A few weeks ago, I joined Heather from the Food Hussy for a “Taste of the World Tour” at Findlay Market.
Daisy Mae’s Market
The tour started at Daisy Mae’s Market.
First, we sampled different jams and jellies from Yoder’s Amish Farm at Daisy Mae’s. All of them were really good. The pepper jelly might have been my favorite.
We also tried a homemade strawberry mango salsa. I would have never have thought to put those ingredients together but it was really good. The cilantro was an unexpected ingredient that added a lot of great flavor. Daisy Mae’s provides local produce when it’s in season and also tries to keep healthy produce accessible to all.
The group was divided in two and our leader was Barb. She let us know that the tour was beginning when we saw her put on the hat.
The hat also helped us locate her in a crowd of people as we moved around during the market. I did feel the urge to start a conga line and sing the “Chiquita Banana” song but I resisted.
Our tour took us inside and outside of Findlay Market. Our next stop was bread from the Bean Haus. They started with coffee and then branched out to baking. They make all of their bread with the mixer that you see in the picture below.
We tried a focaccia bread with provolone and pepperoni.
They make 1500 loaves of hand-formed bread a day.
During the tour you will learn a lot about the history of Findlay Market. There are 35 full-time merchants who are there every day but Monday.
We went to a nearby brick and mortar bakery and cafe next.
S and J bakery and cafe uses local ingredients for their cafe items, makes pastries and cakes, dressings in-house and also makes their bread fresh daily.
We sampled their incredible chocolate mousse with blueberry.
The tour also gives you the opportunity to hear from the business owners and top employees who really give you insight into why they are so passionate about their businesses.
Barb did a great job of telling us the history of Findlay Market and the surrounding area. There is so much in this area that can be overlooked if you don’t know what to look for.
Eli’s BBQ
Our next food sample came from Eli’s BBQ.
I just did a review on their other location a few weeks prior. We received a generous sample of their pulled pork sandwich.
Eli’s uses a rub blended from Findlay Market vendor, Colonel De.
Churchill’s Fine Teas
Our next destination was Churchill’s Fine Teas.
The owner’s wife was from London and wanted good tea in the states and always struggled to find it so they started Churchill’s. Their store carries 263 teas from all over the world.
Churchill’s Tea is sold loose leaf tea by the ounce. My sample was the lemon drop tea.
Taste of Belguim
Our last food stop of the tour was Taste of Belgium.
We sampled their waffles. The Taste of Belgium’s waffles are denser than waffles that you might be used to. I’ve had their amazing chicken and waffles from their sit down restaurant location. I’ve also tried a few of their other desserts from the Findlay Market location. I don’t think it’s possible to make a wrong selection. Everything is really good.
The end of our tour offered the optional wine or beer tasting add-on for $5 more.
Heather and I joined Barb at Market Wines to sample a few of the wines.
I really enjoyed the tour and the opportunity to hear the heart of some of the vendors who make Findlay Market such a great jewel in Cincinnati.
The tour gives you a great variety of food vendors and a lot of history and information about Findlay Market that most people aren’t aware of.
I’m so excited about all of the great improvements and the development happening in Over the Rhine. Our family loves going downtown. If you are a little more intimidated by the unfamiliar, this is the perfect tour for you. The vendors vary on the tour depending on availability. What’s great is that you have someone to guide you through the experience, who will also give you confidence and knowledge to not let it be your last visit to Findlay Market.
If you enjoy local foods, you have an insider giving you information about vendors who can help you enjoy or create a great meal.
You can find out more about Cincinnati Food Tours from their website.
There are some tours coming up that take place during special Bunbury Festival discount days at Findlay Market. The first date is this Thursday, May 16 at 4 pm. Guests can apply the price of their Taste the World ticket toward the 5 receipts needed to get a 20% discount to Bunbury. There’s another special Bunbury day with a tour on Sunday, May 19.
Cincinnati Food Tours also provides custom tours for groups of 10 or more–birthday parties, family reunions, corporate events, etc.
Disclosure: I was provided a complimentary tour for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
I also have some exciting news!
I’ve been given 2 basic tours ($40 value) to give away.
Congratulations to Taylor Greear for winning 2 tickets.
To Enter
Comment on this post by sharing why you would want to win the tour before Monday, May 20th at 9am. (required to enter).
*Bonus entries (comment separately for each one)
Become a fan of the adventure mom on facebook and comment here that you did.
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Winner will be randomly selected by random.org and will be contacted by email and must respond within 24 hrs or a new name will be drawn. Must be 18 or older to enter and be able to drive to Cincinnati to use the passes. Winner cannot have won a previous giveaway in the past 30 days.
I am a fan on Facebook.
I would love to win because I need some girlfriend and this would be the perfect get together!
I would love to have a mother daughter day of good food and lots of love.
Your photos made my mouth water! Would love to try that awesome looking BBQ sandwhich! I so enjoy your blog…it provides great ideas on what all is offered in our area.
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I am a Fan on Facebook!
We would love to take a tour of Findlay Market and all of the vendors! So many places we have not been to but would love to go! What a great date this would be with the hubby!
Would live to experience this behind the scenes tour of this great historic market. I volunteer at a local education farm and enjoy meeting and trying new places to learn more about eating and shopping locally. And we love and appreciate all these independent small business owners who make our city so amazing.
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I have never been to Findley and would so love to spend it with my hubby.
I signed up for emails!
I’m a fan of Adventure Mom!
Who are we kidding, I just want the chocolate mousse!
I love Findlay Market, but never seem to have enough money to go…as it is impossible to go and not buy things!!! I have to avoid it to prevent myself from spending money…LOL! Local merchants like this are so fabulous, it’s such a fantastic place!!!
I love Findlay and want to know everything about it!
I’d love to win the tour because my Bible Study group was just talking about going to Findlay Market for a summer outing!!!
I subscribed !
Liked you on Facebook =)
I would like to win because I go to Finlay market frequently for dog food but don’t know much about the other stores so I don’t stop in. I would love to know more about them when they sell so I could support a local owner rather than a large grocery stor
We’ve only been one time and with 3 crazy kids. It would be nice to experience all Findlay Market has to offer without them. Thanks!
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I’d love to get the chance to learn about each of these great establishments (and REALLY want to try their goodies!). 🙂
Facebook fan too 🙂
My husband has never been to Findlay Market, this would be an awesome way for him to see it. 🙂
I am a facebook fan.
I run a group that supports local and I would love to share it with them!
I liked your Facebook page…:)
I love Findlay Market! It would be great to be able to taste different foods there!!
I absolutely LOVE Findlay, and have wanted for some time to spend an entire afternoon just hanging out checking out the venders, shops, and unique foods they offer! …Plus I’m a sucker for free stuff. 😉
I each locally a lot! I love Findlay but I’m too poor to experience all it has to offer. I have many friends that I could share this with that would appreciate such an offer.
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Facebook subscriber. 🙂
I’m pregnant and love food! Thats why! 😀