San Diego is home to more than 90 craft breweries and a growing number of farm-to-table restaurants committed to supporting the county's more than 6,000 local farmers. So it's no surprise that when Stephanie Parker moved back home after a three-year, food-forward stint in San Francisco, she felt called to help make the most of San Diego's local food and beverage scene. Parker has been in the food and hospitality business since her college years, and her biggest passion is showing locals and visitors alike the best that her city's farms, coffee roasters, craft breweries, butchers and wineries have to offer.

Cue the birth of Epicurean San Diego, Parker's newly founded food, farm and libation tour company. Epicurean offers half and full-day hands-on food tours on Saturdays that are open to the public for up to 12 guests, as well as private tours for special events. More public tour dates and locations coming soon.

Tour guests can expect to stop at three to five carefully curated businesses committed to local, organic sourcing and sustainability. A full day tour might begin with a coffee cupping class at a local coffee roaster, followed by an hour-long organic farm tour and a field-side, linen-napkin and artisanal crafted lunch. The afternoon might include a flight at a local winery, a lesson in curating from a local salumi maker, and a final foray at one of San Diego's famous craft breweries with some cold pints to celebrate the day. Guests are certain to go home with full bellies and a sense of pride in the community they call home (or home-away-from-home).

"Our tours are founded on a combination of passion for learning and a desire to strengthen ties in the community," says Parker. "When we see where our eggs and beverages come from, we have an opportunity to make informed buying decisions that align with our values."

Slow Food Urban San Diego members get a 10% discount on all Epicurean San Diego tours. To learn more, visit epicureansandiego.com.

~by Kathryn Rogers, SFUSD Board Member~