Golden Pineapple (Hospitality) Awards

​CONGRATS!! Last night, The Tasting Tours Co-Founder, Andrea Jones-Downs (CEO), was honored at the Golden Pineapple (Hospitality) Awards! Celebrating the top 20 women over the past 10 years (2018 honoree).
When asked why she chose and loves a career in hospitality:
"The world of hospitality and tourism is vibrant, lively, and always interesting. It’s never cookie cutter, there is always something different to experience, and it also allows you to have a creative outlet. And...it's all about teamwork! There is no 'I' in team. I am very lucky that I get to share my workdays (and more) with my amazing business partner, JoAnna Engel (CFO). With whom, we co-founded the company together in 2011. And Niki Kemper (COO), who joined the team in 2016 and became a shareholder in 2019. I could not imagine my days without them! Entrepreneurial women working together, as a team, to support a common goal and each other.
I come from a cruise line background and what better hospitality training ground is there than that?! I actually had the best training from two worlds with Premier Cruise Lines & the Walt Disney Company (the official cruise line for Disney at the time). Disney ethics is a powerful tool and when teamed with a cruise company…it is ‘magical’. I may be on land now, but that type of training carries over into everything I do and put into the company. From 5-star customer service to top notch hospitality standards.
On the fun side of my career…I get to eat and drink ‘professionally’!! And I am good at it! As a highly regarded food tour company, we have the amazing opportunity to be ambassadors for our city and its venues. Our job, as a company, is to promote the venues, highlight the dishes/chefs and make recommendations for the guests’ return. And best of all, we get to indulge and partake, all the while promoting, the wonderful food culture within the city. It’s a dream job - win, win!"
Congrats, Andrea!! The management team of The Tasting Tours would like to extend our thanks to Leigh Cort Publicity, for creating a wonderful organization (Womens Food Alliance), where we can all share our business accolades, networking opportunities, entrepreneurial ideas and friendships with other like-minded women.
#girlpower www.thetastingtours.com