FAQ

Curious about something?

After 12+ years and thousands of food tours, we've been asked almost everything. Here are the answers for the most common questions asked by our guests.

For those not so "common questions" chat with your Culinary Guide, we've had some doozys! 

ALLERGIES + DIETARY CONCERNS

WE CARE ABOUT YOU, and we're happy to accommodate most* dietary restrictions + allergies.  

Here's how we approach your enjoyment on our award-winning food tours.

Since 2011, Culinary Adventure Co. experiences have been crafted to celebrate the best and most signature items from each of our vendors, shops and restaurants. 

It's their dishes, their bites, and their stories that make the difference.

Those celebrated dishes and bites may include allergens or dietary restrictions, BUT we offer so much variety and choice on our Food Tours that should you miss a bite, or have a dish / flavour swapped out to accommodate - you or those guests effected will always leave full and satisfied. 

We are happy to provide a safe, delicious place for those with these dietary needs ....

  • Vegetarian
  • No Dairy
  • Lactose-Intolerant
  • No Eggs
  • No Nuts + Seeds
  • * Gluten-Free >> NOTE: More 'swaps or skips' of certain bites + dishes may be required.
  • Halal
  • No Shellfish
  • No Fish + Seafood
  • Pescatarian
  • No Beef
  • No Pork
  • No Mushrooms
  • No Garlic
  • No Cilantro
  • No Citrus
  • No Mango
  • No Avocado
  • No Stone-fruit
  • No Soy
  • No Caffeine

VEGAN options are not possible on most of our PUBLIC tours, that's why we've created our remarkable Vegan Tour: Kensington Krawl™ to celebrate just Vegan treats + eats - but frankly, this tour is for everyone - it's so delicious.

VEGAN options can be accommodated on PRIVATE + VIP tours booked directly with Culinary Adventure Co. 

***

Strict Kosher, Celiac, Paleo and Keto are often too tricky to navigate on our PUBLIC tours, but can be discussed for PRIVATE + VIP experiences.

***

We are here to help, if you HAVE SERIOUS FOOD ALLERGIES, or questions please email us or give us a call before purchasing tickets for any of our Food Tours or Culinary Adventures.

PEACE OF MIND™ BOOKING PROTECTION

We're a family business ... we understand that "life happens".

Our PEACE OF MIND™ Tour Protection† allows you to cancel your Food Tour with ONLY 4 HOURS NOTICE, giving you the freedom to switch, change or withdraw for any reason. During your online purchase of Culinary Adventure Co. tickets, you’ll have the option to opt-in to protect your tickets or opt-out of coverage.

PEACE OF MIND™ Booking Protection for Food Tours + Experiences is a great option considering the pandemic restrictions. 

NOTE: Specific tours notices,

† Min. of 24 HOURS NOTICE of cancelation for VIP Early Access Food Tour of St. Lawrence Market is required.

† Min. of 72 HOURS NOTICE of cancelation for ALL our Culinary Adventures, Classes or Partner Experiences is required, including Escape the City™: Canoe Paddle + Dining Adventure, Uncork the County, Cheese + Cheers, etc.

All cancellations / notifications / rescheduling must be EMAILED to operations@culinaryadventureco.com.

No phone calls, voicemails, texts, social media posts, messages, carry pigeons, or DMs will be accepted. 

BY EMAIL ONLY, ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS.

TOUR SIZE

We've always made you feel like family, with small intimate tours. However, there is limited capacity on some tours, and those guest-capacity limits are listed under 'Tour Highlights' on each tour page.

So book early, not to be disappointed when tours start to fill up. 

However, if you want a Food Tour for a BIGGER group, or more tickets than available on a particular tour - we can offer a private food tour for just your gang. Check out our PRIVATE + GROUP page for details.

OUR REFUND POLICY

Just like any other theatre, sporting, concert, movie or special event - ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL.  We operate rain or shine, snow or cold, so last minute cancelations are not permitted or offered, regardless of reason or circumstance, without PEACE OF MIND™ Tour Protection.

If you choose NOT to protect your tickets, they will be non-refundable, however life happens, and if you notify Culinary Adventure Co., by EMAIL in advance (min. 48 hours) your Food Tour tickets may be converted to Gift Certificate or exchanged for a new date (based on availability) – for NO CHARGE.  For Culinary Adventures, we require a min. of 72 hours notification by EMAIL. For more flexibility, please consider our PEACE OF MIND™ Tour Protection options.

All notifications / rescheduling must be EMAILED to operations@culinaryadventureco.com.

NO phone calls, voicemails, texts, social media posts, messages, carry pigeons, or DMs will be accepted. BY EMAIL ONLY, ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS.

