Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Kuch.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in an Italian family, so eating/food and love are synonymous. I grew up around large meals and having them with people I love. Along the way, over the years, I have come across people in all of the places that I have lived that have a passion for food and trying new food.
As I have moved around the country, I had the opportunity to work in a couple of gourmet food shops; the most recent one being The Ancient Olive in Winter Park. There I met a number of wonderful people who also shared in my food passion; some of them are the purveyors of these foods. As the years have passed while here in Orlando, my passion has grown for trying new places to eat, but also for supporting those local restaurants. The world of food has grown exponentially in Orlando and there are so many folks that also enjoying these places or even opening their own unique eateries.
Having been on other food tours and also wandering around Orlando trying new locations, I wanted to share in my experience with others who may not know that Orlando has so many great local food spots to try. Many of them are so small, you would never know they were there unless someone pointed it out to you. This is where the thought of Wandering Palm Food Tours started. I wanted to introduce people to the cool places that Orlando offers and in turn, be able to support small business at the same time. What is better than enjoying a great meal in a delicious restaurant with interesting people?
I am a lover of the outdoors. I could spend all day outside, even in the crazy summer heat. 😉 One thing that I love to do is paddleboard. There are so many places in Florida to paddle!! After one of my paddles, I was thinking of names for my company. Let me also say that palm trees make me very happy. So as I was driving, I was thinking of the things that make me happy…. paddle boarding, being outside, palm trees, adventure, wandering around Florida’s beautiful ecosystems….. and there you go, Wandering Palm Adventures, LLC is born.
I currently have two active tours with a 3rd one staring soon! I am looking forward to growing with Orlando and introducing many people to our wonderful world of local businesses.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As someone whom has never started a business before, it has been quite a challenge. There are so many little things to learn; so many T’s to cross and I’s to dot. I am learning a lot along the way and meeting so many wonderful people that are so amazing and willing to help. There have been things that I knew needed changing and other things that only need slight tweaking.
And then, of course, we had 2020…. the year of all years! Restaurants closing, people afraid to go out. Trying to put tours together during a time when the restaurants have way more important things on their mind was a bit hard, but I am thankful for those that have given me a chance and are happy to have me bring new customers.
As you know, we’re big fans of Wandering Palm Food Tours. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Wandering Palm Food Tours is a food tour company created to support small business by bringing locals and visitors alike to places they may not have known about otherwise. My tours offer my guests a way to try local restaurants in different areas of Orlando by getting a taste at multiple stops and showing them what the area has to offer. Each restaurant will offer a sample size food and/or drink option to highlight what they do best. You will not walk away without saying that you will return to many or all of the places we stopped.
Many of the local customers that have joined me on a tour have told me that they have not been to any or most of the places that I took them. There are so many hidden gems in Orlando and Wandering Palm Food Tours wants to take you too. The tours are great for small groups, date nights, girl’s night, and celebrations. I also offer a plant-based specific tour and all of the restaurants that I partner with do their very best to work with food sensitivities. Bring your friends and family on a food adventure! New tours are being developed and many have an adventure or experience added to them….. keep an eye out for these fun new tours!
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters to me most is that my guests leave feeling like they had a great meal, a fun tour and that they can’t wait to go back to each of the places that we stopped in order to try more. My guests having a great experience means that each of the businesses will benefit from having automatic return customers.
I love food and find joy in sharing my favorite places and meeting new and interesting people from all over. I love being able to introduce a new business to guests on every tour. Food IS the occasion. It brings people together for many different reasons, but it IS the reason.
Contact Info:
- Email: Tracy@wanderingpalmadventures.com
- Website: www.wanderingpalmadventures.com
- Instagram: wanderingpalmfoodtours
- Facebook: wanderingpalmadventures
Image Credits
Chris Gotshall Photography
