Like many Angelenos in the entertainment industry, Sacramento native Brian Rodda redirected his career during the pandemic. Before lockdown, he worked in entertainment public relations, hosted a Hollywood red carpet web series and ran a marketing consultancy. While staying in Carmel, a friend suggested he try a new role as a culinary tour guide as travel cautiously resumed, and Rodda accepted the challenge.
© Elyse Glickman
He soon discovered a genuine passion for food and local history, and his years as an actor and host made him a natural at engaging guests. That experience brought him back to Los Angeles, where he launched LA Food Tours. His tours are built to offer more than stylish bites and cocktails; they combine curated tastings with storytelling about the people, places and cultural context behind the food.
The Beverly Hills Food, Film & Fashion tour runs Friday through Sunday from 10:45 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m. and lasts roughly 3.5 hours. The itinerary typically includes five well-regarded culinary partners (these may include Cantina Frida, Grill on the Alley, KITH Treats, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, Erewhon Market and others; locations are subject to change). Alongside tastings, Rodda highlights iconic film locations, notable architectural landmarks and fashion-related sites, finishing with a toast at a boutique or fashion house on Rodeo Drive.
© Elyse Glickman
As chief experience officer, Rodda opens the tour at the Beverly Hills Civic Center, a spot that immediately introduces visitors to the area’s history. Between tasting stops, he leads guests to points of interest such as the Beverly Hills Visitor Center, the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Two Rodeo Drive and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel—famous as a key location in the 1989 film Pretty Woman. He points out where memorable scenes from various movies were filmed and shares historical anecdotes that enrich the culinary experience.
The company also offers a VIP Access Experience, which features higher-end restaurants and bespoke private tours designed for corporate groups and special occasions. These private options allow for customized itineraries and additional upscale tastings for guests seeking a more exclusive experience.
Looking ahead, LA Food Tours is developing a new offering called Brianna’s Drag Food Experience, set to debut in spring 2024. The tour will explore West Hollywood’s evolving upscale dining scene while celebrating the neighborhood’s vibrant Russian and LGBTQIA+ history. Brianna, an engaging onstage personality and popular TikTok foodie influencer, will guide guests through the area, blending culinary recommendations with stories about the community’s cultural legacy.
Rodda’s background in entertainment and marketing, combined with a passion for food and storytelling, has shaped LA Food Tours into an experience that aims to satisfy both the palate and curiosity. By pairing tastings with film lore, architectural context and fashion highlights, the tours provide a layered perspective on Beverly Hills and surrounding neighborhoods—appealing to food lovers, film buffs and visitors who want more than a typical sightseeing stroll.