Pam Laskey – Owner
Maine Foodie Tours represents an amalgam of Pam’s passions. Always up for a great meal, she loves finding new restaurants, learning about up-and-coming chefs, pairing food and wine, gathering fun-loving groups of people together, and of course, as a born educator, sharing her knowledge with others. It has been a ten-year love-fest with the local Maine food scene, learning about dishes indigenous to this region and watching the creative culinary artistry grow in every direction. She is eager to share this information with guests on her tours and train new tour guides on the splendor of it all.
“I have so much respect for the resourcefulness of Mainers,” Pam says. “Whether it’s an old family recipe handed down from generation to generation, or a new way of presenting and serving one of our state’s staple crops, I’m just constantly amazed at the creativity and ingenuity of Maine artisans, cooks, brewers, distillers, bakers and chefs.”
Pam’s new goal in life is to have as much fun as possible, and surround herself with others who also don’t take themselves too seriously. The Maine Foodie Tours venture has been a delightful- and tasty- sojourn into the history and culture of Maine, a state that seems to continually reveal new and delicious offerings to adventurous and fun-loving foodies.
Scott – Portland Tour Guide
A self-professed “foodie”, Scott loves creating delicious meals and drinks in his home kitchen, but can often be found around town searching for the perfect dish and the occasional Manhattan or three.
Originally from Massachusetts, Scott has lived in and around Portland for the last 30 years. Raising a family in Maine has given him a deep appreciation for “The Way Life Should Be” and he is always excited to talk about the things that make living here great: The fresh salty air, the beautiful rocky coastline, and distinctly fascinating people. He most loves the incredible diversity of the food, cocktails, arts scene right here in Maine’s largest city, and enjoys sharing that passion as a tour guide.
When not showing visitors around, Scott is a middle-school history teacher. Other life experiences include bartender, firefighter/EMT, and actor.
Feel free to ask him about his favorite finds and recommendations!
Tyler – Portland Tour Guide
With a background in journalism and a passion for history, Tyler enjoys sifting through the works of those who came before us and exploring the local environs on foot all in an effort to bring together a coherent narrative and context to whichever subject with which he engages. He enjoys passing along his fervor for new information and his “aha” moments to those joining him on his tours or onto his friends and family whether they’d like to hear them or not.
Tyler is a lover of all things music, an obsessive cruciverbalist (it’s a word trust us), player of ultimate frisbee, lover of the hoppiest of beers, an average drummer, traveler, gardener and Simpsons-fanatic.
He and his wife Megan call South Portland their home; find them at Willard Beach tossing a frisbee when you’re in the area.
Marcia – Portland History Tour Guide
Marcia’s passion is to travel. She has enjoyed incredible experiences and exciting adventures in more than 106 countries across all seven continents. She has also had the pleasure of learning more about America by visiting all fifty states.
Being a tour guide is wonderful because she loves to interact with new people, share her stories and knowledge of Maine. She says, “What is most rewarding and fun is helping my guests to experience their new adventures!”
Peter – Kennebunkport Tour Guide
Marlene – Kennebunkport Tour Guide
Having spent the majority of her life in the travel and tourism industry, Marlene finds meeting new people to share her love of her home state of Maine (she’s 13th generation!) is one of her greatest pleasures.
A lover of all things food and having traveled and enjoyed food all over the world, she’s partial to Maine’s incredible offerings of seafood, wild blueberries, fiddleheads, and so much more, especially her very favorite – maple syrup, and enjoys sharing in the harvesting, which can be just as much fun as the eating.
Ray – Portland Tour Guide
Born and raised in New York City, Ray is a historian of photography, with a PhD in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin; he taught college and graduate students for 15 years in Maine, Texas and New York. He loves working outside and introducing people to history directly, from the vestiges of the past found in the landscape, not just in libraries. He has traveled extensively in the Americas and Europe, and has traveled every U.S state but Alaska by motorcycle, as well as a slew of Canadian provinces. Ray is currently also working on a video series exploring lesser-known passages in U.S history and culture by motorcycle. Ray has also worked locally as a park ranger at Fort Williams.
Ray has lived in Portland since 2001. when not guiding tours, Ray plays trumpet with latin dance group and traditional jazz band, restores (and races) vintage motorcycles, and works as a carpenter. He directs the photographic archive of the photographer, Leigh Richmond Miner, the lead photographer at the turn of the century at Hampton Institute in Virginia, a historically black college.
Ray has a keen sense of humor, adventure, and appreciation for irony and off-beat fun; he loves showing people how the present has evolved and revealing deeper structures underlying daily life.
