2020 Gastronomy Tours hit the historic trails of Marana


February 22, 2020
By Matt Sterner

A taste of history & food from the wild

Marana has an incredible history, so get out there and discover it.

Hit the paths of our ancestors during Discover Marana’s annual Gastronomy Tours happening on multiple dates from Friday, February 28 – Friday, April 10.

If you have ever been on a hike and wondered which plants are edible, this is the culinary tour for you. You’ll be enriched with knowledge as you’re guided through Marana’s 4,000 years of agricultural history, and then introduced to the town’s master foragers, brewers, and the chefs at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.

In addition, both of the tours include an ancient archaeology tour by Southwest Archaeology’s preservation archaeologist, Allen Denoyer.

Los Morteros Holes (Credit: Marana Gastronomy Tours)
Los Morteros Holes (Credit: Marana Gastronomy Tours)

To put the icing on the cake, the two tours are the first to be approved by the Tucson City of Gastronomy, which was the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the U.S.

Tickets range from $65 to $109 per person and the tours last between four and six hours — numbers are limited. Make sure to wear comfortable closed-toe walking shoes because you will spend at least an hour of the tour outside.

So, which adventure are you going to take this year?

Marana Gastronomy Tour

Friday, February 28, March 20 & April 10
12:30 – 6 p.m.
Marana Gastronomy Tours
Photo courtesy of Town of Marana

The Marana Gastronomy Tour is $109 per person and features food tastings from executive chef Emily Dillport of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.

Itinerary
  • 12:30 p.m. – Meet at Tucson Premium Outlets
  • 1 p.m. – Tour of Los Morteros Conservation Area
  • 2:30 p.m. – Tasting at Catalina Brewing Company
  • 3:15 p.m. – Tour of ancient Hohokam farm site
  • 4:30 p.m – Tasting at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
  • 6 p.m. – Tour concludes at Tucson Premium Outlets

For more information and to book your spot on the Marana Gastronomy Tour, visit discovermarana.org.

A Taste of the Wild: The Marana Wild Foods Gastronomy Tour

Friday, March 13
9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Catalina Brewing Company
Photo courtesy of Town of Marana

A Taste of the Wild: The Marana Wild Foods Gastronomy Tour is $65 per person and includes a guided wild foods tour with wild foods cookbook author Carolyn Niethammer.

This tour also features a stop at either Button Brew House or Catalina Brewing Company, tastings from Bean Tree Farm, and a guided archaeology tour.

For more information and to book your spot on the A Taste of the Wild: Marana Wild Foods Gastronomy Tour, visit discovermarana.org.

For more info on both of the Marana Gastronomy Tours, visit discovermarana.org.

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