Certified Central Florida Specialist!

Certified Central Florida Specialist!

by | Jan 3, 2021 | Winter Haven Food Tours Latest Updates

Twenty years ago, I was living in Miami and was so busy getting my BA in music and theatre that I didn’t really get to experience all that the city had to offer. Of course I had to eat, so I enjoyed great Cuban food and was introduced to sushi.

I applied to work for Miami Duck Tours through a friend and got a free tour and some training, but my schedule conflicted since most tours were during the day. I did however find work as an office manager and karaoke host with a guy named Boogie Man George. During that time, I competed, was crowned Karaoke Queen, and even made it to Nationals! 

When I moved to New York, I was always busy working my 9-5 job and would walk through Grand Central every single day admiring its glory and wonder. I had wished I had the time to take a tour. 

When I became unemployed, I began looking for work again and came across a ghost tour company that did them in Grand Central. He needed an office manager and a guide. I got to take the tour for free and of course became certified to work in New York. After working with him for a year, I started my own walking tour company. 

Now that I live in Central Florida, I’ve made it my mission to experience all that it has to offer. I came across Visit Central Florida, and now I am certified! Not only that but I’m stoked to share all that it has to offer with my newborn son who, when he’s old enough, will get to enjoy it with us. 

Hope you get the chance to come join me and take a tour too!

2021 Press Release For Winter Haven Food Tours LLC

2021 Press Release For Winter Haven Food Tours LLC

by | Dec 30, 2020 | Press/Media

For Immediate Release: Winter Haven Food Tours, LLC Amada Anderson (863) 288-0038 [email protected] www.winterhavenfoodtours.com WINTER HAVEN, FL / JANUARY 1, 2021 – Winter Haven Food Tours, LLC announces a new walking food tour company coming to central downtown Winter Haven in March of 2021. Celebrating history, architecture, and cultural cuisine. “We are thrilled to be the first to offer food tours for small groups to this award-winning city,” said Amada Anderson, the owner and tour guide. “The tours visit historical landmarks like the Gram Parson’s Derry Down, the Ritz Theatre, and even where the first Publix (now a restaurant!) was established all while sampling tasty treats brought to you by family-owned businesses.” The three unique tours currently offered include: THE FLAVORS OF WINTER HAVEN — This tour is for guests of all ages and features a guided tour in the beautiful downtown city streets, historical food culture, and behind-the-scenes stories. It runs Wednesday-Sunday @1:30pm. WINTER HAVEN BRUNCH TOUR and WINTER HAVEN HAPPY HOUR TOUR — These two walking food tours (for guests 21 and over) will visit different drinking establishments, including the famous Grove Roots Brewery and Union Taproom. Brunch tours are offered every weekend @9:30am and will end with a visit to the local Farmers Market. Happy hour tours run Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday @4:30pm. All public tours start at $65 a person (if 4 or more register) with a maximum of 10 people per tour. Private tours are also available. All participants are required to wear masks and adhere to COVID restrictions. Proceeds of each ticket sale is returned to local food-related charities and of course joining a tour is directly supporting multiple small businesses. The company was created by Amada Anderson who is a licensed and certified world-renowned tour guide. She currently runs a walking tour company in New York City called New York Broadway Tours and is the Secretary for the National Federation of Tourist Guides Association. #WHFoodTours @WinterHavenFoodTours ###
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Launching a food tour during a pandemic!

Launching a food tour during a pandemic!

by | Dec 6, 2020 | Food

But before I get started let me share a little background….

2019 started off amazing. I visited the World Federation of Tourist Guides Association convention in Tbilisi, Georgia. This was 3 weeks of touring the country and taking workshops with some of the best guides in the world.

When I returned to New York my husband and I decided that we would actually move to Florida. My mom is in her late 70’s and she had recently visited us over the Holidays and after having some discussions about starting a family we felt it would work out better if we moved in to help her. I would still run my tour company New York Broadway Tours from Florida and continue traveling as a tour director.

The following tour guide season was extremely busy… I worked for Explore America as a tour director and so I was with student groups visiting Philadelphia, Boston, New York, and Washington D.C.

I traveled so much that when I found out my mother-in-law had cancer it was a tough ending to the season. It was aggressive and it came back strong. She didn’t even last a month or so. We had to say goodbye.

Shortly after this we returned back to Florida and I finally started looking for temporary work. I fortunately found a job working as the Executive Assistant for the City Clerk in Winter Haven. I worked with all the commissioners and fell in love with downtown Winter Haven. Of course I didn’t realize that I also had gotten pregnant…. flash forward to still working into the new year in 2020 and then COVID hit.

All the tours for the next season were cancelled and I was needed at City Hall. Flash forward to when I was not needed and unemployment kicked in. Then I had my newborn baby in June and the rest of the year flew by. Now with the idea of a vaccine out it felt like maybe next year I could offer my services locally and help do what I do best. Share my love of history and storytelling for the city of Winter Haven.

My entrepreneurial spirit decided that it was ready and so Winter Haven Food Tours LLC was born!