Cathy – Boothbay Tour Guide
Cathy came to Maine a decade ago as a tourist. It did not take long before she was hooked and fell in love with all the wonders of coastal Maine, returning each summer and visiting across the Midcoast. That led to her dreaming of owning the quintessential summer cottage, and after a diligent search, she was fortunate to find it in Boothbay Harbor. She moved from being what the locals call a “summer person” to living here full time in 2019. The opportunity to be a guide with Maine Day Ventures allowed her to bring together her love of people and place. In her free time, she is active in various organizations in the community including the Rotary, Boothbay Regional Health Center, and the Boothbay Region Garden Club. She enjoys hosting family and friends, serving as concierge, and sharing her love and knowledge of the region. Summertime you will most often find her before sunrise in her gardens (“pajama gardening”). Cathy is living her best life on Lobster Cove with her partner Bob and their yellow lab, Raleigh.
James – Portland Tour Guide
I was born and raised in Massachusetts, receiving my degree in Psychology from University of Lowell, where I also studied music. As a vocalist and clarinetist I’ve performed for many years in choral, solo, instrumental and theater venues.
I worked in many areas of the mental health/human services field for over two decades until 2004, when I switched to commercial driving and drove a passenger bus for 8 years. I am a “jack of all trades and master of some,” having worked in diverse capacities, from roller coaster operation to museum work to animal shelter volunteer. I love nature and the outdoors, especially hiking and kayaking. I practice yoga and fine art photography, and I am a self-proclaimed foodie, and a proud Pescatarian. I also make a mean cosmopolitan.
I moved to Maine in 1992 and love all things Portland. It is special here. I thrive on sharing my knowledge and appreciation of our fine City: its scope and diversity, and emergence as a cultural hot spot for our region. Allow me to share my passion and experience with you, and to be filled by yours.
AJ – Portland Tour Guide
Ross – Portland History Tour Guide
Referred to by his family as a “fuzzy foreigner”, Ross grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada, fell in love with a woman from Boston, and has been in Maine raising his family for over 20 years now. He loves Maine and loves his job as a tour guide, both for the interaction with new people it affords him (don’t be surprised to get as many questions as you ask) and the constant exploration he is always making of the many intricate and fascinating links between his adopted state and his homeland. He also loves the hard questions that he gets from his guests that lead him to learn new things. He sings every chance he gets during his tours (jury is still out whether that’s a good thing or not). When he’s not on a tour and it’s not snowy enough for skiing, he can usually be found somewhere in the state neck-deep in the ocean or a lake. In this he considers himself like every other Mainer- the cold water doesn’t bother him, and you’ll find him in shorts well into the winters.
When asked who he would be if he could be anyone in the history of Maine, Ross chose James Bacon Curtis, a peculiar Maine figure who made a million bucks with America’s first chewing gum factory, which was located in the Hub Furniture Store across from Fore-Street Restaurant. Anybody can make money, but how many people invent chewing gum?!
Randy, one of our original guides and a native Maineiac, has had a long and ardent love affair with one of our state’s most delicious agricultural bounties – wild blueberries. He recalls fondly handpicking his first cupful some five decades ago in his hometown of Mexico, Maine. He has remained true to these antioxidant wonders of nature and still enjoys them on a daily basis, blending them into refreshing smoothies or incorporating them into various gourmet recipes.
Since 1974, Randy toured Maine and New England with his original one man, multi-character variety show for small and large theaters, conventions, schools and civic organizations.
After teaching stints with Ringling Brothers, Tri-Star Pictures, The Julliard School of Drama, and Circus of the Stars, Randy founded the Maine Hysterical Society, a comedy trio touted as “the best variety comedy act in New England.” Their portrayals of eccentric Downeast characters and comical songs keep their audiences in stitches. Most recently the group participated in The Humor Project’s 52nd International Conference on The Positive Power of Humor & Creativity, and performed with Lucie Arnaz at Birdland, New York City’s legendary jazz club.
Among his most notable accomplishments, Randy ran in the very popular Beach to Beacon 10k Road Race here in Cape Elizabeth while juggling three balls the entire 6.2 miles. He finished the race in under an hour, and he didn’t drop a ball!
Randy has many favorite restaurants here in Portland and particularly enjoys dining at someplace new every month. He’s absolutely addicted to the Cajeta from Horton’s cheese shop.
Judi- Boothbay Harbor Foodie Tour Guide
Judi was born and raised in Bangor, Maine. As a child, her family had been visiting Boothbay Harbor for as long as she remembers. Judi made her final trip out to Boothbay Harbor when she decided the coastal town would be her new home. As a food guide, it’s no surprise that Judi enjoys cooking for herself and her mother. She loves to try new things in the kitchen and abroad. She even snacked on deep-fried scorpion and tartunalta when she visited her daughter in China!
There is so much that Judi loves about being a food tour guide in Boothbay. Meeting new people is high on her list, she loves to learn about her guests while sharing her knowledge and love for the region. Judi tends to have plenty in common with her guests, making their time together quite enjoyable.
When she’s not showing guests around Boothbay’s restaurant scene, Judi spends her time out in nature either exercising or just appreciating Maine’s beauty. She is definitely an outdoorswoman, so much that she has hiked Mount Katahdin five times now!
When asked what famous Mainer she would be, she chose Abbie Burgess. Abbie and her family were the caretakers of Matinicus Rock Light in the 1800’s. Abbie saved her family during a terrible storm and looked after her family while her father was gone for 25 days!
