“I started Fun Belly Food Tours because I wanted to give everybody the chance to eat like a  food critic,” says Carlos Aguilar, the Founder and Executive Producer of Fun Belly Food Tours, a company that provides walking, historical tours through some of Los Angeles’ most delicious  neighborhoods.

Aguilar, a Los Angeles native from the San Gabriel Valley, graduated from Bassett High School and then Occidental College,  where he wrote about food for the student paper. “The Occidental Weekly gave me a chance to explore the food and culture of Northeast Los Angeles, and I’ve been witness to the dynamic changes taking place. I realized that the story of a neighborhood can be uniquely understood through its food.”

While a graduate student in Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Aguilar  received a Durfee Foundation grant to study the intersection of food and friendship in Beijing and Shanghai. “There’s so much more to discuss about food than its taste; as important as that is, preparation and presentation are equally important.  I learned to appreciate this fact in China”

After seminary, Aguilar spent a few years teaching literature, history and philosophy before landing his first TV writing job.  “I wrote and produced award shows, reality shows, talk shows, documentaries and travel shows. Whenever I’d produce a story about an incredible chef or restaurant, I’d select the signature dish for our hosts to sample and we were always treated like VIPs.  I believe that experience should available to everyone.”

On each Fun Belly tour, guests visit 6 establishments in order to enjoy signature and off-menu treats.  Fun Belly offers tours in Eagle Rock and The Claremont Village and each tour is seasoned with stories from local history.

Fun Belly offers public tours every weekend and anybody can join them.  They take place every weekend. They also offer private tours that can be scheduled at any date and time.  A private tour is a great way to celebrate a graduation, engagement or birthday amongst friends and family. Funbelly.com has tour schedules posted.

Aguilar is upbeat about Fun Belly’s prospects because he knows nothing beats eating, learning laughing.  “Come hungry and you’ll leave happy. That’s my promise.