Culinary Tour Guide

Company Description

Culinary Backstreets explores the world’s most vibrant eating destinations through in-depth city guides, daily stories, food tours, and multi-day culinary trips. Operating in various iconic cities such as Italy, Athens, Tokyo, Barcelona, and New Orleans, the company connects travelers with unique local food cultures. Culinary Backstreets highlights the authenticity and stories behind local cuisines, fostering a deep appreciation for regional culinary traditions.

At Culinary Backstreets, we believe that the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of our team enrich everything we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone—regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic background, or cultural heritage—feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute.

We actively encourage individuals from all walks of life, especially those from historically underrepresented communities, to apply.

Role Description

Are you passionate about your city, its cuisine and love sharing your knowledge with others? Do you have a knack for customer service and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

We’re looking for an outgoing, professional, and detail-oriented tour guide to join our team. As a tour guide, you’ll be responsible for leading groups of up to 7 people on walking tours of the city. You’ll need to be able to think on your feet and improvise when necessary, as well as be comfortable speaking in front of a group.

This is a contract role for a Culinary Tour Guide. The Culinary Tour Guide will be responsible for leading engaging and informative food tours, sharing knowledge about local cuisines, history, and culture, ensuring guest satisfaction, and providing an exceptional customer experience. Additionally, responsibilities include coordinating tour schedules and promoting tours and related services.

• Serve as an ambassador of the company, providing a high level of customer service to all guests
• Arrive on time for each tour, maintaining a professional appearance at all times
• Learn and be able to articulate detailed information about the food, cuisine, history, culture, and attractions related to the tour route
• Engage with guests throughout the tour, encouraging questions and interaction
• Manage groups effectively, keeping them together and on schedule while remaining flexible to accommodate individual needs
• Handle any guest concerns or complaints in a calm and professional manner, escalating to a supervisor when necessary
• Adhere to all safety protocols and procedures, including hygiene
• Participate in ongoing training and development opportunities to keep knowledge up-to-date

Qualifications

• Experience leading Guided Tours and showcasing local culinary and cultural expertise.
• Strong Communication skills, including storytelling and the ability to connect with diverse groups of people.
• Proven Customer Service skills to ensure a high-quality experience for all guests.
• Knowledge of local History, food traditions, and cultural practices relevant to the region of operation.
• Passion for food and travel, with an interest in storytelling and exploring diverse cultures.
• Flexibility and reliability to meet the scheduling needs of an independent contractor role.

License/Certification:

• Accompagnatore Turistico or Guida Turistica) (Required to work in Italy)