Food might not be the sole reason why people travel, but savoring foreign delicacies still remains a vital part of the traveling experience. There are plenty of services out there looking to connect you to restaurants while abroad, but how many are able to treat you to a fresh, home cooked meal?
In order to help you make the best of your dining opportunities, VizEat aims to connect travelers with unique, local dining experiences. Think of it as akin to Airbnb, except with more breakfast and less bed. RewardExpert recently had the opportunity to speak with the CMO of VizEat, Pierrine Griffiths, in order to learn more.
Back to where it all began
The original idea for the company came to co-founder Jean-Michel Petit while he was visiting Peru on vacation. He had been invited to share a traditional Native-American meal with some of the locals when he realized what a unique opportunity it was.
Petit reached out to co-founder Camille Rumani who came from a background in corporate finance, they were able to solidify the idea into what would become VizEat. The company officially opened its digital doors to globetrotters around the world in 2014 and has since been making trips better one meal at a time.
Using VizEat to find local cuisine
Currently, VizEat boasts the largest database in Europe for local food experiences. “The service connects tourists with local hosts for unique experiences,” Griffiths says, “The experiences held are up to the host. We’ve seen family dinners, cooking classes, and even rooftop parties. Food is at the core here, but it is over food that the best discussions are usually had.”
How does VizEat regulate hosts and events given the usually strict laws around the preparation of food? According to Griffiths, all new hosts must undergo a thorough vetting process by the community team. Hosts and events must meet a certain minimum level of quality; those that show high potential are even promoted by VizEat. In addition, both the guest and the host are covered by insurance.
Tips for dining abroad
When asked if she had any tips for those looking for a good meal while abroad, Griffiths shared some information. “When VizEat first launched, many of our hosts were actually expats looking to provide a dining experience similar to their home countries. Even now, we have quite a few French and Italian hosts in the U.K. You could, for example, experience a Mexican host in Spain, or a Japanese host in Paris. Because of this, don’t think you need to be constrained by the type of food native to the country you are traveling to. Really, you can use VizEat whether you’re traveling around the world, or even just around the corner.”
In addition, Griffiths pointed out that local hosts will generally be some of the most informed folks when it comes to their local area. Being able to sit down with locals over lunch can help visitors discover new venues or activity ideas they might have otherwise not known of before, allowing travelers to connect with the local culture.
If you want to go for something authentic whether you want to experience local cuisine or want to try something foreign or familiar, then consider giving VizEat a try.