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Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Guidice, Anthony Guzman.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.

Matt- I’d like to start off first by thanking Jeri Witt for nominating us to be interviewed by VoyageMIA. It is a privilege and blessing to be in the position I am in. To have someone go out of their way to try and shed light on what Anthony and I are about is more than we could have dreamed of a few years back. How we started?? Hmmm… We just did. I truly believe the first step is the always the hardest and we did it. Momentum is a crazy thing. Once I graduated from college (UCF National Champs) I caught the travel bug. I have been to 23 different countries and 25 US cities since and one activity I always sought out were Food Tours. I believe I have done around 30 of them to date. Something about learning about a city through its food really sparked my interest. Doesn’t hurt you get to eat and drink for 3 hours either. Subconsciously, I would use doing these food tours as an excuse to push myself to travel. It’s very easy to buy a new IPhone instead of a flight to Europe. I just enjoy one a lot more than the other.

I was introduced to Anthony through mutual friends and instantly we hit it off about traveling and trying different food. We started to video tape ourselves going around South Florida eating and drinking at multiple restaurants just like our foodie idol, Action Bronson. A little less drug use in our videos. We later booked a trip to Austin, Texas with our girlfriends for Valentine’s Day. I of course, booked a food tour and Anthony fell in love. We got back to Delray Beach and we started putting in the work.

Without the love and support from both our families, friends and one another, none of this would have ever been possible. So many people want to do this, want to do that and never even start. We are so fortunate for the examples we have seen first-hand, from the ones who love us unconditionally, that taking a leap of faith feels like it was something we were meant to do. I mean, my dad has been a compulsive appetizer ordered for as long as I can remember and look at me now, it’s my job!

Anthony – Thank you for featuring our story VoyageMIA! And I also want to thank Jerri Witt with The Original Popcorn House for recommending your coverage on our food tours. She has been a huge supporter since day 1 and truly a special person helping shape the Delray Beach culinary scene. I also want to make a special shoutout to my business partner in this, my “foodie partner in crime” Matt Guidice. I could not have found a better foodie and friend to embark on this journey with me – his positive mindedness, relentless effort and drive to make people’s days is a huge reason why we are here doing this interview today. We have developed a relationship where I think he makes me better, and I make him better. Such a great fit – and it shows. We have huge things ahead. Great job Matt! Our story. Gosh …. I think the best way to say it is Matt and I saw the opportunity to “Monetize our Lifestyle”. We had connected recently and really saw eye to eye on locally sourced cuisine packed with unforgettable dining experiences. I think the coolest part about it is that not much has changed since we launched CRAFT FOOD TOURS … yea we are doing more tours, getting more restaurants and growing the business …. But this is all about having fun, surrounding yourself with great people and enjoying life. I think that is why we are seeing so much success in our community, THIS IS FUN! And people LOVE IT. We went for it and haven’t looked back since that day.

Before being able to call myself a resident of Delray Beach, I was raised in South Florida where I started to develop my aspiring passion for food and cooking. Worldwide travels have helped open my eyes on the diversity of food and the individuality of the chefs, recipes and restaurants that help shape the world we savor. That is really the one special aspect of seeing the world, every place is unique and intriguing in its own way … especially through food! This concept of a food tour, where you can taste FIVE restaurants in 3 hours for one price … and the education on history, culture and architecture… I thought it was a home run idea.

I am also fascinated with creating engaging content of food, cocktails and anything culinary as for me it is absolutely necessary to have a record of a memorable meal so that it is never forgotten. Follow us on IG @craftfoodtours

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Matt- It would be easy to glorify the struggles to make our story seem special. It is special to me but not because of what we overcome but because it’s MY STORY. I love my story. Struggles, achievements, they are both one in the same to me. I get to wake up every day on my terms and live the life I want to live. It doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is easy. I have the same self-doubt that everyone has but I want obstacles and challenges. How are we supposed to improve as a business? How am I supposed to improve in my personal life?

I see people every day get bent out of shape over the smallest inconveniences and others take huge blows to their life and continue to live as if it never happened. It is all mind-set. I have a goal, and that is to live a flexible life. To everyone that could mean something different. I know what it means to me. The road is not always going to be smooth or bumpy, but it is there and I know I need to walk it to be where I want to be.

