Wilmington’s Riverfront Farmers' Market is now in full swing, and with it comes the return of Taste Carolina’s Farmers' Market Tour and Cooking Class.

While the tour does take place year-round, it is from April through November only that participants get to stroll the riverfront market with local chef Courtney Matheson of Delish NC-Fresh Eats with Courtney. Matheson takes them on a guided tour of the market where opportunities to nibble as well chat with local farmers abound.

Tour participants have the chance to select a couple of secret ingredients to bring to their cooking class hosted by chef Tyson Amick of Aubriana’s.

“Whether they’re looking for a favorite ingredient or just searching for something unknown to catch the eye, it will always end in a delicious and unique meal prepared by chef Amick,” Matheson said.

Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours co-owner Lesley Strack-Mullem says the company has added two additional tours to its lineup this season. A 2:30 p.m. Downtown Afternoon Tasting Tour and a 3 p.m. Downtown Dinner & Drinks Tour have been added on Fridays, having previously been available just on Saturday.

For those looking to expand their palates as well as their knowledge of Pleasure Island history, Tasting History offers culinary tours in the heart of Carolina Beach. The company, owned by husband-and-wife team Jeff and Brinley Christner, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year.

Tours run Tuesday afternoons 3:30-6 p.m., and several Thursday dates are likely to be added to the calendar, according to Jeff Christner. Tasting History also provides private group tours for groups of up to 16 people.

“Because the beach is so packed on the weekends during the high season it just works out much better for us to run our tours during the week,” he said. “And we’ve seen a big increase in the number of private group tours, which is really exciting. We hope to see more and more of that.”

According to Jeff Christner, highlights of the tour include Havana’s Fresh Island Restaurant, five-time winner of the Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off People’s Choice Award; The Surf House, The Veggie Wagon, The Dive and The Fudgeboat. All tours include tastings at each restaurant as well as several beverages. Tickets are $32.

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