Madison Eats Destination Culinary Tours
Culinary Vacation
Sitka, Alaska Food and Wine Tour
Tour Dates/Pricing: TBD For 2021
“Due to the latest travel advisories, Sitka Salmon Shares has decided to postpone the 2020 Sitka Food + Wine Trip. We hope to offer a 2021 trip to see our home in Sitka, Alaska and will share details as they become available.”
Sitka Salmon Shares’ welcomes you to our home: Sitka, Baranof Island, and the 17-million acre Tongass National Forest. Our week- long tour highlights the natural beauty and resource abundance of this wild place, and with use of multiple senses. We will explore, learn about, eat, and drink (literally and figuratively) what Southeast Alaska has to offer, while being guided by renowned academics, passionate conservationists, multi-generational fishermen, talented chefs, expert sommeliers and professional guides.
To quote John Muir: “Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” Join us for a one-of-a-kind curated Alaskan food and wine experience.
Sitka, Alaska – 7 nights in the Westmark Hotel
This expertly curated food and wine experience is based out of Sitka Alaska on Baranof Island. This enchanting island is just over 1600 square miles and provides an incredible opportunity to learn about Alaskan nature, culture and cuisine with experienced and passionate tour leaders.
Highlights
In depth wine pairing classes with sommelier Andrea Hillsey
Learn the trade of Sitka’s commercial fishermen with hands-on fishing excursions
Memorial Day picnic with wild caught seafood and an unparalleled view
Hike the coastal rainforest
Tlingit Ancestry and Culture
Sitka history tour
Local ecology tour into Tongass National Forest
Foraging excursion with local expert
Cooking classes focused on sustainable seafood
Seafood cooking tips and wine pairing suggestions
Gallery
Itinerary
Food Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Saturday, May 23rd
Arrive on Baranof Island, Alaska ready to indulge and explore. After a long travel day, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner, a wine tasting and a chance to get to know your fellow travelers before resting up for our incredible week of curated food, culture, nature and wine experiences.
Lodging
Westmark
Meals Included
Dinner
Day 2: Sunday, May 24th
After a delicious breakfast at Beak restaurant, we will get to know the community of Sitka and the cultural history with a tour of the city and the Sitka Historical Park by Dr. Nic Mink, CEO and Co-Founder of Sitka Salmon Shares.
After a light lunch we will head to Dove Island by boat, just a 10 minute boat ride where we will enjoy our first seafood and wine dinner, expertly paired by sommelier Andrea Hillsey.
History of Sitka tour with Nic (4hrs)
Opening Wine/Cocktails/Dinner at Dove Island
Pairing sparkling wine with seafood
Lodging
Westmark
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Monday, May 25th
After breakfast we’ll embark on a Memorial Day to remember! We’ll head inland to the Tongass National Rainforest for a hike with a local guide where we will learn about Salmon spawning habitat and local ecology of this beautiful ecosystem. After lunch on our own we will head to Halibut Point for an incredible holiday cookout with a view. We’ll forage for ingredients and learn some wine pairing basics.
Recipes provided for your enjoyment when you return home.
Rainforest hike (about 3 miles)
Foraged foods and wine pairing
Memorial Day cookout
Lodging
Westmark
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Tuesday, May 26th
We’re going fishing! We’ll head out of commercial fishing boats to see how it’s done – and try your hand at catching dinner. This 4-hour excursion will give us a taste of what goes into getting your catch onto your plate. After lunch we’ll head to the local bar for a well-earned beer! In the evening we’ll have a very special dinner at one of Sitka’s finest restaurants where they will prepare our catch for dinner. Are you a red wine lover? This evening is for you. Andrea walks us through pairing reds with seafood. Red wine with fish is delish!
Red wine with fish
Excursion
Commercial fishing
*Alternate rain day activities planned
Lodging
Westmark
Meals Included
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Wednesday, May 27th – FREE DAY
Free day! After breakfast enjoy a free day. Explore Sitka on your own, book a spa experience or join any number of local activities. A list of options will be provided and we can help you book! Meet up at the hotel bar at night to tell your tales or we’ll catch up the following day at breakfast.