HOW MUCH FOOD WILL THERE BE?

We run Food Tours not 'snack tours'.

While you won’t roll away uncomfortable you’ll have plenty to eat and drink and certainly will leave satisfied. 

PRO TIP: Skip or have a very light breakfast for our daytime tours, and come hungry - plus, bring a cloth bag to shop or carry home leftovers.

WHEN SHOULD I DO A TOUR ON MY TRIP?

We suggest you take our food tour early, if not the first thing, on your visit. By joining us early you’ll have a great sense of the city, places to visit, and most important the best places to eat. We’ll have lots of recommendations for you, so you don’t get swept up in to the “tourist traps”.

WHERE DO WE GO ON THE TOUR?

While we don’t list all of our stops in advance, you’ll be able to get a great sense of the adventure you’re about to enjoy from our website and social media channels. Plus, we believe that the magic of taking a food tour is the element of surprise. You'll recieve a full tour listing and other recommendations after your tour.

I LIVE HERE, WHY WOULD I DO A FOOD TOUR?

At Culinary Adventure Co. we enjoy treating tourist like locals and locals like tourists. We guarantee that you’ll see, eat and learn something new. Perhaps you’ll discover a new favourite place or should you have been to one of our stops before, you’ll likely be introduced to a new favourite dish.

Plus, it’s a great way to explore your city and entertain visiting friends and family.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE PLACES?

As chefs, restaurant owners, foodservice professionals and local food champions of food – we take our guests to where we eat. Our local hang-outs, our special spots and places that have delicious stories to share. We pay full price to our partners, we don’t have kick-backs or promo deals like other operators. This is a true food tour not a time-share presentation for businesses that want to promote themselves.

I’M A BIT PICKY, IS A FOOD TOUR A GOOD IDEA?

All of our experiences are very accessible. We offer food tours not “fear factor” tours. While we may push you outside of your comfort on the occasional bite, everything is unique, safe, fresh and delicious.

DOES THE FOOD TOUR INCLUDE DRINKS?

Your ticket includes all the food and drinks served on the tour. Some of our tours may have an optional alcoholic drink package, otherwise we’ve got you covered. No additional charges, unless you decide to shop or buy something delicious to take home.

DO YOU PROVIDE VEGETARIAN OPTIONS?

Yes.

Just make sure to select that option when you purchase your tickets. 

See above FAQs for our our full Allergy + Dietary Restrictions approach.

DO YOU PROVIDE VEGAN OPTIONS?

Yes and no.

VEGAN options are not possible on most of our PUBLIC tours, that's why we've created our remarkable Vegan Tour: Kensington Krawl™ to celebrate just Vegan treats + eats - but frankly, this tour is for everyone - it's so delicious.

VEGAN options can be accommodated on PRIVATE + VIP tours booked directly with Culinary Adventure Co. 

See above FAQs for our our full Allergy + Dietary Restrictions approach.

DO YOU PROVIDE GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS?

Maybe. 

We can often substitute a dish or two on the tour to make it Gluten-Free, however sometimes we just can’t.  And while we may not be able to offer a perfect 'swap', we offer so much variety and choice on our Food Tours that should you miss a bite, or have a dish / flavour swapped out to accommodate - you or those guests effected will always leave full and satisfied. 

See above FAQs for our our full Allergy + Dietary Restrictions approach.

HOW FAR DO WE WALK?

Our food tours range 1.5 - 2 KMs (approx. 1 mile) over approx. 2-3 hours, with really no more than 20-25 mins. total walking. We stop numerous times and keep a very accessible causal comfy pace.

WHERE DO THE TOURS START AND FINISH?

The exact beginning and end locations will be provided at the time of ticket purchase(s). Many of our food tours do not finish at the same location as the meeting point. However, our ending location is usually a few mins. walk away from the start. Giving you another chance to visit and shop the spots you’ve just been introduced too!

ARE THERE WASHROOMS ON THE TOUR?

Yes, BUT during these weird COVID times and restrictions, washrooms are not guranateed during the food tour at certain locations. We will do our best to accomodate but be aware of personal needs in advance.

ARE THE TOURS ACCESSIBLE?

Yes, the majority of our food tours are accessible to wheelchairs and walking aids, however many of the washrooms are not. We will let you know in advance. We’ll make it comfortable for you.

CAN CHILDREN + INFANTS COME ON THE TOURS + ADVENTURES?

FOOD TOURS

We love exposing children and kids to new neighbourhoods and foods, so yes, bring them along. We do offer Children pricing for 6-12, but once they are teenagers, as parents ourselves, we know they’ll eat. So adult tickets and portions are applicable.

