Food Writer Diaries, vol. 2
Is being TikTok famous a prerequisite for success in food media nowadays?
In food writer and photographer wins for this week, my latest recipe for the Kitchn came out, and I’m so pleased with how it turned out. It’s already gotten glowing reviews and was featured in the Kitchn’s November e-newsletter.
My application for the BU Food Studies MLA program is *so close* to being finished. I’m excited about a pitch I’m working on for Alicia Kennedy’s forthcoming contributor essay series about how the tamale's history relates to my personal wounds of assimilation.
I developed an espresso nutella martini recipe for a local brand, driving traffic to my Substack, and hopefully, getting some new supporters. And a chef at my cooking school asked if I would help photograph her classes in the future, as well as come early to assist with mis and prep.
In losses for this week, I have begun to incessantly worry the only way I’ll ever succeed in this space is if I become TikTok famous. Apparently, publishers will check to see if you have a “following” before agreeing to work with you.
I resent that - deeply.
I wish I could hire a social media manager (maybe my Gen Z sister will do it for me?) because the truth is, I don’t want to figure out how to grow on Instagram or TikTok. I don’t want to create short-form video content with shots of me taking a bite of my food and moaning into the camera. I only want to write, cook, and photograph my art.
But success requires a following. Otherwise, I’m just shouting into the void. I have to learn how to grow and manage the business side of things. Being self-promotional is embarrassing for some reason, but I need to get over that if I want any chance of succeeding.
I feel lost, swimming in a sea of talented writers and recipe developers who seem to have it all figured out already. Sometimes, it feels like the only ones who can truly succeed in this space are the ones who came up in the glory days of the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen. I know that’s not necessarily true, but it is how it often feels.
I wish I could dedicate 100% of my free time to growing my writing and recipe development career, but like most of us, I am bound by the chains of capitalism and need to survive. This is why I accepted Meta’s offer to rejoin their Tech Recruiting team. I start (again…) next month.
A good friend recently advised me to think of the new/old Meta job as a lifeline that will allow me the financial freedom and, therefore, the mental peace needed to create without stressing about bills. She’s totally right.
All I can do is keep going, documenting, learning, and seeing every setback as an opportunity for growth and success. And, of course, celebrating the wins, no matter how small.