Two Gals and a Fork Food Tours was born from the love and connection that comes from sharing a good meal between two friends.

After meeting through work and becoming friends on business trips, Janet Jordan and Gloria Freeman decided to combine their event-planning expertise to create an experience that would feed both the mind and the palate.

"While on a work trip in 2013, we tried a food tour in Seattle and enjoyed the experience so much," Freeman said. "We knew we could use our event-planning experience and bring something like this back home."

In 2014, the pair partnered with Experience Columbia to launch Two Gals and a Fork Food Tours, offering historical food tours in the Vista district of downtown Columbia.

Their success led them to the small town of Newberry in 2016, where they launched the second location for their historical food tours.

From Newberry, the duo connected with Capital City/Lake Murray Country, which asked them to create a 3-hour guided food tour to be featured on the television series, "Anglers and Appetite." In 2018, they partnered with local businesses, including O'Hara's Public House, Alodia's and Private Property, to create Lexington's first and only historical food tour.

Since 2018, "Munching on Main" has partnered with Lexington County Museum Director J.R. Fennell to give guests a lesson on downtown Lexington's history as the group walks between food stops.

In addition to learning about Lexington's history, guests visit five food stops. Depending on restaurant availability, the tour may include Private Property, Keg Cowboy, Nicky's Pizzeria, BoThai Fine Dining, Barrio Tacos, O'Hara's Public House and O'Hara's Bakery.

At each stop, guests enjoy a chef-curated tasting featuring an item from the restaurant's menu.

"Our Lexington restaurant partners have been amazing to work with," Jordan said. "Everyone has been so helpful and accommodating to our groups."

Jordan said the culture among downtown Lexington's businesses and restaurants creates a welcoming family atmosphere that guests appreciate.

"Lexington has a special vibe," she said. "Those restaurants on Main Street have a connection. They all support each other, and they're all friends. It really gives our guests the experience of a hometown with a family feel. We feel like we are a part of their big family."

In addition to historical food tours in Lexington, Newberry and the Vista in Columbia, Two Gals and a Fork also offers private, custom tours for groups of 10 to 14 people. Whether it's a birthday party, reunion, baby shower or corporate event, the pair is ready to put its planning and event-organizing experience to work.

The next Lexington "Munching on Main" tour is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8, beginning at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $55 per person and can be purchased at www.twogalsfoodtours.com.