Walk and Eat Through Spain with Margit Sperling
Margit is the founder and guide of Walk and Eat Spain food tours.
Margit is a passionate food lover & the founder of Walk and Eat Spain. These intimate food tours were created out of a love for Spain and a love for people. Now, her work serves as a way to support small businesses in her neighborhood and for visitors to experience Spain as a local. As with any business, there are difficulties to overcome, but, for Margit, the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
Hi Margit! Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m originally from Seattle and have been in Madrid since 2007. I first came to Spain in 2000 for a college study abroad year in Granada. As soon as I arrived in Granada, I was hooked on Spain. I’m a passionate home cook and love having access to Madrid’s great markets and market culture. I love exploring Spanish villages and I especially love getting to meet the producers behind Spain culinary treasures.
How did you get started as a local food tour guide?
I started as a guide working for a great food tour company in Madrid. I think the original ad I answered was something like “Love food, love people, love Spain, come work with us” That’s pretty much me. I worked with them for about 4 years and then decided to strike out on my own with Walk and Eat Spain in April, 2019.
What do you love most about your work?
I love when someone says to me during a tour “This was the best the best meal we’ve had in Spain” or “We never would have found this place if you hadn’t taken us”. The opportunity to share all that I’ve learned and experienced during my own Spain journey with visitors to Madrid is so special. Also, people who do food tours are super nice. It’s like the Julia Child quote: “People who love to eat are always the best people.” Since I do my tours in my neighborhood, I also really love getting to support the small business in central Madrid. The relationships I have with the vedors I work with are very important to me. I shop at the market where I run my morning tours and go out for dinner or drinks at the bars I feature on my Tapas and Wine Tour. It’s a wonderful community and ultimately rewarding when bar or shop owners text me to stay one of my guests just stopped by for dinner or to buy a bottle of wine or to pick up some foodie souvenirs to take home.
What is the most challenging part of your work?
Work/life balance. I love doing the tours and meeting the wonderful people who take my tours. That said, doing great tours takes A LOT of energy. Sometimes I come home on a Friday night and am so tired I can barely move. I also want to make sure that every tour is perfect for the guests. I overthink and overprepare. But I guess that’s what’s necessary.
What are some of your best food recommendations in Madrid?
There are so many!
Madrid markets: Tradtional food stands and lots of great bars and restaurant stands.
For Saturday and Sunday market lunch with friends, I love Mercado Tirso de Molina near Madrid Río, Marcado Vallehermoso in Chamberí and Mercado de la Paz in Barrio Salamanca.
For the most beautiful cheese boards you’ve ever seen, La Carbonera in Conde Duque is a must. (Tell Marcelo the owner, I sent you:)
For extra special tapas, check out La Castela in Barrio Salamanca
For the best “old man bar” in Malasaña (those special Spanish establishments with bright lights, napkins thrown on the floor and bars lined with trays of tapas nibbles) try El Chorrillo, but they only open Monday-Friday so plan accordingly.
What advice would you share with others who are looking to get into your industry?
Do your homework. Offer guests a unique experience that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about.
What is the best part of being a business owner? Where do you like to work?
The best part is doing something I love and being paid to do it. It’s a lot of work but when I get emails from people saying their friends or family did a tour with me and they would like to book when they visit Spain, I know I’m doing something right.
I do all my planning/scheduling/computer work at home. I can also respond to tour request emails and other scheduling issues from my phone (I have an online booking platform) but I prefer to see it on the computer. I have a little office my living room with lots of plants. I stuggle with staying organized so I bought brightly colored file folders to remind me to put things in places I’ll remember. I also use Google Drive. A lot. It changed my life.
Another important part of my work is trying out new places to include on tours and maintaining relationships with vendors. I do a lot of “research”. Research can be having a few cañas (little draft beers) alone at a bar to chat with bartender/owner to see if they would be interested in working with me, trying 5 different dishes at a restaurant to chose what I like best then going back the next night and trying again or just picking up some some ham from the butcher I visit on my tour to see how he’s doing.
And last but not least, tell us where we can find you!
You can find me on the streets of Malasaña… or Walk and Eat Spain, and @walkandeatspain on Instagram and Facebook.
Since the whole world is crazy now, my Instagram is a cooking party these days. I’m sharing videos of what I’m cooking and answering questions about what to make with the ingredients we have at home.
Stay healthy out there!!