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Site maintained by Nicole L. Davis |
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Last update : 11/28/2009 |
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The agricultural landscape of southern Illinois, combined with the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, make this a prime location for the culinary traveler. The traditional culinary traveler is someone who visits a destination specifically to partake in food and/or wine related activities. Along with this passion comes that of people and culture…a logical mix. This niche traveler is evolving, however. Now the culinary enthusiast is not only interested in food, wine, and people, she is interested in learning about where the food comes from, who the people are, and the heritage surrounding the destination.
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Food, Fun & Folks is the message we want to send about southern Illinois. We have great traditional food; we have local awarding winning wines; we have hometown festivals; we have southern hospitality; we have what the culinary traveler wants! The southern Illinois tourism industry is in the midst of recreating itself as a culinary destination. It will take relationships across the counties to make this happen…a little cooperation among competitors will make this region stand out. |
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This regional project is being spearheaded by the Carbondale Convention and Tourism Bureau and an advisory committee of culinary-related tourism professionals. |
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There are already many things happening. A regional heritage cookbook, Food Fun & Folks: Stories and recipes from southern Illinois, has been published and is available online through www.sliceofpie.biz. |
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A new quarterly magazine about southern Illinois foodways and foodlore is being published and distributed to potential travelers. New partnerships are being formed all over the region to help build this new brand. In the near future, there will be postcards, recipe cards, notecards, and a variety of events to showcase locally grown and produced food and wine. |
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Southern Illinois already has the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and the Shawnee Hills Orchard Trail. Hitting the trail to southern Illinois will be |
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even more eventful with the six new trails being developed in conjunction with the Food, Fun & Folks project! |
