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My parents are visiting this weekend! While it’s not the first time they’ll be visiting me in Florida, it is the first time they’ll be visiting the house that Matt and I bought over the summer! I cannot wait to show them our home and to take them to some of my favorite places in Saint Pete. It’s funny because I’ve lived in the same city for a couple of years now but since this most recent move, I feel like I’m in a totally new place even though the house is a measly 7.3 miles away from our old apartment. Since we moved in August, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring my city – by bike, by foot, and by car – because you notice different things depending on how you’re getting around. Because of this, I am excited extra excited to show my parents around and introduce them to the new places and things that I’ve discovered since their last trip. With the holiday season upon us, I’m sure that many of you are getting ready to host visitors as well and new home or not, you’ll likely be planning some ways to entertain them, right?

If you’re anything like me, you overwhelm yourself with ideas, especially when you’re excited. It’s important to reel yourself in a bit and be realistic with plans. There are far too many restaurants, parks, shops, and events to show my parents in the three days they will be staying with me so I did some research, took a few deep breaths, and made a plan that won’t exhaust everybody. Here’s 4 ways how:

1. Build in Rest: If you were traveling somewhere, would you want to go directly from plane/train/automobile to activity? Maybe, but you’d probably prefer to drop off your luggage, wash up, and take a beat first. Don’t book any activity or reservation for the first hour or two after your guests arrive. Let them collect themselves first. You’ll be happy about the down time too because you’ve most likely spent a ton of time preparing your home for their visit. You both deserve a break
2. Make Reservations: I don’t know about your family, but in my family, our favorite part of traveling is the food. If you want to share your new favorite restaurant with your guests, make a reservation. There is nothing like showing up starving and learning that you need to wait two hours for a table. If the restaurant doesn’t take reservations, ask what the best day and time to arrive would be to avoid a long wait.
3. Research Events: If you have guests visiting over a weekend or around the holidays, there are probably a TON of things to do from special concerts to sales and pop ups. Do some research ahead of time and figure out what exactly is going on and when. Every time I skip this step, my guests and I waste so much time trying to make a plan.
4. Go Unique: Every city has something special about it. What do you love most about your city that you’ve never experienced before? For me, it’s an event called First Friday that only takes place on, you guessed it, the first Friday night of every month. The city shuts down an entire city block, sets up a stage, and invites local bands to perform while the bars and restaurants offer up special food and drink deals. Think of something that your guests have probably never experienced before and be sure to show them that!

Hosting is fun, especially when you have guests travel from far away. Harness your excitement of showing them around and come up with a plan that will keep everybody happy.
What is the one thing you HAVE to show all of your guests in your home city?

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Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

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