From real estate to plates

Paula Silva, a real estate agent at William Raveis Rhode Island & Southeastern Massachusetts, recently founded the Rhode Island Red Food Tours in Newport. The culinary tours, named after the Rhode Island Red Chicken, takes participants to a handful of locally owned (and often locally sourced) restaurants to taste seasonal samples. The organization also offers private tours, which have become a hit for bachelor/bachelorette parties, business groups and more.

What made you decide to create Rhode Island Red Food Tours?

I think it’s important for us to recognize how incredibly fortunate we are to have the history, arts and food culture we have here. So although it is mainly a Food Tour, I have made a concerted effort to also include these elements of our culture. In addition, I am a big supporter of shopping local small businesses, and this tour shines a light on several creative independent restaurant partners and brings people back to them.

How does the tour connect Newport’s culinary scene with its history?

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We spend 3-3.5 hours together eating, walking and talking through a historic neighborhood. We talk not only about the regional food and influencers but we connect it to the chefs, restaurant owners, the history of the building, street and neighborhood. To me, it’s like having a rolling dinner conversation with friends.

Has your past experience in sales/marketing and real estate helped?

For one, you need to be a people person to do both. Also as a Realtor, you are always looking for ways to get the word out. Second, for me I’ve always loved finding new creative ways of marketing and combining my personal interests to showing homes and their best assets. You need to think outside the box to be in any kind of marketing. Thirdly, as a Realtor you need to keep your finger on the pulse of neighborhood trends so you can share this with your clients. •

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