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Food Writing

post #1 of 5
4/2/09 at 1:53am
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I've been a chef for nearly 15 years and absolutely love to teach and educate people about food.

I started writing a blog this year and have discovered that I rather enjoy it. I even take my own photos (it has been a hobby for many years) to illustrate any recipes that I post.

My question is: can anyone point me in the right direction to become a food writer? Is there any advice you can give regarding getting articles published in food magazines?
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post #2 of 5
4/2/09 at 2:11am
I don't work in publishing, but I have a sister who does and is well known in her field. From past conversations with her, I can give you a couple of tips. Try writing an article that you feel would be timely and of general interst and send it to your local paper or magazine. They probably won't pay you for it, but they might publish it and that opens the door for you. If you can establish a relationship as a regular contributor, they will start to pay you. Once you are a paid contributor, you have more leverage for contributing articles to more widely read publications. Good luck.
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post #3 of 5
4/2/09 at 8:22pm
Perhaps start writing some letters to the editor for various foodservice magazines and whatever mag your State Restaurant Assoc. publishes. If it's compelling, they will publish it...and that starts your portfolio.
Write enough...and contribute regularly....eventually you'll get a call asking to join on as a guest editor or writer.


...and write a lot of content for websites like this one here.
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post #4 of 5
4/2/09 at 8:54pm
It seems to me that you already are a food writer. Or do you mean a food critic? Either way, in today's restaurant culture, blogging and food websites are, IMO, more influential than any print media (save books). If you look at employment want-ads for food writers, many, if not most, require blog writing experience. When I look for information about restaurants, chefs, or news about the industry, I go first to the internet. Even the most popular food magazines frequently reference websites or cull from the blogosphere for authors.

If I had the time and the technological savvy to write a blog, I would look for ways to make it accessible to as many readers as possible. You can really build a name for yourself if you develop a following.
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post #5 of 5
4/6/09 at 3:51pm
As others said, you look like you already are a food writer but if you mean professional food writer (as in getting paid), it can be tough. I don't know what the market is like in London but in Chicago, the print medium is dying and is competitive enough.

However, you have some advantages. You have a body of work in your blog which is impressive. You have also been a chef for 15 years. These are your selling points. A lot of food writers don't have the culinary chops that you have but they can write compelling articles or reviews.

Submit your work or ideas to the editors at local papers, food magazines, and do it more than once. Rejection is common in this industry. Also, since you work in the food industry, you may know someone that knows a food writer. Networking tends to be the make or break with careers.

I ended up becoming a barely paid writer by answering an ad for a soccer writing position which enabled me to build a body of work. From there, I was able to land paid writing jobs. It's strictly part-time and not lucrative, but it definitely helped to just put myself out there.

Good luck, but I would say, you already are a food writer. Someone just needs to recognize it and be willing to pay for it.
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