Foodland Pasadena launch instore guided gourmet food tours in an Australian-first

Foodland Pasadena has become the first supermarket in Australia to launch instore gourmet food tours with guests to be treated to an immersive, multi-sensory experience designed to attract locals, and interstate and overseas visitors.

Developed with guidance from the South Australian Tourism Commission, the weekly Locale Food Tours will give guests an informative and hands-on experience which includes blending spices, insights into chocolate making and wood oven cooking, a taste of coffee culture and an introduction to salumi.

The Locale Food Tours have been carefully curated to showcase the premium quality South Australian and international produce sold in the store, stories of local producers and growers and the knowledge and expertise of the Foodland Pasadena team.

Seasonal produce being showcased includes South Australian seafood and fresh fish, locally- cured meats, fruit and vegetables, and meat and dairy, as well as selected imported produce.

The Locale Food Tour which also includes generous tastings, expert advice and cooking tips, and a glass or two of South Australian wine along the way, is followed by an optional Chef’s Table Lunch at Pasadena’s flagship restaurant, Mr Nick’s Kitchen. The Chef’s Table Lunch is a multi-course experience created from produce and ingredients all sourced instore.

Adelaide’s Finest Supermarkets Director Spero Chapley says the Locale Food Tours had been planned for some time “as a natural extension of the immersive experience and the skilled professionals that we’ve curated in our stores”.

“The food tours give us a chance to further demonstrate our hospitality and customer service ethos and the expertise of our team which includes skilled chefs, pastry chefs, bakers and chocolatiers who work in our instore restaurants, seafood bars, salumi bars, cafés and patisseries,” Mr Chapley says.

“They offer a personalised experience to spark conversation, inspire learning and allow a rare peek into our produce, passion and supplier partnerships.

“Our stores are enjoyed by locals, but we also want them to become destination for more visitors from across metropolitan Adelaide, and regional South Australia, interstate and overseas,” said Mr Chapley.

“We want to encourage visitors and tourists to come to our store as they do Harrods or Fortnum and Mason Food Halls in London or La Grande Épicerie de Paris but provide them with something uniquely South Australian.

“We’ve been grateful for the support of the South Australian Tourism Commission to develop a tour experience that will interest and attract tourists, and the support of our local suppliers and the Foodland Pasadena team.”

South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex welcomed the innovative move to make Foodland Pasadena cater to tourists.

“This is a wonderful example of the innovation and creativity of South Australian businesses and how our state’s strong credentials in food and fresh produce can be leveraged to attract more visitors,” Mr Harrex said.

“We’ve already seen Foodland Pasadena become a buzzing hospitality and specialty retail hub which profiles South Australian product. We look forward to seeing these tours grow to become a popular tourism experience.”

The Locale Food Tour, which will be run every Wednesday at the Foodland Pasadena store, also celebrates the history and philosophy of the Chapley family, particularly founder Nick Chapley, who has celebrated 70 years in business.

The Locale Food Tours will commence on June 15 exclusively by advanced booking.

The 75-minute Locale Food Tour is priced at $79 per person (under 18s - $59), with the optional combined Locale Food Tour and Chef’s Table Lunch priced at $139 per person.

Specific dietary requirements can be catered for with advanced notice, when booking.

For more information and bookings, click here.