Madison Eats Food Tours
In 2012, following a years-long journey of attempting to create a job that blended her passions for local food, education and sustainable development, Otehlia Cassidy founded Madison Eats Food Toursーa business that celebrates Madison’s ever-evolving food scene and connects people to one-of-a-kind food tours and local events.
Your go-to spot for an authentic taste of Wisconsin’s unique cuisine: Picking one is so hard! What constitutes authentic Wisconsin cuisine in my mind is food that reflects the agricultural richness and diversity of our state, and the evolving nature of food. Food that brings together local foods, traditional dishes and global inspiration. In my opinion, Graze and L’Etoile (by Chef Tory Miller) does that extremely well!
Biggest misconception about being a blogger/influencer in the food space: That we eat for free. It’s like asking an artist to give away their work. Although at times I am invited to eat for free or taste a new product, I firmly believe in paying for food and tipping the staff, especially after the past year. I do appreciate a bonus drink, appetizer or dessert and getting priority seating, though!
One thing you’d like to see change (or rather, see more of) in Wisconsin’s restaurant offerings: In Madison, we once had a West African restaurant. I know many West African food producers, but none have a brick and mortar. I think we’re ready for that! Also, more regional Mexican cuisine.
A Wisconsin-based chef or restaurateur who inspires you and why: At this point every chef who made it through the pandemic inspires me whether their restaurant is still open or not. As hard as it looked from the outside, it was 1,000 times harder than that and continues to be a difficult rebuilding of their businesses.
For more information, visit www.madisoneatsfoodtours.com.