It’s convenient to take tours whenever you’re traveling to an unknown place. It’s even easier when you’re with an expert local who can save you the time of having to piece together your own adventure. Any Foodie can agree that cuisine is at the heart of every culture and can create a bond between even people from opposite corners of the world. The people who lead these food tours have seen firsthand, more than anyone, how dining experiences and learning together can create a friendship between all tourists. The best part about FoodieTrip is our guides, and their stories.
Marina Manasya
Barcelona, Spain
What is the most exotic or unusual food you’ve ever tried? Where were you when you tried it?
Curanto. It’s a typical dish from southern Chile that is a mix of seafood, pork, chicken and potatoes and cooked underground with nalca leaves.
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in your travels and why?
I recently met a couple in their late 70s at one of my tours in Barcelona. They were from New Zealand and they've been eating their way around the world since retirement. I found that amazing.
What cultivated your love for food and/or travel?
My whole family is Armenian, and over there food plays an important part in the culture. I grew up eating fantastic food prepared with fresh products from the local markets, and while travelling I always had the curiosity to taste the local food. I believe there is FOOD DNA in my blood, I just love the simple good stuff.
What are your culinary dreams?
I love sweet pastries, and i’ve been told I am very good at preparing sweets. I dream that one day I can prepare a 0 calories tiramisu and eat it without feeling guilty.
Brian Beard
Richmond, VA
What is the most exotic or unusual food you’ve ever tried? Where were you when you tried it?
As a teenager, I traveled to Norway, land of many...delicacies. I had the opportunity to try fish pudding, and my 13-year-old self thought, "Hey, it's got pudding in it, how unusual could it be?" Quite unusual, as it turns out. I don't remember exactly how it tasted (this was over 15 years ago, after all), but I do remember how it made me feel. I'm glad I tried it, but I'm not sure I could be easily convinced to try it again!
What cultivated your love for food and/or travel?
I'm lucky enough to have traveled quite a bit throughout my life. Most recently, my fiancee and I moved to Germany on one-year visas to do a bit of exploring while working and living in another country. It was life-changing, and when we eventually moved back to Richmond, VA, I decided that I wanted to continue having the freedom to travel and do interesting things. Doing food tours has been perfect; I regularly get to meet people during their travels, which keeps me hungry for more!
What are your culinary dreams?
I think I need to open my own ice cream laboratory! I love ice cream so much, there's a running joke about it among my friends and family. But for some reason, I haven't gotten into making my own yet (and I'm not sure why!). I think it would be so awesome to have a place where I can create all sorts of different flavors and textures, and share them with other like-minded people!
If you are traveling to Richmond, VA or Barcelona anytime soon, join Brian’s tour or Marina’s tour to experience the cities like the locals do.
Are you a food tour guide? We would love to feature you. Please email Tanya@foodietrip.com.