People often ask me how I got into food writing and photography, and the truth is that I’ve always known that I was good at two things: telling stories and cooking food. I started working in restaurants when I was 15 years old and studied journalism at university. I tried to write about other things, but it always came back to food. I’m a biscuit baking minstrel, and that’s just fine by me. Now I have the privilege of helping food-based businesses tell their story.All biscuits aside, I’m a social media specialist with a background in journalism and digital marketing. I’ve worked independently with local restaurants, breweries and products such as L’Abattoir, Slow Hand Brewing, and Glory Juice. I also gained agency experience at SMC Communications, an award-winning PR agency specializing in restaurants and hospitality.I’ve worked with outlets like CBC Radio One, BC Business, The Vancouver Sun, Edible Vancouver, and Metro News (may it rest in peace). I also did a stint in Ghana with Journalists for Human Rights, where I supported local journalists in developing radio documentaries on social issues. When I returned to Vancouver, I did a little soul searching (mid-twenties crisis, if you will) and moved into communications, taking on clients such as Central City Foundation and the Vancouver School Board. Then one day, I got an opportunity that changed my life.I was called upon to write a weekly restaurant column for Metro News, and through that, I found my calling. For two years, I explored new restaurants popping up in Vancouver – reporting back to the public what’s good and what could be, how to put this, improved. I realized that I was writing about cultural movements, the impact of gentrification, and industry trends. I learned that food is personal and deeply political. Around that time, I received requests to help foodie folks with their social media. Words were always my weapon, but in an ever-increasing visual world, my photos were grabbing attention. I decided to pursue digital marketing professionally and went back to add a Fundamentals in Digital Marketing Certificate to my arsenal.When Metro News was wrapping up, I decided to launch my own online magazine called Small Batch Vancouver. Through my exploration of local food, I realized there wasn’t a dedicated platform for local food producers who are the backbone of our food culture. From concept to completion, Small Batch is the embodiment of all the skills I have developed over the years and is becoming an increasingly important source of information for local foodies.