Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Schmidt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alexandra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began cooking at the age of 5. Cooking was in my veins. I never even fathomed it as a career until my mom suggested it. The more I dived into the culinary industry, the deeper the love became. I went from wanting to be a chef, to being consumed by the art of plating. Although I still thoroughly adore those aspects, food writing gives me the biggest rush while simultaneously calming me with poetic words about cuisine. Food is not only nourishment to our taste buds but to our bodily health and even our soul. On my Instagram @hiddenfoodgems, I dive into the vastness of restaurants and emerge with what I deem awe-worthy. Besides writing passionate descriptions, it is my goal to include nutritional content and historical details. What we eat is more spiritually powerful then I think people realize, spotlight needs to be shown on it. As for including our past, how a plate came to composition is incredibly fascinating. Not just America, but the entire world is a melting pot. I am now marketing my self as a food writer and reviewer. Although I have no journalism background and have only just begun on my literary quest, I have been published in Dine in the City online magazine. Below is the link, so you can get a sense of what I am trying to convey. Enjoy!
https://keepdining.com/entomatadas-trying-out-some-new-tex-mex/
Has it been a smooth road?
My belly may always be full but my mind is unsatisfied. The abundance of obstacles in this career can be stressful, to say the least. The major ones include; hours on hours spent sifting through unreliable resources on the internet. Not being taken seriously as a writer and restaurant critic. Although I have been cooking for 17 years and completed my culinary degree because I don’t have an English or perhaps creative writing background it is as if I am seen unfit for this role. My grammar may need some work but I have favorable insights, a unique perspective and an intense desire to learn. The other larger challenge is money. Eating out frequently is costly. What makes the price increase, even more, is in order to remain relevant on social media I should be posting something daily. The issue is I don’t like every place I encounter, which leaves me on a constant hunt to find decadent places. I have to spend a lot in order to become successful in the future. It may be fun indulging but the sound of cha-ching can send me into a frenzy.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am the sole proprietor of Hidden Food Gems. Hidden Food Gems is about promoting exquisite restaurants while being informative on health and cultural aspects behind the dish. I am known for how I serenade the food I’m eating with heart-wrenching words. I am extremely proud of my self for constantly striving to know more vocabulary, history and for gaining the majority of my followers without marketing. What sets me apart from other food bloggers is incorporating the price, name of the item, tagging the restaurant and giving their location for easy access. Don’t get me wrong these food bloggers post beautiful pictures but it all looks the same and without the tagging of the restaurant or location you do not get immediate satisfaction. The subject matter of my posts is also riveting as opposed to just posting a picture and saying its yummy with a bunch of emojis. Food is the gateway. Everyone is interested in it so why not create stimulating content?
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I could not ask for a better city to go on my appetite conquests. The people here are a never-ending stream of different stories full of their personal heritage. Houston is blessed to have them and especially lucky to have the ones open up edible enlightenments. Through the sharing of food, animosity will cease to exist. Houston is an award-winning place for any aspiring restaurant critic to critique. Truly the possibilities are beautifully bountiful.
Pricing:
- Reviews: 15c a word
- Food article: $50 an hr
Contact Info:
- Website: hiddengems42000@wordpress.com
- Email: hiddengems42000@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hiddenfoodgems
Image Credit:
@hiddenfoodgems
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
