How Devour Tours Got on Our Radar (and Into Our Stomachs)
Born in a Recession, Built with Passion
Lauren’s origin story starts in Madrid, right smack in the middle of Spain’s economic downturn. While the Mercado San Miguel was thriving with camera-toting tourists, the local neighborhood market near her apartment was eerily quiet. Stalls were closing, generational businesses disappearing. Instead of just watching this happen, Lauren had an idea: what if travelers could experience those places—the hidden gems run by grandmas and grandpas, not flashy marketing?
Boom. Devour was born. From recession to revolution (well, a culinary one at least).
Madrid: Where History, Ham, and Architecture Collide
Lauren’s Madrid tours aren’t your average “look, a churro!” kind of thing. It’s food meets architecture meets storytelling—with a side of jamón ibérico. She told us about choosing places like El Sobrino de Botín (the oldest restaurant in the world, no big deal) and how every stop has to have heart, history, and a sprinkle of wow-factor.
Naturally, I had questions. Like, how does one choose where to take hungry strangers who may or may not cry if the food isn’t good? Her answer: history, vibes, and an unshakable connection to the city. A+ criteria.
Why Tasting is the New Touring
One of my favorite parts of our chat? Talking about how food isn’t just food—it’s a cultural decoder ring. Lauren and I agreed that it’s not just about flavors. It’s about memory, place, people.
And the tourists get it too. Culinary tourism is booming. Whether you're a foodie or just a hungry traveler, food tours are sneaking their way onto every travel itinerary—and we are very here for it.
Tradition vs. Trend: The Devour Balancing Act
Here’s the challenge: How do you celebrate local classics and embrace modern food scenes? Devour walks that tightrope. In Paris, they might throw in a Tunisian crepe. In Madrid or Rome, it’s all about the old-school staples. Lauren even clarified a common food faux pas: Paella isn’t a national dish—it’s a Valencian thing and does not contain seafood.
Food is Regional
Lauren dropped some serious Italy wisdom, especially when it comes to understanding just how regional Italian cuisine really is. Naples? A pizza paradise with street food that’ll have you questioning your next Domino’s order. She also pointed out how every few kilometers can mean a whole new pasta, dessert, or coffee ritual.
Food Tours: More Than a Meal, Less Than a TED Talk
Lauren reminded us that food tours are for more than just stuffing your face (though that’s a perk). They’re curated, immersive, and led by real humans who love their cities. She started small—just her and a few eager travelers—and grew into something bigger than she imagined.
From One City to Eighteen: No Big Deal
Devour’s growth wasn’t just explosive—it was intentional. Lauren stressed the importance of hiring locals who truly know their city’s food scene. No cookie-cutter experiences here. They also train non-career guides to deliver top-notch storytelling and customer care. Basically, they’re not just throwing you a map and saying “Good luck.”
By 2019, they had a plan. Then 2020 said: “LOL nope.”
A Pandemic Pivot & a Partnership with Walks
Like many travel companies, Devour had to regroup during the pandemic. Enter: Walks Tours and Hornblower Group. Merging with Walks in 2021 gave them a chance to recover and expand. It was like the Avengers assembling—but for food and walking tours.
Lauren shared some exciting new stuff too, like creative classes at their cooking school in Rome (Gnocchi 101, anyone?) and plans to keep adapting with each city’s evolution.
Our First Podcast Interview: A Devour Delight
This was our very first interview episode, and Lauren was the ideal guest—insightful, fun, and passionate. We talked about everything from becoming a successful entrepreneur to the impacts of food on travel, and left inspired (and a little hungry).
TL;DR: If You’re Gonna Travel, Travel Hungry.
Lauren reminded us that behind every local dish is a bigger story. Devour Tours isn’t just feeding people—it’s connecting them to the cities they’re exploring, one bite at a time. Whether you're a foodie, a history buff, or someone who just likes snacks with a side of storytelling, there's a Devour tour out there with your name on it.