To Our Fans and Friends – Present and Future

 A Word From Taste of Temecula’s Owner Ian Blafer

I have never really addressed the community through Taste of Temecula, mainly it has been by way of  Facebook posts or an occasional Facebook rant.  I just felt now is a good time to say some words about how I feel about our valley.  I admit that for many years  my knowledge of anything Temecula was based on the sign located off the 15 freeway which was a landmark at the time, one that reminded me that now might be a good time for a bathroom break and a Snickers bar as I made my way from Ventura to San Diego for a weekend getaway or visiting family in Palm Springs. I never imagined that this would be a place of future business for me and I must say that everyday I am amazed at this place I now call home.

Every once and a while I like to go back through the Taste of Temecula archives reading and revisiting articles from a group of people, who when I was first introduced had me at hello. Their sheer passion and organic love of this valley was not only refreshing, it was utterly amazing! Their labor of love and deep rooted sincerity about sharing this great place shined in every post, article and feature and is what I believe to have been the springboard for Taste of Temecula’s success as it went from blog to a popular Online Social Magazine. What was truly amazing as the way this community embraced TOT and how quickly many locals became engaged as many of them became regulars and our fans base started to grow.

Many of you made us part of your lifestyle as we became a valued resource for the community giving them the need to know info on whats happening from new restaurants, upcoming concerts, special tastings and who is serving what and where all the while helping the small independent business owner.  The man responsible, Trasier Schuyler  gave people a community call to action getting people proactive and motivated to go and experience, visit and most of the time revisit our family of local businesses. Foodies and wine lovers quickly embraced TOT as we made up a group of  fun loving people who enjoyed Eating, Drinking & Being Merry. What makes this story inspirational is it was you the community that really built this and the writers and photographers (all not for profit – other than the occasional comps and free wine) pretty much just gave the valley what it wanted and needed.

Those that made this a success were people like Tom Plant whose readiness and Johnny on the spot attitude (always with camera) captured many great moments, Carl Karavts amazing food photography that made you hit print, grab your keys and go directly to the restaurant saying “I would like one of these please” and everyone has adored foodie Corie Maue as her recipes even when posted today get many likes and comments that almost always have the word amazing in it. There are so many locals that helped contribute – thank you! You had a hand in making something grand while enhancing peoples lives and strengthening this community on many levels. Why am I writing this article, now?  Simple, at first I did not get the inner peace many had yet slowly noticed slight changes as big city thinking started slipping away and yes I started to fall  in love with all that makes this place unique. I must admit, like many  I came here with dollar signs in my eyes but as of seven or eight months ago there was a slight change of heart that has matured like a fine wine and keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. ‘I would like to personally thank Ms Linda Kissam  who said that she had been all over the world and why doesn’t Old Town Temecula have a walking tour. At first it sounded good but I did not give it much thought.  After chewing on it or rather it chewing on me it just seemed to be a great way for  Taste of Temecula to adhere to their Mantra “Keep It Local”  yet at the same time have a  fresh audience to engage. Thanks to Linda we are very proud to present to you the  Perfect Pairing Tours as we wanted to offer a tour that we can all be proud of as a company and as a community. Our goal is to create awareness  helping  our valley flourish and become the destination spot it was born to be.  With so many unclear as to all  our valley has to offer we feel it is our duty to educate them as many are  missing out on so much. This is the perfect place to go to get away from it all and we plan on making that known to a wider broader audience.

That is our goal and our mission as we welcome our guests to take one of the “Tastiest Tours In Town.” We are working to ensure that everyone leaves here loving the tour,  the town and can not help but share their experience with friends and family. After hosting the Daily Pairing,  I completely believe that running a daily deal is  far better than being the host of one, especially in a community that already has tons of self promotion by many locals. So we are branching out and  stretching our advertising legs never forgetting where we came from and how we came to be! It was you our fans and friends. We are  grateful – I am grateful and I feel a great responsibility to the town and to all of the Old Town Merchants to make this tour the best it can be and this will be the premiere  food and wine lovers  tour that many will remember and not soon forget! That being said let me reintroduce myself – I am Ian Blafer not from the big city but the county and I will be helping to make life tastier for all.