The daughter of a Veteran, Briana Garza knows all too well how overwhelming it can be to move to a new city. Garza, the owner of Chatt Taste Food Tours, has lived on three different continents. In each new place, finding where the locals frequently ate was her family’s first step in getting acclimated and finding community. This is where the idea for Chatt Taste Food Tours tour originated.
Chatt Taste Food tours allow locals and visitors to explore and experience the restaurants, architecture, and history that make Chattanooga a growing culinary destination. Each tour includes three to four local restaurants where guests are able to experience the culture and community of Chattanooga.
There are five tours to choose from and tours are offered seven days a week–making them a great option for date nights, networking, and small company gatherings. Available tours include: Downtown, MLK, Southside, Mural & Much, and Vegan Food Tours. Upcoming tours include: Dessert & Drinks and Farm to Table. Currently, twenty-three establishments are partnered with Chatt Taste Food Tours. In order to qualify to be featured on the tour, establishments must be locally owned, have an incredible story, and must have unique cuisine. If you are not sure which tour to book first, Garza recommends starting with the Downtown Chattanooga Food Tour based out of West Village as it is the oldest and most highly trafficked tour.
What would a tour be without a guide? A guide, or ambassador, accompanies guests for the duration of each tour providing trivia and history of the city and featured establishments. Each tour lasts two to three hours with about thirty minutes designated for each location. To ensure each tour is a smooth and fun experience, the chefs at each location serve tapas-sized portions. Guests indicate allergies and dietary restrictions at ticket purchase used by each establishment to curate a personalized dining experience for each tour. This process makes it a fun experience for the chefs as well. Garza shared there is one location on the Downtown Chattanooga Tour that has never served the same dish twice.
To begin each tour, guests meet their guide at an established meeting location–the first restaurant of the tour. This information is provided in a logistics email that is sent once a tour is booked. From there, guests, along with their guide, walk or drive to the next locations with walking distance ranging from one-third to one-half of a mile. If transportation is needed between locations, Chatt Taste Food Tours provides curbside pickup at each location so that guests are able to have a relaxing experience. What should guests wear? The good news is there is no dress code. Guests can wear whatever makes them comfortable. Garza’s only suggestion is that comfortable shoes be worn for walking tours.
Available dates and times for each tour are accessible when booking through the Chatt Taste Food Tours website (www.chatttaste.com). Tours range from $69 to $89 per person (with all food and gratuity included); each tour includes anywhere from two to ten guests. If a more intimate experience is desired, private tours can also be requested by emailing chatttaste@gmail.com with pricing for private tours based on group size (up to eight guests). So, if you’re looking for a new way to experience the city, book a Chatt Taste Food Tour to build community through food and conversation.