Q&A with Sylvia Emmenegger-McCoy,
Founder, ‘Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tours, Pittsburgh
What inspired you to create ‘Burgh Bits and Bites?
I was born in Pittsburgh to a Swiss father and German mother. In the early ’90s, I headed to Switzerland to explore my family’s European roots. While living and working in the old country, I took time to explore the continent far and wide, from Alsatian vineyards and the French countryside to Greek beaches and Italian islands and many other places in between. Food and wine, naturally, were a major part of my experiences.
Intent on then rediscovering Pittsburgh, I returned home and launched ‘Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tours, inspired to share with others my love of Pittsburgh and its many hidden culinary and historic treasures.
How has Pittsburgh’s F&B story changed since you began?
The scene has significantly evolved over the years, resulting in recognition by Zagat’s last year as the No. 1 food city in America. With James Beard-nominated chefs like Justin Severino of Cure and Morcilla restaurants opening up in and around the city, we are attracting food enthusiasts from around the world. Along with visiting Pittsburgh’s museums and cultural highlights, they are eating their way through our city with great delight!
What group programs do you offer?
We currently offer tours year-round, six days a week for groups of six to 60 in six Pittsburgh neighborhoods/communities: The Strip District, Bloomfield/Little Italy, Lawrenceville, North Side, South Side and Brookline. We also offer custom corporate tours and teambuilding events. Departing from various locations, tours last from two to two-and-a-half hours.
We love introducing visitors to people in the community, like Joe Chahine, who sells authentic Mediterranean specialties at his Pitaland in Brookline. His inspiring story of coming to the U.S. from Lebanon and then overcoming hardships before eventually opening his own store exemplifies our mission of connecting people to communities through food stories.