaps the only thing hotter than that 104-degree day, was my instantaneous passion and fervor, to not only go on tours such as this one everywhere I could find them (way less tours existed back then), but to launch a tour in my current home city of New Haven, Connecticut, where I had recently began a stint as a food columnist for the New Haven Register. The column was the ideal vehicle for me to share my passion for culinary travel experiences. It enabled me to celebrate the talented chefs and share their stories with each of my columns. Thus, Worth Tasting, a Culinary-Walking Tour of Downtown New Haven was born and took its first group through the Elm City’s streets, to markets, restaurants, and specialty food shops. The tour’s co-founder and co-host, Chris Bartlett, had a vision to expand, beyond the New Haven tour. Many people have written, asking how they might “live” the culinary travel features I write.
Voila, Worth Tasting Weekends is launching, which has its premiere weekend set for October 20-23 at The Addison on Amelia Island, Florida. It seems people cannot get enough food and culinary outings; thus the industry has quickly sophisticated to offer myriad, themed-food-and-specialty-beverage tours and getaways globally. From local and regional culinary-walking tours to weekend food festivals and themed excursions, it seems now is the time to dive into trying one of these out, and it doesn’t matter if you are foodie or simply enjoy sharing time together with friends and family, experiencing one of life’s simple pleasures…food.
Before I delve deeper into the upcoming Worth Tasting: Culinary Weekend in Paradise, here are some of the culinary tours in Greater Philadelphia. I cannot encourage you enough to give one of these a try – it will change your feelings on how to experience food from different neighborhoods to a city at large.
· City Food Tours https://www.phillysfoodtour.com/
· StrEATS of Philly Food Tours https://www.streatsofphillyfoodtours.com/tour/
· Chew Philly Food Tours 215-600-4891
· Philly Food Tours (814) 430-3026
· Tiny Table Tours https://www.tinytabletours.com/
· Philly Food Adventures https://www.phillyfoodadventures.com/
· Secret Food Tours https://www.secretfoodtours.com/philadelphia/
· City Brew Tours https://www.citybrewtours.com/philadelphia/
Now, if you travel through Pennsylvania, beyond Greater Philadelphia, to explore food landmarks across the state, a copy of Pennsylvania “Good Eats: Exploring the State’s Favorite, Unique, Historic, and Delicious Foods,” by Brian Yarvin (2021, Globe Pequot, $21.95) is a must. The author writes, “it’s the right time to take a fresh look at what Pennsylvania eats.”
If a fall trip is on your agenda, then plan a weekend in paradise; Worth Tasting: An Exciting Tasting Tour on Amelia Island. You’ll spend the weekend in historic downtown Fernandina Beach, FL on Amelia Island learning the secrets of creating food boards to enjoy at the inn as well as ideas to take home to share and prepare for family and friends. The culinary weekend includes a 3-course breakfast each morning at the inn, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, an evening social hour with complimentary beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the inn, dinner Friday night at a local brewery plus Sunday night at España Restaurant and Tapas. There’s more…a culinary walking tour in the historic district, a visit to the farmers market to pick up the freshest items to make beautiful food boards and a luncheon at Story & Song, a two-story bookstore followed by a cookbook market. Attendees will also receive a copy of a cookbook featuring food boards. For a detailed itinerary and reservations visit bit.ly/3QXgI4j
The inn’s three Antebellum-style buildings surround a courtyard, fountain, and charming gardens. Lisa West, owner of the inn with her husband Ron, said, “the inn blends the elegance of a bygone era with the modern amenities and conveniences the discriminating traveler expects.” By the way, Lisa hails from the Philadelphia area, and looks forward to catching up on what’s going on in her hometown when you visit. Watch my interview with Lisa here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOIs2pn2qUk
Complimentary bikes to explore Fort Clinch and/or Eagan’s Creek are available at the inn. A block away is Center Street, where you can check out boutiques, shops, museums galleries and of course food, that is if you are still hungry with all the food included during the weekend.
I look forward to having you join me to experience much of what I wrote about The Addison on Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, earlier in the year. Check out the website below and be the first to know about other destinations as they are rolled out by subscribing to the blog.
Stephen Fries, is Professor Emeritus and former coordinator of the Hospitality Management Programs at Gateway Community College, in New Haven, CT. He has been a food and culinary travel columnist for the past 15 years and is co-founder of and host of “Worth Tasting,” a culinary walking tour of downtown New Haven, CT. He is a board member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. [email protected] For more, go to stephenfries.com.
