Let’s Eat Tanzania – The Story Behind the Tour

Before Let’s Eat Tanzania existed, I kept seeing Zanzibar everywhere — glistening coastlines, white-sand beaches, and turquoise water so perfect it looked unreal. But I knew there had to be more. You don’t get called the Spice Islands without a story. I’ve always been fascinated by the migration of food — where it originates, how it travels, and what it tells us about the people who carry it. And so I began to look deeper.

At first, the plan was personal: a family trip, a bit of rest, a chance to see a new place. But I couldn’t leave it at that. We were in the middle of planning our “world tour,” visiting potential destinations for Let’s Eat The World, and something about Tanzania wouldn’t let go of me. I didn’t want to just lie on a beach — I wanted to learn. I wanted to listen.

And I knew I couldn’t do that alone.

A Facebook Post, a Zoom Call, and a Leap of Trust

In a travel providers’ Facebook group, I posted a call: I was visiting a few countries and wanted to speak with local agents. No fluff, no vague inquiries — just a real offer to connect. Joshua Philbert was one of the voices who responded, and he kept showing up. I’m always cautious with internet introductions (you have to be), but there was something about how he communicated that made me trust my instincts.

We jumped on a Zoom call. Being able to read someone’s body language, to see their eyes when they speak — that matters. I told him exactly what I hoped to build. I admitted what I didn’t know about his country and culture, and I shared my desire to learn. That conversation laid the foundation for everything.

We planned an itinerary together — a real collaboration, not a free ride. I paid a deposit just like any other client would. Joshua didn’t know me either, so we met each other on equal footing.

When my husband, son, and I arrived in Moshi, he and his business partner, Gideon Daniel, picked us up from the B&B they had arranged. We traveled together through Moshi and Arusha. For Zanzibar, I handled the arrangements independently — another layer I added based on my own research and curiosity. Even with local partners, I’m always looking for ways to bring complementary pieces into the experience. Everyone learns something.

From Joshua: Why This Tour Matters

“This tour was created because there’s so much more to Tanzania than just wildlife and safaris. While those experiences are amazing, there’s a whole world of culture, tradition, and flavor that many travelers miss. Let’s Eat Tanzania is about slowing down and getting closer to the everyday lives of local people — through the food we cook, the meals we share, and the stories behind them.

I agreed to collaborate because this vision aligns closely with how I see tourism — it should be enriching for the traveler and respectful, empowering, and authentic for the local communities involved.

One part of the itinerary I’m especially excited about is introducing guests to our local street food scene. It’s where people eat every day, and it says so much about our rhythms, tastes, and creativity.

This tour feels different from others I’ve led because it’s more immersive. There’s time to pause, ask questions, and build relationships — with food vendors, farmers, artists, and even the landscape. It feels more human.”

— Joshua Philbert, Guide & Local Partner for Let’s Eat Tanzania

Joshua’s excitement for showcasing Tanzania’s street food isn’t just about flavor — it’s also an answer to common misunderstandings. Here’s what first-time visitors often get wrong about Tanzanian food — and why it matters. It’s the way we help open people’s perspectives and preconceptions.

A Tour That Feels Like Home — Even When It’s New

This tour is different from the ones we’ve created in Uzès, Seville, or even Parma. There, guests often arrive with some frame of reference. They may already know French wine, Italian pasta, or Spanish tapas. But for most, Tanzanian food is still unfamiliar — and that’s exactly why we’re offering it.

The food will be delicious — that much is non-negotiable. I’m a foodie, and I wouldn’t design a tour around meals I wouldn’t love myself. Expect depth, spice (but not necessarily heat), texture, richness, and balance. And yes, you’ll still be wearing aprons. We may not be in a single villa kitchen for days on end, but the hands-on moments are there — with flavor and feeling baked in.

This tour focuses less on teaching techniques and more on revealing the meaning behind the dishes: Why this food? Why this way? Who taught you? What do you remember when you make this? We’re cooking with intention, and we’re eating with curiosity.

It also marks two big firsts for Let’s Eat The World:

• A safari day in Ngorongoro Crater — a nod to the wildlife Tanzania is known for, without shifting the tour’s culinary and cultural focus

• A collaboration with a local NGO, allowing guests to engage with community-rooted work

The Moment That Moved Me Most

There was a moment with the Chagga community that I’ll never forget. We weren’t sitting inside someone’s home — we were outdoors, cooking alongside the matriarch of the household, learning by doing. Later, we joined the men of the family for a coffee-making ritual — a tradition usually reserved for them, carried out in song. They welcomed us in.

Nothing about it felt staged. Nothing was performative. It was a moment of shared rhythm and quiet understanding. By then, Joshua and Gideon had truly warmed up to us, and we were welcomed not as tourists but as guests. My husband, son, and I experienced something real — something that reminded me why I do this, and why this tour had to exist.

This is why I believe every group needs someone who walks alongside them the whole week. A big sister or brother. A trusted point person who shows you not just the sights, but the soul of the place.

The Stars of This Story

When I first launched Let’s Eat The World, I imagined chef-led everything. But in time, I realized something: in places where culinary traditions haven’t traveled the globe the way French or Italian food has, the stardom of chefs looks different.

The stars here are the aunties, the mamas, the grandmas. The ones who cook from memory. The ones who feed you because they want you to feel seen. And if you ask the world’s best chefs who taught them to cook, you’ll often hear those same names. So in a way, Let’s Eat Tanzania is a return to the source, and a chef-curated cultural tour in Tanzania is what this is about.

A Personal Invitation

This tour isn’t about safari photos or beach resorts. It’s about flavor, memory, connection, and perspective. It’s a chance to experience Tanzania the way I did — with openness, partnership, and a readiness to listen.

Curious what the food is actually like? Find out what you’ll really be eating in Tanzania.

Not sure how a safari fits into a food-focused trip? Here’s why we included Ngorongoro Crater — and what to expect.

If you’re seeking a chef-curated cultural tour in Tanzania that offers depth, perspective, and warmth, this is the one. Discover the full tour here.

Because once you see what’s behind the photos, you might never see Tanzania—or a chef-curated cultural tour in Tanzania—the same way again.