If your child (aged 5 and less) will not be participating in the food tastings, you do not need to purchase a ticket for them.

However, when booking your food tour ticket, you must identify that you will be bringing an infant or young child on the tour, so they can be accommodated.

ESCAPE THE CITY: CANOE PADDLE + CULINARY ADVENTURE

Children, 6 and older CAN join our Esape the City: Canoe Paddle + Culinary Adventure if they can swim and/or have had previous canoe paddle experience. If you have any questions about this adventure for your family, contact us directly.

CULINARY ADVENTURES

Due to the complexities of our other Culinary Adventures, ranging from transportation, professional kitchen access, alcohol inclusions, adult content and lifestyle presentations to a variety of third-party vendors arrangements, infants and children are not permitted. The general exception to this policy is allowing an infant or child to join a privately booked food tour or adventure, but again at the full discretion of Culinary Adventure Co.

CAN I BRING A STROLLER?

Yep, just be aware that some of our food tours visit very small shops and busy neighbourhoods. Small collapsible ones that can be quickly folded are best.

IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE?

Yes, there is parking, public and private, located near our meeting points.  Parking details are included in the meeting spot directions provided after purchasing ticket(s) or Google the meeting point and pick the best option for your group.

IS THERE PUBLIC TRANSIT AVAILABLE?

Yes, we’ve tried as best as we could to make our meetings spots accessible by public transit. That said, some of our culinary adventures and longer experiences are not.

ARE TOURS HELD ON BAD WEATHER?

Yes, our food tours run rain or shine, snow or cold, wet or dry. Please dress for weather.  In the event of Culinary Adventure Co. cancelling any food tour or adventure, you’ll be notified 48 hours (or more) in advance.

If you are concerned about weather, consider our PEACE OF MIND™ Tour Protection, which gives you more flexibility on the day.

WHAT IF I WANT TO CANCEL BECAUSE OF WEATHER?

Just like any other theatre, sporting, concert, movie or special event - ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL.  We operate rain or shine, snow or cold, wet or dry - so last minute cancelations are not permitted or offered, regardless of reason or circumstance, without protection.

If you choose NOT to protect your tickets, they will be non-refundable, however life happens, and if you notify Culinary Adventure Co., by EMAIL in advance (min. 48 hours) your Food Tour tickets may be converted to Gift Certificate or exchanged for a new date (based on availability) – for NO CHARGE.  For Culinary Adventures, we require a min. of 72 hours notification by EMAIL.

For more flexbilty, please consider our PEACE OF MIND™ Tour Protection options.

All notifications / rescheduling must be EMAILED to operations@culinaryadventureco.com. NO phone calls, voicemails, texts, social media posts, messages, carry piegons, or DMs will be accepted. BY EMAIL ONLY, ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS.

I HAVE A GIFT / VOUCHER CODE FROM A FOOD TOUR IN A BOX™ in 2020, HOW DO I USE THEM?

From March 2020 to November 2020, we ran a limited COVID recovery promotion where in many (not all) of our FOOD TOUR IN A BOX™ and Online Class Boxes we included a Gift / Voucher code towards the purchase of the coresponding LIVE Food Tour or Culinary Adventure in the future.

e.g. If you purchased a St. Lawrence Market Food Tour in Box during the promotional window, you likely received an incentive to book a LIVE St. Lawrence Market Food Tour in the future.

As indicated during your purchase, Gift / Voucher codes were exclusively for Culinary Adventure Co. live food tours and in-person culinary adventures only, in addition Gift / Vouchers codes are simply discounts (set value) off the purchase of one (1) Culinary Adventure Co. live food tour and / or culinary adventure ticket.

Gift / Voucher codes have no monetary value and are not valid towards Gift Certificates, Subscriptions, Merchandise, Online Classes, Food Tours in a Box, Culinary Shop items, Private, VIP or Group bookings.

COVID Gift / Voucher codes cannot be applied retroactively to existing bookings or used in conjunction with other discounts, promotional codes or gift certificates. Limit one (1) gift / voucher code per ticket only. Bookings will be cancelled if attempted.

EXPIRE DATE

Unfortunately, this campaign and all Gift / Voucher codes expired December 31, 2021 and there is no possibility of extension, as theses were a co-share with our partners and the campaign is over.

DO WE REALLY HAVE TO PADDLE ON THE CANOE ADVENTURE?

Yes.

If you can put a fork in your mouth, you can put a paddle in the water. Guests from all ages, backgrounds and physicality have been paddling for years. It’s easy, it’s about team work!