Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a collection of our frequently asked questions. Got a question that isn’t answered here? Reach out to us via email or at 855-243-9224.

• Does a story-led tour mean that we are on our own?

  Not at all! Our Story-Led experiences are fully planned and hosted through your itinerary — a beautifully written guide that leads you step by step through the day. It tells you where to start, where to end, and every flavour in between. Each stop is expecting you with a sip, a taste, and a smile — often by name. All you need to do is arrive and enjoy!

• How does a Story-Led tour work?

  Your Story-Led experience follows a timed, pre-booked itinerary designed just for your group. You’ll receive your itinerary 48 hours before your tour, complete with tasting times, directions between stops, and a few local stories and insider tips along the way.

  There’s no app to download — just open the itinerary on your phone and follow it step by step. Each business knows you’re coming and has everything prepared for your arrival, so it feels effortless and personally hosted even without a guide in person.

• What if we decide we’d prefer to have a guide?

  No problem at all! If, after reviewing your itinerary, you’d like to have one of our local guides join you in person, we can easily add that on (subject to availability). Your guide will take care of everything — from storytelling and pacing to photography and introductions — while still keeping the same curated route and tastings.

   

  🌿 Still wondering if Story-Led is right for you?

  It’s perfect for travellers who enjoy a little independence, love discovering at their own rhythm, and appreciate a day that’s beautifully organized, yet delightfully easy.

• What’s included in a Hosted tour?

  A Hosted tour includes everything — tastings, beverages, gratuities, and a local guide who leads the way from start to finish. Your host brings the story to life in person, sharing insider insights about the chefs, makers, and communities that flavour each stop. You’ll be personally introduced to the people behind the food and feel like a welcomed guest everywhere you go.

• What does the guide do during the tour?

  Your guide acts as your storyteller, timekeeper, and local insider. They manage all the details — confirming tastings, adjusting the pace, taking photos if you’d like — so you can simply relax and savour the experience.

  Your guide escorts you to each stop, sharing the stories and connections that bring the place to life. Once you’re seated and settled, they step aside to give you space to enjoy your tasting privately — perfect for conversation and connection. While you’re dining, your guide usually goes ahead to the next stop, confirming your estimated arrival time and ensuring everything is ready for your seamless transition.

  When you’re ready, they rejoin you to continue the story. It’s all designed to feel effortless and personal — with every detail quietly handled behind the scenes.

• Is the itinerary fixed or flexible?

  Each tour follows a curated, timed itinerary so tastings are perfectly prepared when you arrive. Within that framework, your guide can personalize the experience — adding extra photo moments, a quick shop visit, or more time where the conversation flows. It’s structured, but never rushed.

• How is this different from a Story-Led tour?

  Both experiences include the same tastings and storytelling. The difference is how the story is shared.

  • Hosted tours include a local guide who personally leads the day — introducing you to your hosts, managing logistics, and preparing each stop ahead of your arrival — while allowing you time to enjoy your tastings privately.

  • Story-Led tours deliver the same curated route through a digital itinerary, allowing you to explore independently at your own rhythm.

  🌿 Hosted tours are perfect for guests who love conversation, connection, and being fully taken care of — with a local storyteller leading the way and ensuring every stop is ready before you arrive.

• Why are guides optional on your tours?

  When in-person experiences paused during the pandemic, we reimagined how to keep sharing BC’s food stories — and that’s how our Story-Led format was born. Instead of cancelling, we turned our curated itineraries into friendly “remote guides,” allowing guests to follow the same routes, stories, and tastings safely and independently.

  Guests loved the freedom — a day fully planned, where all you have to do is show up hungry and ready for fun. No decisions, no debating where to go next — just connection, flavour, and discovery at your own pace.

  Prefer the added insight of a local storyteller? Choose Hosted when booking to enjoy the same itinerary with one of our guides leading the way.

  Love the idea of sharing the day with fellow food lovers? Opt for our Join a Group experiences — still intimate in size, but full of lively conversation and community.

• Does having no guide mean that we can show up anytime and that we have to pay for our food and drink?

  We’ve got you!

  Every delicious sip, morsel and experience has been planned for you. And all curated tastings are included in the price of your tour!

  While you will have some flexibility within your itinerary there are certain times that we have reserved just for you!

• How much money should we take on tour with us?

  You would be fine if you left your wallet at home! Really! On every one of our tours we have factored in the cost of all of your tastings, takeaways and even tips!*

  However, you might want to bring some spending money just in case because you’re definitely going to see some great things along the way!

  Note: Our chef-hosted tasting with Chef Vikram Vij at Vij’s includes one glass of welcome bubbles (alcohol or alternative). Should you wish to purchase wine or other beverages, you may pay the restaurant directly the night of your tasting experience.

• Do you cater to gluten-free or plant-based or vegetarian diets?

  When booking your tour, please let us know of any allergies, restrictions or preferences. We want to provide food tours for all and will do our best to accommodate your requests.

• I noticed that you serve alcohol on your tours, but I don’t drink alcohol.

  Our tours are food focused. Although you will have the option to enjoy a glass of wine or beer or a cocktail depending on which tour you take, we always ask you your preference before the tour. Your destination hosts will be prepared to offer you an alternative.

• Will there be anyone else taking the tour at the same time as our group?

  Although you may see other folks on tour, you will always be seated at your own table or moving between locations on your own schedule.

  At certain locations the hosts may speak to more than one group at a time but our tours are always intimate in size.
  Give a wave to the other folks with the Tasty Totes but enjoy the day all to yourself!

  Be sure to check out our Join a Group option if you want to meet other people who love to discover communities through a culinary lens!

• I’m thinking about bringing my partner on tour and he has a very big appetite. Will there be enough food with the curated tastings on tour?

  100%!

  We have never had anyone say that they didn’t have enough to eat on tour! On the contrary, you may have to take some of your tastings home with you! Some of our regular guests have even brought small containers with them to take home leftovers!

• Is there a lot of walking on tour? I’m not sure that I can handle a long walk.

  All of our tours are less than 2 kms in length. This distance is spread out over about 5 hours on our walking tours. With plenty of time to sit and relax in between, you’ll find that it’s an active stroll. Our newest tour, in Chilliwack’s District 1881 is only about 400 m over the entire tour making it ideal for anyone with mobility issues.

  If you would prefer to linger over a chef-hosted experience, see the options available through our With The Chef options where you will stay at one location throughout the evening.

  If you want to do one of our tours but you’re not sure if you can manage it, reach out to us. We’d love to see what we can do for you.

• I own a business and would like to take my employees on an outing. Can you custom curate a corporate outing?

  We love working with business owners to put together delicious tours for team building or client appreciation. Reach out to us for more information through our corporate page here.

  Please note that all consultations are subject to a $150.00 deposit prior to proposal presentation. This deposit is fully applicable to your tour upon booking.

• We have plans to travel to a location in BC soon. Unfortunately there are no food tours available there. We are foodies and want to get a taste of the place. Can you help us? We love the Chew On This Tasty Tours model!

  You bet we can!

  We are experts at building itineraries and we have the connections to curate a delicious and memorable food-focused adventure wherever you go! Reach out via our Contact Us page for your custom curated itinerary.

  Please note that all consultations are subject to a $150.00 deposit prior to proposal presentation. This deposit is fully applicable to your tour upon booking.

• Got a question that we didn’t answer here?

  Reach out to us via our contact page or give us a call at 855-243-9224. We’re ready to help you!