Chocolate infuses the air in Hershey, Pa., where customized experiences include chocolate and wine pairings, chocolate tastings, chef demonstrations, interactive classes and seminars, and more.
An hour south in York County, the “Snack Food Capital of the World,” historic manufacturers of pretzels, potato chips and other snacks such as Snyder’s of Hanover (1909) and Utz Quality Foods (1921) offer factory tours and samples.
At the event-capable Coca-Cola Experience in Atlanta, groups can see the Coca-Cola bottling process, explore the interactive Vault of the Secret Formula, or book the entire 45,000-square-foot facility for seated dinners for 400 guests or cocktail receptions for 1,500.
In St. Louis, the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery offers unique and memorable experiences for groups.
“From tours and beer school to photos with the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales and private events, we offer something for everyone,” says Kendra Quartz, brewery experiences manager for Anheuser-Busch.
Budweiser’s five other breweries, including Houston and Jacksonville, Fla., also offer tours. Other group-capable beer venues include Samuel Adams in Boston; the revived 1870 Anaheim Brewery in the city’s historic Packing District; and San Francisco’s Anchor Steam Brewery, from 1849.
Also in San Francisco, the landmark Ferry Building Marketplace (1898) exemplifies historic food halls around the U.S., and offers space for F&B-themed private events.
Other coordinates include Seattle’s Pike Place Market (1907) and New York City’s Chelsea Market. Housed in a circa-1890s Nabisco bakery complex, this block-long arcade offers tours and private events in the Wine Vault. Inspired by Asian hawker centers, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain’s 100,000-square-foot food hall, taking shape inside historic Pier 57 on the Hudson River in midtown Manhattan, promises to be a foodie destination for the ages.
