How a food tour in Istanbul changed my life

Author: Ellen, founder of Leeds Food Tours

Six years ago, I booked a food tour in Istanbul.

At the time, I simply wanted a different way to experience a city. I was travelling from Istanbul to Venice, exploring incredible destinations including Sofia and Ljubljana, and I booked food tours in each place along the way.

Ellen on a food tour in Istanbul

What I discovered was so much more than great food.

These tours introduced me to local people, hidden neighbourhoods, family-run businesses and stories I never would have found on my own. They showed me that food is one of the best ways to connect with a place and understand its culture.

I came home inspired.

So inspired, in fact, that I made one of the biggest decisions of my life.

I left my job and started planning a food tour business in Leeds.

Covid changed everything

Not long after launching, the world went into lockdown.

Like hospitality businesses everywhere, food tours had to stop overnight.

Ellen enjoying ice cream on a food tour in Slovenia

Instead, we found new ways to stay connected. There were online quizzes, virtual wine tastings and lots of creative ideas to keep people engaged while we waited for brighter days to return.

At the same time, life was changing in other ways too.

I became a mum.

Ellen and Mini-Leeds Food Tours

Then a few years later, I became a mum again.

As many parents will understand, life and business don't always move at the pace you originally planned.

Where Leeds Food Tours is now

Fast forward six years, and I couldn't be prouder of where that single idea has taken us.

What began as one food tour in Leeds has grown into something far bigger than I ever imagined.

Our first ever food tour in Leeds

Today, we're lucky enough to offer food experiences across multiple cities, helping people discover amazing independent businesses and the stories behind them.

We've also built an incredible team of passionate local guides who bring every tour to life with their knowledge, enthusiasm and love for their city.

Our incredible tour guides at Leeds Food Tours

And we've launched the Indie Food Tours app, allowing people to enjoy self-guided food adventures whenever they choose.

At its heart, the mission hasn't changed.

We're passionate about championing independent food businesses and helping people connect with their local area in a new way.

Whether you're visiting a city for the first time or rediscovering somewhere you've lived for years, there's always something new to uncover through food.

Every booking supports local independents, and every tour helps share the stories that make our cities unique.

Come and Explore With Us

Whether you're looking for things to do in Leeds, planning a day out in York, discovering Harrogate's food scene or exploring independently through our app, we'd love to welcome you.

Because who knows?

One food tour can change everything.