Culinary Tours Spotlight Midwest Cuisine

Learn Great Foods is a new company that offers culinary tours in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Missouri. Tours range from a half day to three days and typically  include cooking demonstrations or hands-on classes, gourmet meals, and chances to meet farmers, growers, butchers, bakers and winemakers.

Besides scheduled tours for small groups, Learn Great Foods can customize tours for groups of eight or more. Among the many options are a weekend retreat for chocolate lovers in Northwest Illinois, a cheese-focused day tour in Wisconsin and a day at the Fairfield (Ia.) Farmer’s Market. Tours also could spotlight wine, beef, bison, fish, herbs or mushrooms.

For bus tour groups, “Tasting” options (1½ to 2 hours) can be arranged from April to October in Mount Carroll, Ill., and Cedar, Mich., on the Leelanau Peninsula. Tastings are available for chocolate, cheeses, salts, oils, vinegars and more.  Tour members get a rating sheet, information about the growing practices in different parts of the world and the chance to ask local chefs about their use of the ingredients. Tastings can be customized and paired with a culinary demonstration and meal or snack. Prices range from $15 to $35 per person, depending on the tasting and/or meal option chosen. Up to 60 can be accommodated.

(866-240-1650, www.learngreatfoods.com)

Southern Culinary Delights Await Group Travelers

A glimpse at each of the Southern states spotlights restaurants, cooking classes, food tours, food festivals, farmers markets and regional specialties, all with group appeal. Read more