Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Day 2: Blogging from NAFDMA (Culinary Tourism)

Culinary Tourism…not a word used much across Missouri, but things are changing.

This was the discussion of today’s Education Day at NAFDMA. Culinary Tourism is the pursuit of unique and memorable culinary experiences of all kinds, often when traveling. These types of tourists are normally younger, better educated, highly affluent, visit museums and cultural sites and choose destinations for food and wine experiences. In simple terms: These are the people that want to put a face to their food.

Consumers today want to put a face to their food and what’s a better way to provide them with this need then to open up the farm or market for farm cooking demonstrations, pick your owns, or even progressive dinners.

Today’s “Foodie Tour” opened our eyes on the future possibilities of where the direct marketing industry is headed. We visited eight restaurants/stores around downtown Savannah today and learned about how the Savannah community is promoting culinary tourism to not only tourists, but to locals as well.

On the tour we visited:
Wright Square Cafe
Savannah Bee Company Honey House
Lady and Sons
- Side note- I met Paula's Deen sons (Jamie and Bobby Deen) at the restaurant and had them sign a cookbook
Kitchens on the Square for cooking demonstrations
Mom & Nikki's Soul Food
Back in the Day Bakery

Leopold's Ice Cream
Polk's Fresh Market
The Distillery

Read more about the Foodie Tour at the NAFDMA Blog.

2 comments:

The Sellmeyer's said...

Ok, Lane, you are having way to much fun with your job! You get to go South in the winter, tour restuarants, eat good food & get your picture taken with celebs!!!!!!!
Tammy Sellmeyer

Lane said...

Now Tammy- I will admit yes it has been fun, but also work. Just think of all the great ideas I will have to bring back to Missouri!

BTW- Thanks for your comment!