Tastemaker Talk

Allea Grummert has worked with content creators across all niches, and she believes that when it comes to the creator economy, food creators are the honors students. What does that mean, exactly? On one hand, we're tenacious, organized, and resilient. But we also tend to push ourselves toward burnout and hold tightly to some unrealistic expectations for our work. Listen, food creators contain multitudes!Tune in to today's episode for Allea's expert perspective on what food creators are doing really well, and where they might be able to seek support. Because you don't have to do it all, and you certainly don't have to do it alone. Show NotesCheck out Allea's websiteBook a free 15-minute coaching call here!Tune in to Allea's podcastFollow Allea on InstagramStream “Substack vs. Kit” from the Happy Subscribers podcastDownload Allea's content calendarFollow Tilly the Cat on IGRegister for TC 2026!

Today we're sitting down with Emily Baksa to discuss how telling clearer, more authentic stories can help your content stand out in an AI-driven world. Emily is a copywriter and marketing strategist who helps food content creators gain creative and financial freedom so they keep loving what they do.Hit play to explore Emily's insights on content rewriting and how to use AI tools for efficiency, not to replace your unique humanity. Emily also shares her tips for embracing change, branding with intentionality, and "de-optimizing" your old content.Show NotesGet Emily's Cooking for Humans course here! $20 off with code: TASTEMAKERCheck out Emily's websiteFollow Emily on IGMeet Emily IRL at Tastemaker Conf 2026!

We are SO excited to chat with the formidable Joanie Simon, aka The Bite Shot, today! Press play to learn about Joanie's journey into food photography, including her transition from hobby to professional photographer. Today's Big Themes™️ uncover the importance of making mistakes, maintaining authenticity, and finding community in creative work. We also talk candidly about the business side of Joanie's photography practice, including her approach to cookbook projects, workload management, and balancing family life with professional pursuits.Show NotesRead Joanies book recs: The Art of Possibility and Hook PointFollow Joanie on IG or find her at thebiteshot.comGet your Tastemaker 2026 tickets rn!

Matt Molen is CEO of Email Crush and a top educator in email marketing, and today we're lucky enough to pick his brain about why email marketing matters for bloggers and content creators.Get your notebook ready, because this one is FULL of practical advice you can use immediately, including: Strategies for building and nurturing email lists through welcome sequences and consistent content deliveryHow to automate your systems for bigger impactMatt's FAVORITE subject line (that you can borrow)And so much more!Show Notes:Matt's FREE ROI CALCULATOREmail Matt to continue the convoFollow Matt on IGBuy your Tastemaker Conference 2026 ticket to keep learning!

On today's episode, Toni Okamoto chats with us about her food blogging and content creation journey building Plant-Based on a Budget. Throughout the convo Toni shares her strategies for building a loyal community via personal connections and budget-friendly content. Tune in to hear Toni's favorite ways to connect with her audience, which also happen to impact her ability to monetize and grow her reach.Show Links:Check out Toni's blogFollow Toni on IGListen to music from today's chat in our playlist!Get your TC 2026 ticket!

By popular demand, we are sitting down with Casey Markee to cover all of your most pressing SEO questions! In this episode Casey shares extensive insights about Google's AI mode transition and its impact on content creation, emphasizing the importance of high-quality, unique content. We also discuss technical strategies to help bloggers adapt to future changes in the digital landscape.Show Notes: ⁠Schedule an Audit with Casey (booking for August)⁠Google’s AI-Powered SERPs: Strategies for recipe, travel, and lifestyle bloggersHow Evolving Search Results Impact Content Creators (TopHatChats)Niche blogging in the new Google reality: 5 strategies to thrive or dieFind Casey at mediawyse.com, or connect in the Food Blogger Pro and Food Blogger's Central Facebook groupsJoin us for TC 2026 in Los Angeles!

Today we sit down as a complete Tastemaker Team--all 4 of us! 🤭 We clarify our roles, chat about how communication and flexibility is a key tenant to our success, and narrow in on our respective zones of genius. If you're itching for a look behind the scenes, wondering how to foster community and camaraderie with your own small team, or just want to giggle with us--press play!Show Links:Abbey's fave creator: The New YorkerChandice's fave creator: chefbae and isabelleheikensLeslie's fave creators: diasdechuvaseca and aysat_officielDaphne's fave creators: ssense and lydialoo12Join us at Tastemaker 2026 in Los Angeles!

We are so excited to be chatting with our friend Izzah Cheema on today's episode! Izzah is the brilliant mind behind Tea for Turmeric, a trusted source for South Asian recipes with over half a million monthly views on less than 130 recipes.We dig into Izzah's journey as a food blogger, the importance of authenticity in branding, and strategies for maintaining motivation and preventing burnout in the creator economy. Press play and let Izzah's warmth and wisdom brighten your day!Show Links:Follow Izzah on InstagramGet your Tastemaker 2026 ticket!

