Taking a walk with the owner of Monterey Bay Food Tours.

If you spot a large group – a dozen or so – shuffling from one restaurant to the next in downtown Monterey, it just might be Monterey Bay Food Tours. The company was started by Casey Aguilar and she led her first tour nine months ago. Aguilar generally stops at six spots, where guests are treated to small bites and perhaps a beer or glass of wine. Along the way she points out some of the city’s history – “fun historical facts,” she says – with the fascination of a newcomer. That’s because Aguilar moved to the Monterey Peninsula just two years ago from Augusta, Georgia, when her husband took a position at the Defense Language Institute.

Weekly: So where did you get the idea for food tours?

Aguilar: I’ve always enjoyed good food and wine. But my sister-in-law owned a food tour company in Athens (Georgia). That’s where the idea started. I wanted to start a business but had never had the perfect idea. This was the perfect idea.

Don’t you have to be a little crazy to start a small business?

It wasn’t as bad as I thought. This doesn’t have a crazy amount of overhead. I had a mentor through SCORE [supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration] – that was really helpful. Students from CSUMB did the website.

How far do you walk in a week?

Not enough [laughs]. Each tour is about one-and-a-half miles. It’s good for most fitness levels.

Do your tour groups have a favorite?

We end at Venture Gallery in the Portola for wine and cheese. People tell me it’s different to have an art gallery included on a food tour. And starting at the historic store – the Joseph Boston Store – they say that’s unique. And everyone loves ice cream. We stop at Revival.

What’s next?

I want to expand, to New Monterey or Salinas. I’m considering options, maybe adding a cooking class.