Secret Lives: From Philanthropy To Five-Star Feasts
For Tara Gilts, a love of storytelling and a passion for community come together in a unique way – through food. By day, she serves as an OhioHealth Foundation philanthropy advisor, supporting OhioHealth Berger Hospital, OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital and OhioHealth Southeastern Medical Center. But by night, she explores the dining scene of southeast Ohio, sharing her experiences through a restaurant review column in the Athens County Independent.
Gilts’ love of dining out began as a family tradition. The nights her father taught classes at Bowling Green State University, her mother took Gilts and her siblings out to eat. Years later, when Gilts began teaching an evening healthcare administration course as an adjunct instructor at Ohio University, she revived the tradition, treating herself to a meal at a different restaurant after every class.
What started as social media posts for friends and family about each dining experience, evolved into something more. Encouraged by her background in journalism, Gilts reached out to the Athens County Independent, and just like that, ‘Table for Tara’ was born. Now one year in, she continues to highlight the local dining scene, one five-star review at a time.
"I use the term 'reviewer' very loosely because every restaurant gets five stars,” Gilts said. “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 is intentional, countering the misconception that rural Ohio lacks quality dining options. Through her articles, she not only introduces readers to new restaurants but also shares the stories of the passionate people behind them.
“What I have found is that everybody has a story,” she said. “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.”
Gilts curates a list of restaurants to explore each year. She aims for variety, not just in cuisine and price point, but in the perspectives she brings. Whether eating solo or bringing her six-year-old son along for the experience, she makes sure to sample the restaurant in different ways before writing about it.
Gilts said her column is a way to engage with her community in a meaningful way. Occasionally, she’s even recognized for her work. “I was in a work meeting with someone, and when I introduced myself, she said, ‘Oh, I actually read your column!’” Gilts said. “It was unexpected but made my day.”
Explore her column at athensindependent.com/table-for-tara/.
Secret Lives is an ongoing series that shares the unusual past careers and unique hobbies of OhioHealth associates, physicians and volunteers.
