Local food tour company adds murder mystery to holiday season

Jeremy Garcia and his wife, Lia Garcia, will host their third annual Murder Until the Mistletoe event starting November 14. The locally owned company, Louisville Food Tours, pairs a detective game with a walking food tour along Whiskey Row. The event runs every Thursday and Friday through December 18.

Participants receive a character assignment and a dossier at the start of the evening. Each group is led by a tour guide who acts as a character while facilitating the night. Garcia, who holds an education degree, said he designed the format based on his interest in board games and roleplaying. He noted that the staff are largely actors who enjoy the spooky elements of the genre.

The tour is structured in rounds, moving guests between different bars and restaurants. A warm-up round helps guests find their character's voice. The final round allows participants to solve the murder case. Garcia said the company adapted traditional murder party game boxes to fit multiple locations and include more dynamic characters and humor.

The company was founded in 2022 by the Garcia couple, who wanted to combine their professional backgrounds in education and travel writing. They specialize in walking food and history tours that showcase the local dining scene. Garcia described the company's goal as telling the story of Louisville one bite at a time.

The holiday tour takes place on Whiskey Row, which the company refers to as Whiskey Snow during the season. Guests are encouraged to wear their ugliest Christmas sweaters. Garcia said the format offers a different experience from standard multi-course holiday dinners. He described the event as a combination of a show, a game, and a meal.

Garcia cited true crime and the aesthetics of Christmas as the inspiration for the event. He joked that the holiday is a good time for friends and family to murder one another. The company offers reservations through its website or by phone at 502-591-6155.