A Seattle native, I’ve performed in over 50 local productions, 3 original one man shows and several notable regional commercials. To supplement my joy of acting, I was a server and bartender for 15 years. It was this exposure to chefs, food, wine, beer, and craft cocktails that opened my palate and gave me an insatiable curiosity to explore “the finer things.” Being a food tour guide feels like the perfect marriage between my two backgrounds and I’m constantly “researching” by eating out, and regularly enjoy Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, French, Italian, Ethiopian and Indian cuisine, as well as a good burger and pizza.

I also enjoy travel, tennis, chess, constant book-reading and film-watching, having a cat on my lap, and dancing around my well-decorated living room with my cordless headphones to my substantial music collection.

Born and raised in the eastside suburbs of Seattle, I have always been proud to be from the Pacific Northwest. The funny thing is, I had to move away from home for a while to really understand that. I studied musical theatre in college and with stars in my eyes moved to New York City after graduating. It is there that I became a professional foodie! For six years I led food tours of Greenwich Village. All along, my heart was home in the Northwest, so two years ago I made the move back to Seattle.

There are few things I miss about New York, but I do find myself missing my Greenwich Village community. I would walk down Bleecker Street in the morning before my tour and I felt like “Belle” in the opening of Beauty and the Beast, waving to the butcher and the baker. I know I am comparing my life to a Disney movie, but that really is the way it was. I have rediscovered that in Pike Place Market, where the motto is “Meet the Producer.” Today, I am thrilled to work as a food tour guide again, but this time in my favorite city!

Born and raised in Idaho, I longed for more diversity, the ocean, and not having to drive everywhere. Moving to Seattle to go to Cornish College of the Arts was very exciting. Especially with water and lush greenery everywhere! After a good run in Seattle, I lived in LA for a time and also NYC for a short stint. I worked as a birthday clown in the Tri-State area, did a few regional and national commercials in Seattle, LA and Chicago, and was a massage therapist and a Reiki teacher in LA. No matter where I was, I longed to make my way back to Seattle, and it is so good to be back in a place I consider home. The thing that lights my fire the most is learning the various ways we can find homeostasis. Everyone is their own healer, and it’s beautiful to see the way people nourish themselves. The one thing we all have in common is we all eat food (unless you’re the type of yogi that lives in a cave and survives from the energy of the sun and the nectar of the third eye), and we all love DELICIOUS food. I’m so excited to be a tour guide and share the excitement of something we all have in common. When I’m not working or eating, I’m meditating, writing letters to my late cat, or trying to remember my Duolingo streak.

Betsy spent her formative years in Princeton, NJ. She has lived in PA, IL, NY, VA, Scotland, and Spain before landing in Seattle in search of coffee and other people who hide from the sun. She spent years working as a barista, an artisanal baker and ice cream maker, an actor, a costume designer, and a Registered Nurse. 

She spends a lot of time conducting research on Seattle's tastiest food, which includes hunting down her current favorite food trucks. She is a fearless culinary adventurer, known to trek all over the city in search of the best boba tea!

Occasionally you can find her working in a family practice clinic, hanging out in Elliot Bay Book Company, watching films at SIFF, practicing yoga, or having affirmations shouted at her at SoulCycle. SHe loves cooking with local ingredients and planning her next meal. Her favorite things about Pike Place Market are finding out everything that's in season, meeting the amazing humans that work in the Market, and watching fish fly. 

I have happily resided in Seattle since 1987 but, like many others here, am a transplant. My family moved a lot growing up so I have lived in every state on the West Coast including Alaska and Hawaii and have learned to appreciate many different cuisines and cultures. One of the things I love about Seattle is that I'm able to enjoy the same variety today. I enjoy walking this lovely city of ours, finding new gems, and sampling Happy Hours along the way. I love sharing my new finds with friends and family and now with guests through Savor Seattle.

You can also find me exploring the world of fine art jewelry in my cozy and colorful studio apartment at one of my three workstations. I work with polymer in my kitchen, have a metalsmithing bench in my hallway, and solder n my hall closet. Much of my jewelry is inspired by forms found in mature and you can find it at Seattle Art Museum's gift shop, local galleries, and on etsy.com. Get a sneak peek of what's on my benches, my creative process, and fresh food and cocktail discoveries on Instagram: @sarahwilbanks 

I have spent the majority of my life living in three amazing places: my hometown of Chicago, and my adopted hometowns of New York City and Seattle. In these cities, I have had the opportunity to work in top-notch bars and restaurants, participate in community sustained agriculture and gardens, and volunteer at after-school culinary arts programs for children; exploring along the way the particular alchemy that occurs when food and drink bring us all together and opens our hearts.

Once again, I find myself back in the Emerald City, rekindling my passion for the fresh flavors of the Pacific Northwest, the landscape and even the weather. When I am not boasting about the fruits of the region, you can find me painting, cooking, hiking, and discovering just how I can be of service to others.