From Travel Writer to Food Writer in Less Than 10 Seconds

Updated: Mar 20th, 2010

If you like to eat, you’re qualified to become a food writer. It’s a great way to break into travel writing. You don’t have to be Chef Gordon Ramsey to critique food. There’s no reason to get a degree from a culinary school. All you have to do is enjoy eating a variety of foods. Make sure you leave room for dessert!

Becoming a food writer means you get to taste many foods. The wider your palate increases your chances of being published. There is no limit to what you can write. Stay away from writing travel articles on the best restaurants or the top 10 list. These will not go over big with editors. Your travel articles will probably be tossed out.

Editors are looking for food writers who can tell readers where to eat. If you’re at a hotel and resort with a posh restaurant, write about the presentation of the food and ambiance of the restaurant. Paint a picture for readers; make them feel that they dined with you.

Food Writer Specialties

  1. Mexican
  2. French
  3. Italian
  4. American
  5. Asian
  6. Exotic

You must have some panache to be a food writer. Describe the table and place setting. What color are the walls? Is the furniture modern or classic? Give readers details so they can envision sitting across from you. Allow them to enjoy your dining experience with you.

As a food writer, telling readers about the “roasted duck with spiced blackberries and balsamic vinegar is not enough. You must play to their senses by describing the smell and taste of the food. What is the aroma of the duck? What color is the sauce? Is it sweet? Is it sour? Sweet and sour? Invite readers to visualize and imagine eating this fine meal.

Food Writer Jobs

  1. Write about restaurants.
  2. Specialize in everything desserts.
  3. Focus on chocolate desserts.
  4. Review foods at hotels and resorts.
  5. Taste the local cuisine offered by street vendors.

Being a food writer can pay off in more ways than one. You could write for newspapers and magazines, either locally or globally. You could also score some free meals and be interviewed on local talk shows.

You have the potential to earn more as a food writer because the writing opportunities are numerous. It doesn’t matter if you eat all over the world or just in your backyard. You have the potential to receive more by-lines by incorporating food into your travel articles. This is a great way to expand the range of your writing.

The next time you visit an exotic location, try the local cuisine. Instead of writing the same type of “destination” travel article, include a review of delicacies. Avoid giving readers of list of foods. Give them an article that they can sink their teeth into and enjoy. Take your travel writing to new heights by writing about food and travel. Bon Appétit!

Rebecca

Have you written travel articles that included reviews of the local cuisine? Would you be interested in becoming a food writer?

About Amandah Blackwell 198 Articles

Amandah Blackwell is a creative, freelance and ghost writer for industries that include but are not limited to the arts & entertainment, travel, publishing, real estate, pets, personal and professional development, and much more.

Amandah's personal writing projects include screenplays, teleplays, YA, non-fiction, short stories, and poetry. 

You can find more of her writing at www.MisticCafe.com, savvywritingcareers.wordpress.com, and www.savvy-writer.com.

You can follow Amandah on Twitter at:  http://twitter.com/savvy_writer

6 Comments

  1. Great article. You can take anything and write about it from a “travel” perspective. For example, if you like fashion, you could write travel articles based on fashion in other countries such as India. Each culture has its own “dress.”

    Of course, you could always write about Paris & Milan…fashion capitals of the world!

  2. OOOooh! I volunteer for THAT assignment!! Anyone want to assign it to me? Pretty please? :)

  3. Great article and web design. What a nice surprise! I totally agree that travel writers can become food writers. Here’s a tip: if you enjoy cruises, you could write about the buffets. You could compare Norwegian, Carnival, Princess, and the other cruise lines. Make sure you work out…

  4. I really enjoyed this post. It would be great to combine food writing and travel writing…I like the redesign of TWE :)

  5. Great post! I love to cook and eat :) I guess there’s no reason that I couldn’t be a food writer, plus I enjoy travel. Next time I travel, I’m gonna write something about the restaurants or pubs I eat at. Thanks!

  6. If you are considering writing about food, realize that food and travel go together. When you travel anywhere, domestic or international, it is a geography lesson. The combination of the various aspects of a culture provide more interesting stories.

    Editors also like articles about festivals–the food, dance, ceremonies.

    The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers was founded because the three topics all do provide a cultural experience you can bring to life.

    Little out of the way places are great to start. For that matter, they are also great to continue featuring. Off the beaten track is a good thing.

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