Photo: Judi on the left with her Mother, Estelle, on the right.
Sue- Bar Harbor Foodie and History Guide
Sue is a Maine native who spent her early days growing up in Old Town, Maine with sister Pam Laskey, Owner of Maine Foodie Tours. After working in the insurance industry for almost 30 years, Sue joined the Maine Foodie team and has loved every moment!
As a food and history guide in the famous coastal town of Bar Harbor. Sue shares her rich knowledge of the town’s past in conjunction with their growing restaurant scene. In particular, Sue says that the most joyous part of being a tour guide is the look on her guests’ faces as they experience their Maine “firsts”. Their first bite into a fresh Maine lobster roll, or seeing the ocean for the first time to name a few. Sometimes, it is the simple things like a belly laugh after a funny anecdote about the town.
In her spare time, Sue can be found in her kitchen, sneaking vegetables into meals for her unsuspecting family. The cauliflower in Mac n’ Cheese was not so discreet! Her family may be full of foodies, but they never know what they are getting into. Other times, she is sipping on her favorite cocktail, Hippy Juice, from Galyn’s in Bar Harbor. A delicious combination of blueberry kombucha, blueberry vodka, and Maine blueberries.
When asked if she could be any Mainer, Sue chose Doris Twitchell-Allen, a highly esteemed Psychologist from Old Town Maine. In fact, Sue was the first person from Maine to be a counselor at her camp called “Children’s International Summer Village”.
Cynthia- Portland and Kennebunk Foodie and History Tours, Kennebunk Doggy Tours
Meet Cynthia, a self-proclaimed Maineiac hailing from Limington, Maine. Cynthia grew up in Cumberland, Maine and at the time, she was ready to leave town. She went down to Massachusetts to study International Relations at Tufts University. After college, she found herself back in Maine. Today, Cynthia is a french teacher. Beyond being fluent in French, she also speaks fluent Japanese, along with being proficient in Spanish.
She is as well rounded in languages as she is in food and history in Portland and Kennebunk. Meeting all the new people each time, sharing the history, and talking about her beloved state are all among the things that Cynthia enjoys about being a guide. She loves meeting all of your furry friends too!
On days that she is not parading around town with a pack of four-legged friends, she can be found reading books or getting some movement in with yoga, zumba, or a hike. She is also involved in the local music and theatre scene. Or perhaps she is at her favorite restaurant, Sapporo in Portland. The authentic Japanese cuisine is reminiscent of when she lived in Japan.
Her childhood interest in politics brought her to the conclusion that if she could be any person from Maine history she would be Margaret Chase Smith. This Maine native was the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress, and the first female Maine representative.
Barbara – Kennebunkport Tour Guide
Barbara and her husband Bob have lived in the Kennebunk area for over 30 years, where they raised their three children. It was the love of her community that motivated Barbara to launch a second career as a tour guide after she retired as a hospital administrator several years ago. She especially enjoys meeting people from “away” and all walks of life, and showing off all that Kennebunkport has to offer, including beautiful sites, great food and a fascinating history.
When Barbara is not conducting tours, she can be seen biking around town, hiking with her Golden Retriever (Gia), or enjoying her passions of yoga, tennis, and golf. She has traveled extensively around the world but is always grateful to come home and appreciate “the way life should be” in Maine!
Julie – Kennebunkport Tour Guide
Beth – Kennebunkport Tour Guide
Beth has lived in Maine for over 30 years. She is originally from Wisconsin but has found the Maine coast to be her happy place. She loves all the activities summer in the Kennebunks offers: hiking, tennis, beach days, walking her rescue dog, reading, kayaking, and enjoying great local restaurants. She is an avid traveler herself. Beth was a speech/language pathologist for 25 years, then worked in a legal office, and now enjoys being a guide. She feels it is always a pleasure to meet people from away and show off our beautiful town, history, and food!
Tim – Portland Tour Guide
Timothy is a Portland native, born on State street at Mercy hospital and still calls the peninsula his home. He is well traveled however and has spent time in most places here in the states, most recently living in Savannah, Georgia where he was working on developing his artistic practice in alternative photographic processing as well as guiding spooky walking tours through the historic down town. With a background in graphic design and textiles Timothy has been part of the Portland art scene for the last 10 years and has an extensive knowledge of the culture and happening here in town. Also as someone who frequents the nightlife scene here often, Timothy is well read on the best bars, drink specials and not so known in between spots throughout the city. He loves the water and most days when he is not guiding tours or in his studio you are likely to find him on his sailboat in the bay or sitting on one of the docks.
You can see some of his latest works featuring Maine products at ramblemoredesign.co.
Meredith Lubking – Operations Manager
Meredith has lived up and down the east coast her whole life but now calls Portland, Maine home. Her most favorite way to spend a weekend is hiking the beaches and trails of Maine with her rescue pups, Tom Brady and Emme – and, of course, her spouse! She loves trying all new restaurants and bars on the scene and hosting dinner parties in her home.