Lodging
Westmark
MEals Included
Breakfast
Day 6: Thursday, May 28th
After a delicious breakfast at local restaurant Beak, we’ll head out for another fishing excursion. This time we’ll learn how the folks at Sitka use pot traps to responsibly catch crustaceans such as bairdi crabs. What an incredible opportunity to learn first hand about sourcing seafood responsibly! After lunch and a little afternoon r&r we’ll enjoy the fruits of our labor at dinner where local chefs will prepare our catch and Andrea will pair it with Burgundy.
Pot trap fishing
Pairing shellfish with burgundy
Lodging
Westmark
MEals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Friday, May 29th
Relax and enjoy your final morning Sitka before we throw you an exclusive, fun and delicious farewell dinner party. After breakfast you can explore Sitka, do last minute shopping or just relax. After lunch on our own we’ll take a short boat ride to a private island residence where we will enjoy rosé and apéritifs while taking in 360 views of SE Alaska including Baranof Island, Mt. Edgecumbe, and Sitka Sound. That evening we will work through several small courses with a hands on demo led by your co-hosts at Sitka Salmon Shares. Learn basic wine and seafood pairing tips and tricks and tips for cooking your seafood at home. Dinner will emphasize natural wine pairings. Our parting gifts will ensure you can recreate this experience on your own home!
Natural Wine
Farewell dinner party and basic tips and tricks for wine and seafood prep and pairing
Lodging
Westmark
Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Saturday, May 30th
It’s departure day. After breakfast and a debriefing we’ll head to the airport for the journey home.
Departure day
Meals Included
Breakfast
Tour Leaders
Meet Your Tour Leaders!
Otehlia Cassidy
Owner, Guide and Event Host
Otehlia founded Madison Eats Food Tours in 2012, after spending years trying to create her ideal job combining her passion for local food, teaching, dancing, and sustainable development. What emerged is a business connecting people with Madison’s rich local food scene through exceptional food tours and events.
Andrea Hillsey
Andrea Hillsey is originally from Michigan, she played softball at Purdue University and then went on to study hospitality at Florida International University in Miami, FL. In 2010, she worked harvest at Chehalem Winery in the Willamette Valley. She is currently the owner/operator of Square Wine Company, a retail wine shoppe she opened on Madison’s (WI) Capitol Square in 2012. The shoppe is dedicated to selling wines from small, family growers who make honest wines that reflect a sense of place.
Nic Mink
CEO and Co-Founder of Sitka Salmon Shares
Nic Mink is the CEO and Co-Founder of Sitka Salmon Shares, a direct-to-consumer seafood company based in Sitka, Alaska, and a lecturer in the Environmental Studies Department at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.
Marsh Skeele
Marsh Skeele began fishing as a child, helping on his dad’s boat long before he owned his own. After finishing college, he quickly realized that not only was fishing his greatest skill, it was also his passion. In 2010, Marsh set to work establishing the second generation of Skeele fishermen.
Deposits/Payments
Deposits/Payments
Deposits/Payments: Cost is $5500/person double occupancy. To hold your spot on the tour a $500 non-refundable deposit is required. This can be paid by check (address below). Any single supplement charge should also be included with the deposit. You will get an email reminder when payment is due.
Final non-refundable payment is due 30 days before the course/tour in US dollars. You can also choose to send full payment in advance of the course/tour.
Single supplement: $750 ensures a private room.
Refunds and adjustments: There will be no refunds or adjustments for unused portion of the tour.
Madison Eats Culinary Vacation Booking Form
Policies and Procedures
Tour Policies and Procedures
Cancellation and Refund: If Madison Eats Food Tours/Sitka Salmon, LLC cancels the tour, all fees paid to by guest will be refunded. We strongly encourage trip insurance in case of unforeseen events that result in the cancellation of your trip.
Photography release: The tour participants permits Madison Eats Food Tours, LLC to photographs, films, images, text, testimonials of participants for its own commercial use without compensation to participants.
Any dispute related to these terms and conditions or the program itself, directly or indirectly shall be settled solely in the courts of Madison, WI. In such litigation, Wisconsin law will apply.
*Does not include round trip airfare to Sitka, airport taxes, personal expenses, travel insurance. Includes meals, alcoholic beverages and excursions as specified in itinerary as well as all tips to staff and guides for included excursions.
By registering, you agree to our Policies & Procedures including our Waiver & Liability Release policy.