How I Got Started: Stretchy Pants Food Tours founder Kara Ricciardi

Growing up in an Italian and Spanish family in Brooklyn, I developed a love for cooking early on. I got to cook with my grandparents, aunts and other extended family members. I even took cooking classes starting at 9 years old, and already knew I wanted to go to culinary school. After university, where I met my business partner Ruby, I worked in restaurants and as a Pastry Prep Chef at the Central Park Boathouse. I then attended the French Culinary School in San Francisco and worked with Americore on a farm in Half Moon Bay, teaching kids how to cook farm-to-table meals. My creative spirit led me to work in test kitchens, perfecting cookies, spices and other pantry staples that are likely in your kitchen today. 

While I enjoyed food product development, I missed working with fresh, local ingredients. I pursued an MBA in Global Entrepreneurial Management, which included semesters in San Francisco, Taiwan, and Barcelona. Traveling extensively, visiting over 80 countries and territories, I always sought out the best local food and opportunities to meet locals. Ruby and I often took food tours and loved learning about culture and history through food. This led me to realize that offering interactive experiences like Food Tours and Tastings was most in line with my values.

In 2017, I started Stretchy Pants Food Tours, and Ruby joined as my business partner. We use our business, travel, and culinary expertise to showcase San Francisco’s thrilling food scene. We take people to historical neighborhoods and highlight the city’s diverse population and history. Ruby, a lawyer, also helps with contracts for our private clients, which include tech companies in the Bay Area.

Our tours are authentic and fun, reflecting our guides’ passion for the city. We train our guides well to ensure they offer engaging experiences, leading to 5-star reviews and organic growth. We won the Traveler’s Choice Award on Trip Advisor in 2023 and continue to receive accolades and 5 star reviews. We now offer three public tours weekly and eight private tour experiences for corporate clients and private groups.

We focus on family-owned businesses, including restaurants, bakeries, and bars that are 50-100+ years old, as well as new finds. Our guides also seek out high-quality new options and share their discoveries. They stay connected and share insights, troubleshooting together.


Food has the power to bring people together, foster understanding, and create lasting memories. Promoting small businesses in our community and telling the untold stories of neighborhood entrepreneurs is integral to our mission. 

If you love great food, learning the true historical tales of San Francisco’s oldest neighborhoods and meeting like-minded foodie friends, please join us by signing up for a tour at www.stretchy-pants.com. Visionary Mafia users can use the code Get10Now for 10% off any public tour.