From blogging, styling, and podcasting to posting recipe videos on TikTok, the opportunities to attract an audience hungry for food content are abundant—whether you’re working at a cutting-edge media company or right in your own kitchen. Hear from culinary creators and publishers on how to carve out a career path in food media and develop your own recipe for success.
Presented with the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment and SVA Theatre
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
The Center's programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Please note: All those entering SVA Theatre must be fully vaccinated and will be required to show proof of vaccination and government-issued ID upon entrance. “Fully vaccinated” means you have received a complete course of a vaccine, plus a booster shot (if you are eligible), at least 14 days prior. Visitors must wear an acceptable face covering over their nose and mouth at all times while on premises. Please click here for SVA Theatre's current COVID protocols.
PETER J. KIM, HOST, COUNTERJAM; CONTENT STRATEGY LEAD, PINTEREST
Peter oversees U.S. creator strategy at Pinterest, which reaches over 450 million users worldwide. He is the host and creator of Counterjam, distributed across Food52’s network of 24 million readers.
Previously, he led the creation of the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) as its founding director, an institution recognized as a global leader in experiential food education.
He has been featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, NPR, CBS, NBC, and The Wall Street Journal, and has been invited for public speaking and television appearances around the country. He is a member of the African Cuisines Advisory Council of the Culinary Institute of America, as well as a member of the BIPOC Scholarship Committee of the Association for the Study of Food and Society.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Brown, studied law at the University of Pennsylvania, and received Master's degrees from both Sciences Po and the Sorbonne in Paris. He holds a certificate from the French Culinary Institute.
His last meal would be fried chicken, white rice, a runny egg, and his mom’s cucumber kimchi. Follow Peter on Pinterest at @peterjkim and on Instagram at @peter.j.kim.
FARIDEH SADEGHIN, EXECUTIVE CULINARY DIRECTOR, MUNCHIES, VICE
MUNCHIES' Executive Culinary Director Farideh Sadeghin's journey to the kitchen began in college, cooking for herself and friends. An around-the-world plane ticket landed her in New Zealand, leading kayak tours and cooking in a local Italian restaurant, where she was quickly promoted to head chef and remained for four and a half years. In 2012, she returned to the US to work in the Saveur test kitchen, eventually assuming the role of Test Kitchen Director. After four years, she joined the team at MUNCHIES where she oversees all recipe production and hosts "The Cooking Show."
JAYMEE SIRE, HOST, FOOD NETWORK OBSESSED
Jaymee Sire is host of Food Network Obsessed, the official podcast of Food Network. In each episode of Food Network Obsessed, Jaymee sits down with your favorite chefs, food influencers and Food Network personalities to dish on all things delicious in the food world. From exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, first (and worst) jobs in food, to cooking fails and culinary triumphs, no topic is off the menu. Whether you’re a super-fan of Food Network or a super foodie you’re going to want to hear this. Jaymee was previously a sports anchor with ESPN and has appeared as a judge on several Food Network shows, including Beat Bobby Flay and Food Network Star. Sire was also the floor reporter on Iron Chef Showdown and a Food Network Kitchen contributor.
MODERATOR: SYREETA GATES, CHIEF ARCHIVIST & EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, THE GATES PRESERVE; FOUNDER, YO STAY HUNGRY
Creative, art collector, and archivist. Syreeta Gates is the founder of The Gates Preserve, a multimedia experience company committed to archiving and preserving hip hop culture such that it lasts forever. She produces “Yo Stay Hungry” — a live culinary competition that bridges hip hop with food and beverage, and is co-owner of Most Incredible Studio which celebrates and commemorates the artists and moments that continue to elevate and define hip-hop culture - through LEGO. She was also on the United States Season 2 of LEGO Masters as the first Black woman. She has produced 4 short films and Gates' archival work includes research for “The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion” and “A Ballerina's Tale.” Her feature documentary Shaping the Culture, is the history of hip-hop in print from copy machines to tweets. Most recently, Gates teamed up with founder of Professional Black Girl Yaba Blay, author and organizer Tarana Burke, and Karen Good Marable to create #ToMaryWithLove, a multimedia celebration honoring the life and legacy of Mary J. Blige on her 50th birthday.
Syreeta has been featured in Forbes, RedBull, Black Enterprise, and many other outlets. Her work was lauded in Tony Wagner's, “Creating Innovators” and John Schlimm's book, “Stand Up!: 75 Young Activists Who Rock the World, And How You Can, Too!" Gates was also highlighted in Adam Smiley Poswolsky's “The Quarter-Life Breakthrough: Invent Your Own Path, Find Meaningful Work.”
Syreeta holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Youth Culture from Hunter College and a Master’s degree in Moving Image Archiving and Preservation from New York University. A native New Yorker, Syreeta is based in Queens, New York. #QGTM