You might have heard of this week's guest when you saw her create Bad Bunny's birthday cake? Or maybe you saw her on Netflix's "Is it Cake?" Or maybe you just know and love her from Sugar Geek Show, where you follow along for her amazing cakes AND amazing energy.That's right: today we're chatting with renowned pastry chef, Liz Marek! Liz was generous enough to take time out of a dreamy Moroccan vacation to share her journey from being an uncertain teenager to becoming a successful cake artist and content creator. We also yapped about the balance between creativity and profitability in their respective fields, and how to stop sacrificing the joy of making art for the algorithm alone. Show Links:Get your armature wire here 😜Get Sugar Geek Fondant hereFollow Sugar Geek Show on InstagramAlso find her @ SugarGeekShow on all socialsJoin us at Tastemaker 2026!

Today we're joined by Chef Evelyn Williams of ​Gourmet Grad School​! Evelyn was kind enough to discuss her journey in the food industry with us, starting from the top. Nothing is off-limits today: from the economy and the importance of diversifying income to Evelyn's transition into culinary entrepreneurship, we cover it all.In this episode, Evelyn shares her strategies for avoiding burnout and identifying your unique strengths, plus her favorite ingredients, books, and dream collaborators.P.S. Gourmet Grad School is expanding! Keep your eyes on their Signature Program for exciting updates. 👀 Show Links:Follow Chef Evelyn on InstagramFollow along with Gourmet Grad SchoolGet your TC 2026 ticket!

We promised a follow-up convo, and this week we're delivering! Today Chandice sits down with Danielle from Liss Legal to provide an overview of recipe copyright laws and their application to food content creation.If your copyright curiosity has recently been piqued, hit play to learn about legal protections for recipes and fair use guidelines in the USA. Danielle also touches on common copyright myths and shares her candid advice for what to do if you find yourself in tricky copyright situations.Show Links:Get in touch with Danielle at Liss LegalDownload one of Danielle's Businessese templates Join us in Los Angeles for TC 2026!

This week we're sitting down with our longtime friend, the brilliant Haley Janicek from Kit! We love to dive into the big picture of the creator economy with Haley, whose chief role on the Kit team involves orchestrating events and experiences aimed at fostering creator growth. Get your notepad ready to capture Haley's strategies for creators to diversify their income streams, including her hottest email marketing tips. This is one you don't wanna miss!Show Links:Follow Haley on InstagramConnect with Haley on LinkedInGet your ticket to Craft + CommerceJoin the Kit Creator NetworkListen to the Nathan Barry Show (Haley's fav podcast)Join us at Tastemaker 2026 LA!

Press play to hear Yumna’s candid thoughts on the importance of crediting others in your niche, her tips for successfully engaging your audience, and how to keep your content relevant and helpful.DISCLAIMER: This episode was recorded May 6, and new information about the controversy has since come to light. We know this is an extremely nuanced topic, and we plan to discuss the details of copyright law and recipe creation in an upcoming episode of Tastemaker Talk.Show Links:Follow Yumna on Instagram (Feel Good Foodie)Send her a DM (she answers all of them personally!) or email her at yumna@feelgoodfoodie.comGet your TC 2026 ticket today!

We are honored to be joined this week by Marta Rivera Diaz of Sense and Edibility, to discuss the ethics of content creation. As food bloggers and content creators, we know that the involvement of loved ones is something all of us have had to reckon with as legislature and culture has shifted over the years. In this convo, we cover it all: the importance of consent and autonomy when involving family members (and particularly minors), how to check in with your conscience and value system, and the way that privilege plays into the conversation. We also touch on the need for self-reflection, accountability, and acknowledging past mistakes, as well as the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in content creation. Links and Further Learning:Shari Franke’s memoir Marta's SocialsX/TwitterPinterestInstagramYoutubeFacebookSense & Edibility WebsiteTastemaker Conference 2026 tickets!

This week on the Tastemaker Talk podcast, we're picking up where we left off. Abbey is opening up about her personal experiences following the pandemic, including a divorce that shaped how she showed up in all aspects of her life–including her business. In this episode, she and Chandice explore the ways in which they have continued to #holdspace for one another throughout these highs and lows, and how the Tastemaker Conference team and community has been a source of joy and support for each of them.P.S. The Tastemaker Birthday Sale is still running for 2 more days!! We’d love to invite you to celebrate with us, and we’re offering $80 off your Tastemaker Conference 2026 ticket. Use the code BDAY80 and keep the party going, available now through April 30.