Food Writer Careers: 4 Responsibilities of a Food Writer

A food writer pens articles, reviews, and columns about food and restaurants for print publications and digital media outlets. Food writing covers many topics, from cookbooks and restaurant reviews to recipe writing and articles about food industry trends. There are different types of food writer jobs: Food journalists can work as staff writers or freelance writers for the food section of general interest magazines, newspapers, digital media outlets, or food magazines. Some food writers are independent food bloggers who create and write food content for their food blog or podcast.

The average salary for full-time food writers varies depending on skill level, location (New York and Los Angeles are media hubs), and years of experience. Food journalists may choose to follow a career path that leads to editor positions, such as food editor or senior editor.

A food writer covers many subjects in the food and restaurant industries. Here are some of the primary duties of a food writer:

1. 1. Craft food reviews and recipes: Food writers inform readers about good food—where to find it and how to make it. This includes testing and writing recipes, sampling new food products, and covering the best food from different regions and cultures.
2. 2. Cover food trends: Staying on top (or ahead) of the latest food trends is a major component of food writing. Food journalists review the best new kitchen tools for readers and explore new ways to prepare food or innovative strategies for growing and preserving food to promote sustainability.
3. 3. Review restaurants: Many food writers work exclusively as restaurant critics. As a food critic, you interview restaurant owners and write about the food served at new restaurants—assessing the dining experience as a whole, including ambiance, service, and prices.
4. 4. Write books: Food writing may lead to publishing a book about food. Prominent food writers like Julia Child, Jeffrey Steingarten, M.F.K. Fisher, Anthony Bourdain, and Michael Pollan wrote best-selling cookbooks or books about the food industry.

Here are three tips to help you on your path as a food writer:

1. 1. Build your portfolio. Editors at food publications want candidates with experience writing food stories, so creating a portfolio of published work is essential. Excellent writing skills and communication skills are necessary for food writing jobs.
2. 2. Learn about the food industry. Experience in the culinary arts or restaurant industry helps you understand how to make different types of food and gives you valuable insight into how a restaurant’s kitchen operates. Consider taking a job at a restaurant or café to get hands-on food industry experience.
3. 3. Get an education. Receiving your high school diploma or GED and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a field like creative writing, journalism, or communications is not necessary but may increase your chances of landing a job as a food writer. Some food journalists also attend culinary school to get a thorough understanding of how to prepare food.

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