Sponsored by the University of Arizona FORGE, the Tucson City of Gastronomy (TCoG) presents speakers and food demos, every second Thursday, on the business of heritage foods. Drawing on a community-wide network of resources, TCoG speakers will provide information on how to leverage Tucson's global designation as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network to grow food-based businesses in Southern Arizona.

This month's event features Tyler Thorp, Program and Community Manager at Startup Tucson. Tyler developed SoAZ Made, a virtual marketplace for local food artisans, and created websites for local food entrepreneurs. The vision for the SoAZ Made program, in partnership with Visit Tucson, Startup Tucson, and the Tucson City of Gastronomy, is to create a thriving local food economy in Southern Arizona, where local artisans and entrepreneurs can showcase their unique products and experiences to a wider audience. By supporting these businesses, we can help preserve the rich culinary heritage of the region, and promote a stronger sense of community and connection among local consumers.

The goal is to foster a sustainable and equitable food system, where everyone has access to fresh, locally-sourced and locally-made products, and where food entrepreneurs are able to build successful and fulfilling careers doing what they love. SoAZ Made envisions a Southern Arizona where the local food scene is vibrant and diverse, and where consumers are proud to support the artisans and entrepreneurs who make it all possible.

Tyler hold a Master’s degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Arizona and has taught entrepreneurship to agriculture students at the University of Arizona. Tyler has been actively involved in promoting local food entrepreneurship in the community as the program coordinator for Food Forward, the food accelerator program at Startup Tucson.