Our History:
Founded in 2011 by longtime entrepreneurs and hospitality veterans JoAnna Engel (CFO) and Andrea Jones-Downs (CEO), The Tasting Tours is one of North Florida’s premier culinary experience companies, offering curated food-and-drink pairing tours across St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and Palatka. Built on a shared love of great food, great wine, and great conversation, the company helps guests experience each destination like locals - one delicious stop at a time.
What began as a two-woman passion project has grown into a multi-market operation serving thousands of guests annually through both walking and electric-vehicle (EV) tasting tours. Each experience features four to five carefully selected local restaurants, bars, and artisans from a rotating network of more than 30 partner venues, allowing for seasonal menus and fresh experiences for returning guests.
Before launching the company, both founders brought decades of leadership and entertainment experience. JoAnna is the former Owner/Broker of ERA Advantage Realty and owner of one of North Florida’s largest salons and spas, as well as a former local favorite known as “Jumpin’ JoJo” on the pirate ship. Andrea is a former Cruise Director for Premier Cruise Line, the Official Cruise Line of Disney, and the founder of First Coast Talent Agency, which has provided on-camera talent for film, television, and commercial productions for more than 28 years. Together, they combined business leadership, entertainment, and hospitality into a company built on connection and guest experience.
The Tasting Tours is guided by a hands-on leadership team committed to quality and consistency. JoAnna oversees financial and legal operations, Andrea leads sales, marketing, media, and booking systems, and Niki Kemper, Director of Sales, began as a tour guide in 2016, advanced to Tour Manager, became a shareholder, and now leads companywide sales and corporate partnerships - reflecting the company’s strong culture of promoting from within.
Tours operate in multiple St. Augustine districts, several Jacksonville neighborhoods, as well as Amelia Island and Palatka. The company offers both strolling tours and rolling tours aboard electric vehicles, accommodating everything from small groups to large private and corporate events of 75+ guests.
The Tasting Tours employs a diverse team of hospitality professionals, with three full-time staff members, eleven part-time team members, and fourteen seasonal employees, for a total annual workforce of twenty-eight, supporting operations across multiple markets and tour formats.
With more than 3,100+ five-star reviews, 14 consecutive TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence, Hall of Fame recognition, and Travelers’ Choice Awards, The Tasting Tours has been consistently ranked #1 in its category and has been featured in Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, Coastal Living, and Cooking with Paula Deen.
Proudly locally owned and community driven, The Tasting Tours is committed to supporting independent restaurants and telling the stories of the neighborhoods and people that make North Florida unique.
Founded in 2011 by longtime entrepreneurs and hospitality veterans JoAnna Engel (CFO) and Andrea Jones-Downs (CEO), The Tasting Tours is one of North Florida’s premier culinary experience companies, offering curated food-and-drink pairing tours across St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and Palatka. Built on a shared love of great food, great wine, and great conversation, the company helps guests experience each destination like locals - one delicious stop at a time.
What began as a two-woman passion project has grown into a multi-market operation serving thousands of guests annually through both walking and electric-vehicle (EV) tasting tours. Each experience features four to five carefully selected local restaurants, bars, and artisans from a rotating network of more than 30 partner venues, allowing for seasonal menus and fresh experiences for returning guests.
Before launching the company, both founders brought decades of leadership and entertainment experience. JoAnna is the former Owner/Broker of ERA Advantage Realty and owner of one of North Florida’s largest salons and spas, as well as a former local favorite known as “Jumpin’ JoJo” on the pirate ship. Andrea is a former Cruise Director for Premier Cruise Line, the Official Cruise Line of Disney, and the founder of First Coast Talent Agency, which has provided on-camera talent for film, television, and commercial productions for more than 28 years. Together, they combined business leadership, entertainment, and hospitality into a company built on connection and guest experience.
The Tasting Tours is guided by a hands-on leadership team committed to quality and consistency. JoAnna oversees financial and legal operations, Andrea leads sales, marketing, media, and booking systems, and Niki Kemper, Director of Sales, began as a tour guide in 2016, advanced to Tour Manager, became a shareholder, and now leads companywide sales and corporate partnerships - reflecting the company’s strong culture of promoting from within.
Tours operate in multiple St. Augustine districts, several Jacksonville neighborhoods, as well as Amelia Island and Palatka. The company offers both strolling tours and rolling tours aboard electric vehicles, accommodating everything from small groups to large private and corporate events of 75+ guests.
The Tasting Tours employs a diverse team of hospitality professionals, with three full-time staff members, eleven part-time team members, and fourteen seasonal employees, for a total annual workforce of twenty-eight, supporting operations across multiple markets and tour formats.
With more than 3,100+ five-star reviews, 14 consecutive TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence, Hall of Fame recognition, and Travelers’ Choice Awards, The Tasting Tours has been consistently ranked #1 in its category and has been featured in Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, Coastal Living, and Cooking with Paula Deen.
Proudly locally owned and community driven, The Tasting Tours is committed to supporting independent restaurants and telling the stories of the neighborhoods and people that make North Florida unique.
