Meet Sophie Minchilli: Italian Food Tour Guide & Travel Creator

Discover the story of Sophie Minchilli, a passionate food tour guide who, alongside her mother, leads immersive culinary tours across Italy. Learn how Sophie’s love for Italian cuisine and culture inspired her to co-found a successful food tour business and the unique experiences that make her tours unforgettable.

Liv Coning

Marketing Lead

Meet Sophie Minchilli: Italian Food Tour Guide & Travel Creator

Sep 05 2024

Meet Sophie Minchilli, a passionate food tour guide who brings Italian cuisine and culture to life.

In this interview, Sophie Minchilli shares how she co-founded her food tour business, her love for Italian cuisine, and offers insights into her experiences as a culinary guide in Italy.

Hi Sophie! Can you kick things off by telling us about your brand, "Sophie Minchilli"? What inspired you to start leading food tours in Italy?

Hi! So I currently co-own and run a food tour business along with my mother Elizabeth Minchilli and sister Emma. It all kind of started by chance, I never thought this could actually be considered a job, let alone become my life career. About 14 years ago my mother started a food blog which then transformed in food tours around the city, which then transformed to me completely taking over the food tours in Rome and us both leading week long food tours across the country.

The food tours I do in Rome and the week-long tours both me and my mom do, are not only food tours, but they're also about the whole culture that surrounds food. Sure I'll take you to my favorite coffee bar to have a coffee, but then we'll talk about what it means for an Italian to sit down and have a coffee, or stand up the counter and have a coffee.

We'll go to a restaurant and eat pasta, but then we'll talk about those ceramic bowls we're eating off of, who makes them, where do they come from? Who still makes ceramics in Italy? So we're talking about food, but we're also talking about everything that surrounds it.

What is it about Italian food that captivates you?

Having grown up here, it’s what I’m used to, so it’s what I crave most and eat on a daily basis. But I think the main reason I love Italian food is because of the importance it gives to the ingredients: it could be a sliced tomato with a drizzle of olive oil and salt in the peak of summer and it will taste like the best thing on earth.

People somehow have this idea that Italian food is very complex and filled with spices, dressings, garlic and onion. But it’s actually very simple and its always about giving space to the main ingredient

You've had so many incredible foodie experiences over the years. Is there one meal or experience that holds a special place in your heart? Why?

I can’t think of one in particular, but a series of meals. Whenever I get invited into someone’s home for a home cooked meal, that ends up being the most memorable one, much more than any restaurant I’ve been to.

Even if that person just ends up giving me a coffee + cookie, or a piece of toasted bread with a piece of cheese, these are always the meals that stick in my mind. It’s definitely the people and the sense of ‘home’ that make it memorable.

Tell us a little about your book, ‘The Sweetness of Doing Nothing’ — what’s it about, and what was its inspiration?

First of all the title translated from the Italian saying ‘Dolce Far Niente’, and to me it defines what the Italian lifestyle is. I feel like Italians have always known how to take things very slowly. And I don’t mean being lazy and doing nothing, because when it seems like they're not doing anything, they're actually doing a lot. Like taking a huge lunch break in the middle of the week, taking Sunday off completely from work, emails, phone calls, and taking walks with their friends and having drinks, playing a game of cards. Just all these little things that seem like you're not doing anything, they're actually doing a lot for their physical and mental health. Basically they know that if you learn to relax, you will be more productive later on in your work and whatever else you have to do.

What advice would you give someone visiting Rome for the first time?

To not over-do it. Don’t try to check off items from a list, you will end up hating the city. Take things slowly, get lost in the alleys and eat 3 gelatos a day. Try and find places far from the main tourist attractions, and book a food tour with me :)

Rome is a very big touristy city, so of course there are many touristy restaurants around the city center. Make sure you either do your research + reservations before your trip, or hire someone to do it for you. Having some of your meals planned and reserved will make it all better + easier.

Sophie Minchilli

Available for hire

Roma (eat + drink)

Welcome to Rome! I know this city can be overwhelming, so I'm here to help! I've divided this guide in various sections (neighbourhood names). These are my favorite places to eat and drink in the Eternal City Please remember it is always best to make reservations while in Rome. If you show up to a restaurant and they are fully booked, they most likely send you away, there is no concept of waiting in line for the next table to free up in Rome (there are some exceptions like most pizza places) Tipping in restaurants is not expected, but it is always very much appreciated! Please remember that tips can only be left in cash so make sure to always have some smaller pieces on hand (it is also preferred when paying for small things like a coffee or water bottle in a bar)

50+ • Business • Car-free • Couples • LGBTQ+ • Family • Groups • Vegetarian • People & Culture • Slow Travel • Foodie

$19.00

4.9

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Finding a place to stay in Rome can be overwhelming, I’m here to help! Here are some of my favorite places in the Eternal city (in areas I love of course!). A mix of budget friendly places and some that are more of a splurge

Free

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What advice would you give someone wanting to become a travel creator and sell their guides on Thatch?

It takes time and patience. Like most things in life, there is no easy shortcut. Really make a plan for your social media, what you are trying to show people, and once you get a public of followers who get to know you and trust you (and will then purchase your guides), it will feel so incredibly rewarding!