Tara Gilts combines her passion for storytelling and community involvement through her work in philanthropy and food. During the day, she serves as a philanthropy advisor at OhioHealth Foundation, supporting several hospitals. In the evenings, she delves into southeast Ohio's dining scene, sharing her experiences in a restaurant review column for the Athens County Independent.
Gilts' interest in dining began as a family tradition when her father taught classes at Bowling Green State University. Her mother would take Gilts and her siblings out to eat on those nights. This tradition continued when Gilts started teaching an evening healthcare administration course at Ohio University. After each class, she treated herself to meals at different restaurants.
Initially sharing these experiences on social media with friends and family, Gilts was encouraged by her journalism background to reach out to the Athens County Independent. This led to the creation of 'Table for Tara,' where she has been highlighting local dining spots for over a year.
"I use the term 'reviewer' very loosely because every restaurant gets five stars,” said Gilts. “I look for the positive in every outing. It’s really about sharing the experience and finding joy in it. Whether that’s the food, the atmosphere or the people behind it.”
Her approach challenges misconceptions about rural Ohio's dining options by introducing readers to new restaurants and sharing stories of passionate individuals behind them.
“What I have found is that everybody has a story,” she stated. “I'll learn about the owner and their background. Everybody in the restaurant industry has so much passion for what they do, their teams and the experiences they're creating for people.”
Each year, Gilts curates a list of restaurants to explore, aiming for variety in cuisine, price point, and perspectives shared. She often dines solo or with her six-year-old son before writing about each establishment.
Gilts views her column as a meaningful way to engage with her community and occasionally receives recognition for her work. “I was in a work meeting with someone, and when I introduced myself, she said, ‘Oh, I actually read your column!’” recalled Gilts. “It was unexpected but made my day.”
Readers can explore more of her culinary adventures at athensindependent.com/table-for-tara/.