Today we’d like to introduce you to Halim Urban.
Hi Halim, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a Brevard local that has spent about 15 years in hospitality, everything from a dishwasher and a server to a sushi chef and a bouncer. My wife Jessica and I Intended to open our restaurant until we came up with another idea. Why not get people to go to existing eateries as a way to sample the dishes to be found there and in doing so, become aware of what small independently owned restaurants have to offer?
And that’s how we came to founding Village Food Tours, and since Black Friday of 2018, nearly 2000 people have joined us on our ever-expanding, restaurant-hopping venture. We work hand in hand with our local restaurants, and our main purpose is to showcase what makes dining out what it is at its best: social.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Our biggest challenge has been adapting to everything that came with the pandemic.
We overcome those obstacles through creativity, food tours to go, and a Zoom happy hour with dishes from several local restaurants. We also focused on marketing and helping promote other local businesses through our social media channels.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Village Food Tours?
Not long ago, dining on the Space Coast delivered exactly what you’d expect from a salty beach town: burgers and beer served in plastic cups. But recently it has become a hotbed for cuisine. We saw this transition happening and capitalized on the restaurant boom 2018 by starting Village Food Tours, a walking excursion that combines local tastings with a side of history.
Our tours are located in Cocoa Village, Downtown Melbourne, and returning soon to Downtown Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral. The guided two-hour tasting tour includes pre-selected menu items at several restaurants and tax and gratuity. Along the way, your local guide gives you fun facts and history about the area.
Pit stops on tour might include Texas-style brisket, Drunken Noodles, Key Lime Pie Dipped in Dark Chocolate, and more. You can find out more and book directly online at www.villagefoodtours.com or call/text us with any questions at (321)-233-4600.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking.
I wouldn’t say I am a risk taker, as I am typically pretty cautious and calculated.
Although I did quit my job to dive into this business, I knew we would be successful because I believed in what we had and had 1000% support from my wife and business partner Jessica.
Pricing:
- $88 Per-person
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.villagefoodtours.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/villagefoodtours
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/villagefoodtours
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/village-food-tours
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/villagefoodtours
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@villagefoodtours
Image Credits
Village Food Tours
