DUBLIN, Ga. — Dublin, Georgia isn't necessarily known for international cuisines.
However, one 19-year-old is hoping to change that.
Lily Baird just opened up her own food truck, Lily's World Tour.
"I find it so fun to learn about other cultures, and I want everyone to have a taste of it," she said.
She's already balancing a full plate as a model and realtor, but she said she's always felt called to cooking and feeding others.
"I obviously love cooking, but I get so much joy from seeing other people try my food," Baird said.
Baird said her mom, Michelle Baird, has been a big inspiration and role model because she started her own brokerage company.
Her calling to cook and inspiration from her mom led her to buying a food truck, and developing a menu of dishes she's tried on her travels.
"To try food, that's the main reason I travel anywhere," Baird said. "So this past one I went to Miami and I had an empanada. I was like oh my gosh! I wanna make this. And I can remember flavors pretty well and pair it with seasonings and that's how I go about everything."
Along with empanadas, she's also cooking up things like butter chicken tacos, bahn mi tacos, and poutine. Everything is made from scratch, including her sauces.
She took the approach of combining international foods with foods that people already know and love, like Korean barbeque tacos.
Mathew Wholrabe said it's a great addition to Dublin's food scene.
"Having international foods really gives ya a little extra variety in town," he said.
Lily's World Tour menu dishes
Wholrabe said Dublin's got some great restaurants, but it's lacking some cuisines you can find in bigger cities.
"Pretty much anywhere you go is standard burgers, steak, chicken," he said.
Baird wants to change that, starting with her food truck.
Her next goal is to open up her own restaurants in Dublin, and introduce the town to even more international cooking. Baird said she grew up in the kitchen, and can't wait to grow her career in the culinary industry.
"I do love every restaurant in Dublin. They do a great job. I just wanted more variety," Baird said.
Lily's World Tour will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 402 Industrial Boulevard.
