Tourism and specifically over-tourism has been getting a bad rap of late. Venice has imposed an entry fee of five Euros, (or about seven dollars fifty), to deter visitors and has banned cruise ships of a certain size from entering the port. Amsterdam is sick and tired of its party city reputation and the clientele it attracts. In Australia, Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock has been closed to tourists as its religious significance to the Indigenous population, the Anangu, has become more understood. In Japan, Mount Fuji has been screened off to deter droves of would be photographers. Slowly the tide is turning against the negative affects of mass tourism. Recently Grapevine Magazine published a text by Rebecca Mackenzie outlining the problems caused by over tourism in The County. Solutions proposed involved changing the nature of the tourist experience from the alcohol fuelled party model to something valuing cultural and culinary experiences. At the time, I commented we need to be more Niagara-on-the-Lake and less Niagara Falls. No one objected, even in Niagara Falls.
“Cometh the hour, cometh the man” is an ancient proverb suggesting that in times of great need someone will rise to the demands of the occasion. In our case the expression needs adapting to “commeth the hour, cometh the women.” And who are the women in question? Allow me to introduce Marie Greatrix and Lindsay Hepburn and their recently developed business concept, County Epicurious.
The classicists among us will recognize the root of the term Epicurious as pertaining to the Athenian philosopher Epicurus who suggested that pleasure was the greatest virtue. Supposedly, he is the originator of the maxim “Eat, drink and be merry.” Over time, the hedonistic associations this philosophy have transitioned more to interpretations implying the cultured and discriminating. Nowadays the epicurean tag suggests a person of refined and discriminating taste. Marie and Lindsay like to quote Epicurus as saying, “We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink.” In that nugget of Epicurus’s wisdom lies the social kernel of Marie and Lindsay’s new business.
County Epicurious offers curated small group walking tours of Picton’s Main Street revealing the unusual and the hidden, offering treats specially prepared for participants, who will experience opportunities they would be unlikely to discover for themselves. Guided by an Artisanal Wanderer, participants proceed on an up to three hour and potentially three kilometre wander where they will encounter and connect with the community and its history, discover new flavours, and experience in an off piste kind of way, the best The County has to offer. Up close and personal encounters with County Chefs and behind the scenes access to local business owners are on the menu. The precise itinerary will vary from tour to tour and day to day, depending on what’s available, but that’s all part of the fun. Taking a wander is a gesture of faith, an opportunity to put yourself in the care of the County Epicurious team, relax and enjoy the ride and experience the best in food and drink and other surprises some of The County has to offer.
Wanders commence at 10am or 2pm rain or shine and will comprise a minimum of five guests to a maximum of ten with one or two guides. At the conclusion of your wander there is the opportunity to take home a memory of your visit to share with friends in the form of an Epicurious Box which is packed with unique treasures from Prince Edward County.
Could County Epicurious be the future of tourism for Prince Edward County? It will certainly appeal to a sophisticated audience who seek elegant, enlightening experiences.
I took a wander to report back and I found it fascinating and very well constructed with the delivery of historical information carefully interwoven with our travels through Picton’s architecture and geography. Following a tasty treat at a reserved table in The Royal, we exited by the rear door, to learn that the building opposite, in days of yore, had been a theatre where the Marx Brothers had once performed, and later a cinema. Intriguing stuff. After digesting that information, it was time for another delightful nibble at another exclusive location. Later, we found ourselves studying a painting of the death of Sir Thomas Picton at the battle of Waterloo, in one of the town’s premiere establishments, whilst being served wine. A secret rooftop picnic concluded with quite the best butter tart I had ever had in my life! Now it was time for wandering back along Main Street to our starting point: for our final stop we visited a cocktail bar, where in reserved seating, the group enjoyed alcoholic or non alcoholic cocktails. The latter was particularly impressive.
My concluding thoughts, I confess I learned more about the history of Prince Edward County in that three hours than I had in last seventeen years. The interweaving of history and gastronomic treats provides the chance to experience opportunities one would probably not be able to discover oneself on a short trip. I made two new friends and thoroughly enjoyed an off piste exploration of Picton’s Main Street like never before.
County Epicurious is the antidote to the typical tourist experience. Participants create demand for County products and export those products back to their home towns to share with friends and relatives. Over time exporting our County bounty can only widen our reputation and increase the size of the pie by bringing more thoughtful tourism to Prince Edward County. County Epicurious provides our visitors with a novel and thoughtful way to experience Picton. For more details and how to book your artisanal wander, see countyepicurious.ca
