OUR TEAM
& mission
Walking locals and visitors from one food stop to another in beautiful Monterey, we at Monterey Bay Food Tours strive to share the best of our city’s culture, history, and food, while helping other locally owned and operated businesses sustain and grow.
CASEY
OWNER & FOUNDER
foodie@montereybayfoodtours.com
FAVORITE DRINK:
Bold red wines are my favorite, but Negroni’s are quickly becoming my favorite cocktail
FAVORITE FOOD:
Too many to pick just one - anything Indian (an Indian restaurant catered my wedding), pizza, my husband’s grandmother’s mole, and anything with eggplant or okra
FUN FACTS:
Welcome to Monterey Bay Food Tours! My name is Casey. I am a lover of great food, wine, and culture and am the proud owner and founder of Monterey Bay Food Tours. I was born and raised in Georgia, but dreamed of moving to California since high school. When my husband was given the opportunity to move to Monterey for work in the summer of 2016, we jumped at the opportunity. I’d first visited the area 7 years prior to moving and immediately fell in love with the food and cultural diversity the California Central Coast has to offer. Having worked in industries as varied as medical research, education (I was a Spanish teacher), and hospitality, as well as spending time as a stay-at-home mom, I finally feel that I am fulfilling my dream of working for myself and doing what I love. We have always enjoyed cooking for and trying new foods with friends and family, but now I am excited to share this passion with you. I love traveling, exploring new places, hiking, running, biking, and trying new things.
When the pandemic turned everyone’s world turned upside down, it brought big changes for my family. My husband was offered an amazing job in Abu Dhabi, and with tourism on hold, we took a flight halfway across the world to our new home and next adventure. I am so fortunate to have such an amazing team on the ground in Monterey that allows me to continue to run my dream business from afar.
JESSICA
TOUR LEADER
FAVORITE DRINK:
Anything fruity—juice, cocktails, beer, hard seltzer, or wine
FAVORITE FOOD:
Cioppino, packed with all kinds of seafood
FUN FACTS:
I enjoy hiking and treating myself to a hearty meal afterward, so I don't feel guilty about the calorie intake. Over the years, I've visited many national parks in the US and tackled some significant hikes, including Half Dome in Yosemite, Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon, and Sykes Hot Springs in Big Sur.
Just before COVID, I developed an interest in baking and cooking, primarily focusing on Asian recipes. I often spend my indoor time creating delicious dishes to share with friends. Some of my specialties include chiffon cake, Japanese cheesecake, cranberry butter cookies, egg tarts, and steamed buns.
I grew up in China and moved to the US in early 2007. I am fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and English, and I enjoy sharing interesting cultural stories. Additionally, I have a full-time job teaching Chinese to adults.
LUYEN
TOUR LEADER
FAVORITE DRINK:
Watermelon and mint smoothies.
FAVORITE FOOD:
Spring rolls, gimbap, and tacos because all can be filled with almost anything to make a delicious meal. I also love any comfort food my mom makes.
FUN FACTS:
I love hot springs, traveling, and exploring new cuisines and cultural festivals. I've hiked Machu Picchu, bathed in onsens all over Japan, marveled at Las Fallas pyrotechnics, visited Lenin at Red Square, snorkeled with Galapagos sea lions, and chased northern lights all over Iceland. I'm always excited for my next adventure.
I'm a pharmacist and diabetes educator who is passionate about preventative care. I also love volunteering with hospice and the second harvest foodbank.
VALERIE
FOOD TOUR LEADER
foodie@montereybayfoodtours.com
FAVORITE DRINK:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Lava Flows (when I’m visiting Hawaii!)
FAVORITE FOOD:
A warm crusty French baguette topped with butter, Italian salami, and brie cheese. I also love a good charcuterie board filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts.
FUN FACTS:
After I graduated from high school, I was a Rotary Club International Exchange Student in Chile, South America for one year. While I was there, I was able to visit Peru and Machu Picchu.
I love to travel and am willing to go anywhere…especially if there is lots of sun, sea, and sand!
Hawaii is my happy place! I’ve been able to visit the Hawaiian Islands many times over the years. I love listening to Jake Shimabukuro play the ukulele.
In my free time, I enjoy walking my dog, hiking, photography, and reading (Monterey Bay history, Hawaiian history, and any travel book, of course!)
SONJA
TOUR LEADER
FAVORITE DRINK:
Champagne, non-muddled Old Fashioneds and creative Mocktails
FAVORITE FOOD:
I don't think I could name just one food - too many to choose from and too many different cuisines. But if I had to pick one, it would be Tacos - especially the fishy kind.
FUN FACTS:
When I don't give food tours, you'll either find me walking my dog, biking, volunteering, travelling or planning travel
Other fun facts: I am fluent in German and once jumped out of an airplane and saw Monterey from above (tandem jump). Also rode my bike from San Francisco to LA - twice - in support of AIDS/Lifecycle
LIKA
TOUR LEADER
FAVORITE DRINK:
Bold Cabernets and Malbecs
FAVORITE FOOD:
I love food, so anything made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients has a special place in my heart.
FUN FACTS:
I was born and raised in Brazil, and my parents were immigrants from Japan. They settled in Sao Paulo, which is the largest city in South America, and has the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. Growing up, I attended a German School and earned my bachelor’s degree in Economics from a Brazilian university. I like to think that I am a mix of all the countries that influenced my life so far.
Until 2001, my favorite place in the United States was San Francisco, but after meeting my husband in 2000 and visiting Monterey for the first time (he is a local who was teaching in Brazil at the time), my preference quickly shifted to the gorgeous Monterey area, which like Sao Paulo, has also been uniquely influenced by an array of different cultures.
In the summer of 2020, my husband was offered a position at a prestigious school in the area, so we decided to leave Brazil and move back to the Monterey Peninsula with our two Brazilian cats. We have enjoyed reconnecting with the area and being close to friends and family.
My hobbies are cooking, traveling, walking, gardening and continuing exploring Monterey.