How West Palm Beach Food Tours Was Born (And Why I’m Still So Passionate 11 Years Later)

Twelve years ago, I took my very first food tour in Austin, Texas.

That’s where the idea for West Palm Beach Food Tours was born.

My husband came along — reluctantly. He was convinced it would be tiny samples (not enough for a real meal) and that we already knew everything there was to know about Austin because we’d visited many times before.

Wrong and wrong.

By the end of that tour, we were completely hooked.
Not only were we full (very full), but we realized something surprising — we didn’t really know Austin at all. We knew the tourist spots. We knew the popular restaurants. But we didn’t know the stories, the hidden gems, the history woven into the food.

That one afternoon changed everything.

Since then, we’ve taken more than 50 food tours around the world. And every single one reinforces the same truth:

Food tells the story of a place better than anything else.

A Dream That Blended Two Lifelong Passions

As a little girl, I wanted to be two things:

A baker.
A travel agent.

At the young age of 50, I discovered a career that feeds both of those passions.

Culinary tourism is one of the fastest-growing trends in travel because it combines sightseeing and a meal into one delicious adventure. You get off the beaten path. You meet local chefs. You taste the flavors that define a region. And along the way, you absorb history, architecture, culture, and community.

When I launched West Palm Beach Food Tours 11 years ago, my goal wasn’t just to feed people.

It was to tell the story of West Palm Beach through food.

Guests are often surprised by how much of our area’s history can be shared over tacos, key lime pie, Cuban pastelitos, tropical fruits, or a perfectly crafted cocktail. That’s what makes a food tour different from a traditional sightseeing tour.

And let’s be honest — it’s a whole lot more fun than sitting on a trolley or double-decker bus.

My First Job: McDonald’s & The Power of a Smile

My very first job? I was your friendly McDonald’s girl.

And I learned something important very quickly:
A smile goes a long way — especially when someone gets the wrong order.

Recently, I saw a list titled “10 Things That Require Zero Talent.” It included:

• Being on time
• Work ethic
• Effort
• Body language
• Energy
• Attitude
• Passion
• Being coachable
• Doing extra
• Being prepared

I smiled when I read it because my first job taught me every single one of those things.

Today, I’m mostly behind the scenes at West Palm Beach Food Tours — making sure everything runs smoothly from the moment someone buys a ticket to the final bite of dessert. I’m also the one who answers the phone.

No robots. No call centers.

Just me.

Because I believe in customer service. I believe hospitality matters. And I believe when someone is choosing how to spend their vacation time (or their Saturday afternoon), it deserves real care and attention.

Why This Means So Much

I grew up in a family that valued travel and food. My father worked in government, so we moved frequently. Every time we relocated, we explored our new city. We learned about its culture. And of course — we ate the local specialties.

That rhythm of curiosity shaped me.

So when I started West Palm Beach Food Tours, I wasn’t just creating a business. I was creating the kind of experience I always loved having as a traveler — one that helps you feel connected to a place.

Last year, we were named the #4 Food Tour in the United States by USA Today. To say that was surreal would be an understatement.

We’re in the running again this year, and every vote feels personal. Because this isn’t just a company. It’s 11 years of passion. It’s relationships with chefs and restaurant owners. It’s stories shared on sidewalks. It’s laughter around tables. It’s thousands of guests who leave saying, “highlight of our vacation!”

And honestly? That never gets old.

If You’ve Ever Joined Us…

If you’ve walked and tasted with us, thank you.

If you’ve brought your visiting friends.
If you’ve celebrated a birthday.
If you’ve taken more than one tour.
If you’ve told someone, “You have to do this when you’re in West Palm Beach.”

You are part of this story.

And if you’d like to support us as we compete again this year, your vote means the world. It helps shine a spotlight on our local restaurants, our guides, and our beautiful West Palm Beach community.

Because at the end of the day, this has never just been about food.

It’s about connection.

It’s about community.

It’s about supporting local restaurants.

It’s about storytelling.

It’s about discovering that there’s always more to learn about the place you think you already know.

Have a delicious day,
Kristl 💛

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⭐ Help Us Bring the Title Home Again!

Last year, West Palm Beach Food Tours was named the #4 Food Tour in the United States by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

We’re honored to be nominated again this year!

If you’ve ever enjoyed a tour with us—or simply love supporting local restaurants and small businesses—we would be incredibly grateful for your vote.

👉 Vote for West Palm Beach Food Tours in the USA Today contest

Every vote helps shine a spotlight on our amazing local chefs, restaurants, and the delicious story of West Palm Beach.

Thank you for being part of our journey!