--- title: "Culinary Tourism: Turn Amazing Food Into an Unforgettable Experience" description: Culinary tourism is booming in popularity. Here are ideas to harness the universal draw of food to create an unforgettable corporate experience for your VIPs. image: https://blog.weanow.com/hubfs/Cooking%20Class-1.png --- [![Winspire](https://blog.weanow.com/hubfs/Winspire-Feb-2017/images/wse-logo-light.svg) ](https://weanow.com/) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/winspireEA) - [**](https://www.instagram.com/winspireea) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/winspire-sports-%26-entertainment) - [Contact Us](https://weanow.com/#contact) # Culinary Tourism: Turn Amazing Food Into an Unforgettable Experience ![](https://blog.weanow.com/hubfs/Cooking%20Class-1.png) # Culinary Tourism: Turn Amazing Food Into an Unforgettable Experience - [12 April, 2018](https://blog.weanow.com/corp/culinary-tourism-turn-amazing-food-into-an-unforgettable-experience#) - by [Summy Lau](https://blog.weanow.com/corp/author/summy-lau) - in [incentive program](https://blog.weanow.com/corp/topic/incentive-program), [corporate hospitality](https://blog.weanow.com/corp/topic/corporate-hospitality) - [4 Comments](https://blog.weanow.com/corp/culinary-tourism-turn-amazing-food-into-an-unforgettable-experience#comments-listing) One of the most outstanding, memorable elements of any corporate meeting or incentive is the food and drink - yet all too often meals are passed over as an afterthought. We [recently shared](https://blog.weanow.com/corp/tuscany-send-vips-corporate-incentive-idea-italy) on the blog how food tourism - defined by the World Food Travel Association as "the pursuit and enjoyment of unique and memorable food and drink experiences, both far and near" - is a growing sector of travel. In fact, more than 1 in 3 travel dollars is spent on food, reports [Venngage](https://www.finedininglovers.com/blog/news-trends/food-infographic-food-tourism/); meanwhile, more than half of all travelers are seeking to learn about unique dining experiences, according to the American Culinary Traveler Report. **How can you harness the universal draw of food to create an unforgettable experience for your VIPs?** Check out today's post for ideas to leverage the popularity of food in your next corporate event (*like interactive chef experiences!).* ## Food What’s the first thing you do when planning a party? *Figure out the food!* Impress foodies and lay 'food enthusiasts' alike with a celebrity chef, interactive cooking competition or private, 3-5 course gourmet dinner. Here are just a few ideas: ##### 1. Event hosted by celebrity chef Recruit a chef (like Food Network star Chef Tyler Florence) to come to your event. Like all talent procurement, celebrity appearances turn your meeting into a 100 percent unique, memorable event. If you've got a celebrity chef, try arranging a meet & greet with picture and autograph opportunities. >   > > [Australian Waygu Filet, Sun Choke Purée, Sun Flower Seed Chimichurri, Bordelaise. @jhfoodandwine @mattmasera](https://www.instagram.com/p/BgLEczjntYB/) > > A post shared by [ tylerflorence](https://www.instagram.com/tylerflorence/) (@tylerflorence) on Mar 10, 2018 at 10:31pm PST ##### 2. Customized multi-course tasting menu Your VIPs are in the driver's seat! Customize the menu to your region, tastes, food restrictions, desired theme and more. ##### 3. Intimate cooking demonstration Host an interactive cooking class or demonstration. You can even have participants show off their skills in a friendly competition with a culinary prize, like gift certificates to the presenter's restaurant or catering services. >   > > [A post shared by Farhana (@farhanasafa)](https://www.instagram.com/p/BhP2_znAhrJ/) on Apr 6, 2018 at 4:41pm PDT ##### 4. Chef presentation of dishes Gourmet cuisine is a work of art on its own. Have the artist, your chef, present and walk your guests through the menu to add another dimension and bring the dishes to life. ##### 5. Set up a dining experience or culinary tour featuring unique local grub If you're hosting a meeting offsite or one where most attendees aren't from the area, having a dining experience featuring local food is the way to go. >   > > [A post shared by Darlyn (@lynne_c4)](https://www.instagram.com/p/BhMx_rPHOPy/) on Apr 5, 2018 at 12:02pm PDT [![Download WEA Meeting Planning eBook](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/297253/c9911cbc-f266-4642-9ed9-cda85a0342bb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/297253/c9911cbc-f266-4642-9ed9-cda85a0342bb) Looking to add an unforgettable food and/or wine experience to your event? We have hundreds more ideas! Winspire works with chefs across North America and can find the perfect chef to suit your needs. Leave a comment or click below to start brainstorming ideas together for your next corporate event. 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