What inspired you to launch C-ville Bites?
I launched C-ville Bites in late 2023 after working as a bar manager at South and Central. I had been hosting events through both South and Central and The Bebedero, and building out successful bar programs and events gave me the confidence to branch out on my own.
Looking back, C-ville Bites really grew out of everything I’d been working toward for the past 15 years, even though I didn’t know it at the time. That first year, I did a lot of experimenting. I partnered with the very talented Chef Kelvino Barrera (The Local) for pasta-making classes, started mixology classes at The Bebedero with the support and guidance of owner River Hawkins, and collaborated with Hazy Mountain on a dessert charcuterie class and a cookie decorating workshop.
The food tours were a core part of my vision from the beginning. The tours are a natural evolution of my experience working in so many restaurants on the Downtown Mall. I’ve always loved weekend nights out downtown, hopping between hot spots and hidden gems, catching up with bartender friends, chefs, and restaurant owners, and trying out their latest creations. These tours are a way of staying connected (and introducing guests!) to the community I’ve come to love and appreciate over the years.
Charlottesville has an incredible food scene, but it can feel a bit overwhelming, even as a local–you don’t always know where to go, what to order, or whether you need a reservation. I wanted to create an experience that brings it all together, highlighting multiple restaurants in one evening while sharing the stories behind them. C-ville Bites was my way of turning that into something fun, accessible, and memorable.
How do you create tours or classes that feel memorable as well as informational?
At the heart of everything I do is connection and community. I want my tours and classes to feel less like an “event” and more like a spontaneous gathering, a time where people can come together, relax, and connect over tasty food and delicious drinks. My background in hospitality has given me the tools to create that kind of space, but what matters most to me is the human experience–making people feel welcome, comfortable, and included. Especially now, when so much of life happens online, I try to create moments where people can slow down, be present, and find common ground, even if they just met. And that’s at the heart of every offering–bringing people together and creating a sense of community, even if it’s just for a short time.
You work closely with local chefs and businesses -- how has that collaboration shaped your company?
Working closely with local chefs and businesses has really shaped how I see and run C-ville Bites. Some of my favorite moments have been behind the scenes–tasting new cocktails at The Whiskey Jar, or something a chef just created on the fly (looking at you, Chef Will at Zocalo).
That creativity and personality in food and drinks is what inspires me, and it’s something I try to reflect in my own business. Through our offerings, I get to showcase not just the food, but the people and stories behind it, highlighting each restaurant’s unique talent and giving them a platform to share what they do best. It’s a true collaboration–they open their spaces to us, and I get to bring in guests who might not have discovered them otherwise. Getting to know the chefs, bartenders, and service staff who make up Charlottesville’s culinary community has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and it’s something I’m really excited to keep building on.
As a woman-owned business, what has your journey in the hospitality and food space been like?
Before I started C-ville Bites, I was already navigating a male-dominated space in the bartending world, trying to find my place. I do think men are often taken more seriously, and as a Latina woman, I’ve always felt like I needed to work a little harder, be a little sharper, and show up even more prepared.
Transitioning into C-ville Bites, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is to really lean into who I’m creating these experiences for. While events for everyone are important, it’s often women who are making the plans, buying the tickets, and bringing people together. So I’ve been very intentional about creating spaces where women feel comfortable, welcomed, and seen. That’s become a big part of my mission, because those kinds of spaces didn’t always exist for me, and I want to be able to offer that to others.
I also want to acknowledge the incredible support of other local women business owners: Erin Scala at Market Street Wine Shop was an early believer in my vision and a great supporter, and Cheley Napoli at The Bebedero is a constant cheerleader for my success.
When someone books their first experience with you, what do you hope they walk away feeling -- or remembering -- long after it’s over?
I want every one of my guests to leave feeling full in more ways than one, full from great food and drinks, but also from connection. Whether it’s a food tour or a cooking class, I hope they’ve met someone new, discovered a restaurant they’ll come back to, or picked up a new skill or technique they can take home with them. More than anything, I want them to walk away feeling welcomed, connected, and like they were an important part of something, like they got to experience and be part of our little community, even if just for a few hours.
The Future is Bright for C-ville Bites
C’ville Bites is expanding its food tours to Sundays, now offers bridal showers and wedding coordination services (specializing in small or non-traditional weddings), and is expanding cooking class offerings. Padilla invites any passionate chefs who want to share their skills in a small group setting to connect with her.