Anthony- Honestly, our biggest struggle is not devouring every craft food or drink item that is placed on the table during our food tours….

I have really learned to take on a “growth mindset” when it comes to facing challenges in life and entrepreneurship. I teach myself that people believe their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view has created a love of learning for me and a resilience that has been essential for finding small wins and gradual success with CRAFT FOOD TOURS.

When we face challenges, receive criticism, or fare poorly compared with others, we can easily fall into insecurity or defensiveness, a response that inhibits growth. I think if we keep striving to take every challenge with a grain of salt, staying positive about living life and looking at the bigger picture… we will be just fine.

Please tell us about Craft Food Tours.

We are definitely most proud of our reviews. Sometimes when things get tough for us, we open up TripAdvisor and just read the reviews out loud. Whoever would have thought, people would enjoy what we do on a daily basis so much? I always tell our group at the beginning of every tour that the best part about doing the tours are the people we meet! No matter what age, race, sex, religion etc… Everyone out here today is looking to have a good time and find a new way to experience food. That is because food is truly the only universal language.

Everyone always asks us what sets us apart from other food tours. The experience definitely is somewhat different but the main thing as that those other tours are not owned and operated by Matt Guidice and Anthony Guzman. Doesn’t make it better or worse but they can never be the same. We are who we are and they are who they are and that’s what makes the world so great.

Anthony- CRAFT FOOD TOURS is a 3-hr walking guided food/drink tour & influencer marketing company that visits top-rated eateries in Delray Beach, FL. Our tours give you the convenience to explore Downtown Delray Beach’s award-winning culinary scene for one price. During our food & drink experiences, we focus on providing tastings that include locally sourced ingredients and are representative of the unique blend of culture and spontaneity that the Delray Beach community embodies. You will spend the day walking Delray Beach’s vibrant Atlantic Avenue strip, making frequent stops in some of the staples of the neighborhood’s restaurant scene to speak with chefs and mixologists alike about what goes into the dishes and craft cocktails that you will get to enjoy.

Our goal is to match the diversity of foods that Delray Beach provides through its 150+ unique restaurants “Gourmet Paradise”. There are so many fresh food concepts that shape up the Atlantic Avenue and the structure of our tours welcomes our guests to try new things and experience made-from-scratch culinary dishes that truly have a meaning behind them. On CRAFT FOOD TOURS, we manage to taste dishes you really don’t find elsewhere: brisket quesadillas & fried brussel sprouts cooked in maple rye whiskey caramel, bacon fat with maldon sea salt, for instance. Our tours usually include 3 top-rated restaurants, a unique gourmet specialty shop & a craft beer bar.

Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients or teammates that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so – who are they and what role did they plan / how did they help.

Matt- Too many to name. Everyone we surround ourselves with is such a pleasure to be around. If I had to pick it would have to go back to our parents. Anthony and I constantly reflect on how lucky we are to have been raised by such wonderful loving parents. My mom and step dad are our #1 fans. Anthony’s family is what every family should strive to be. We understand how rare to be this lucky so we are out here trying to spread the same love to everyone we come in contact with and it has been working very well in our favor.

Anthony- Wow – I really couldn’t agree more with Matt’s answer to this question. Every day I wake up thanking God for surrounding me with the people who are in my life – especially my family. They are such special people in this world. My Mom right from the start, the one who nurtured me, prayed over me, worried about me, guided me and supported me in every pursuit. My Dad for being my rock, full of compassion, love, and strength. When I need a strong hand of support in our family, he is always there for me. His character is something I strive to be each and every day of my life. And to my siblings Chris, Alex and Carolina for sharing the same blood, the same habits, and aspirations. But what is more important, we have the same strength of our love for each other. They have not only made me so proud of them, but they also give me a feeling of gratitude that I influenced them into becoming such exceptional people.

Pricing:

Craft Food and Drink Tour – $65pp (8 Food Tastings, 2 Cocktails, 1 Craft Beer)
Happy Hour Tour – $55pp (6 FFood Tastings, 4 Cocktails)

Contact Info:

Address: Downtown, Delray Beach
Website: www.craftfoodtours.com
Phone: (954) 536-4375
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftfoodtours
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftfoodtours
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/craftfoodtours
Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/craft-food-tours-delray-beach?osq+craft+food+tours
Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g34179-Activities-C42-t204-Delray_Beach_Florida.html