When Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours took over Liz Biro’s culinary tours in 2014, the company inherited her Saturday morning Farmer’s Market and Cooking Class Tour. But when both of the chefs who hosted the classes, Tyson Amick of Aubriana's and Carson Jewell of Rx, moved away, tour organizers found themselves seeking new chefs who would be willing to take them on.
 
Now chef Sam Cahoon, who recently opened Savorez at 402 Chestnut St., has accepted the challenge.
 
“He's such a delightful person and has hosted two successful classes so far,” said Taste Carolina owner Lesley Stracks-Mullem.
 
Stracks-Mullem said that at the suggestion of James Smith, owner of Fork N’ Cork, she also contacted Keith Rhodes to see if he might be interested in teaching some of the Saturday classes.
 
“James told me that Keith really enjoys hosting cooking classes and is great at it, so we reached out to him,” Stracks-Mullem said. “His first class will be on June 17, and we're thrilled to work with him for the first time.”
 
The Saturday morning tour begins at 9:15 a.m. with a guided tour of the Riverfront Farmer’s Market by professional chef tour guides Courtney Matheson or Bree Peterson-Resnick. A brief walking tour of downtown includes a snack at Wake N Bake Donuts, followed by a walk to Savorez or drive to Catch for a cooking demonstration by Cahoon or Rhodes.
 
Participants bring with them a few items they’ve selected at the market to "stump the chef," and those are incorporated into the demonstration and lunch that follows.
 
Taste Carolina’s Saturday afternoon walking tours visit five to six establishments -- including restaurants, food shops and bars -- and run every weekend as well as weekdays and weeknights by request. Stops might include The Pilot House, Le Catalan, PinPoint. Fortunate Glass, Fork N Cork, The Peppered Cupcake, The Tasting Room, The Little Dipper, Spice Merchants, Chops, Betsy's Crepes, Beer Barrio, The City Club of Wilmington and The Blind Elephant. 
 
Tours are $55 to $75 per person. Advance registration for all tours and events is required. More details are available on Taste Carolina's website.

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