Self-proclaimed "culinary evangelist" Beth Heidrich
Gastro tour guide Beth Heidrich says the idea for her company, St. Louis Culinary Tours, was born of a desire to impress her future in-laws.
“Because of my background in PR for places like L’Ecole Culinaire, I knew a lot of chefs,” she remembers. “I finagled a fun private tour, and the idea grew from there.”
In 2013, St. Louis Culinary Tours was named the No. 1 gourmet walking tour in the U.S. by Wine Enthusiast, and it continues to go from strength to strength. In 2018, Heidrich plans to offer two public tours a month, up from one, and anticipates many more requests for private events.
She describes her tours as "three and a half delicious hours." "It’s the meal of the day, and a lot of food,” she says, adding that public tours take place on Saturdays at noon, are limited to 12 people, and include at least three restaurants, usually in the same neighborhood. Tickets are around $120 per person and cover all food and drink, as well as exceptional personal service and an exclusive peep inside the kitchens of some of the city’s best known chefs. Heidrich donates a large portion of these proceeds to Operation Food Search.
Private events, meanwhile, are tailored to specific groups. These, Heidrich says, could be as small as an engagement party for two or a much larger corporate group. They could involve multiple restaurants as well as field trips to wineries and breweries.
In 2018, Heidrich says she will host an event at a private home where a big-name chef will give demos, and two Illinois distilleries will manage the bar. “I figure out everyone’s expectations and work to exceed them,” she says. Among the tours for 2018 will be Kirkwood, with stops at One 19 North Tapas and Wine Bar, Amigo’s Cantina, and Sunset 44 Bistro; and Clayton, which will feature Bar Les Freres, The Wine Merchant, and Pastaria.
Check St. Louis Culinary Tours' website for additions and updates.
