How to Find Food Writing Inspiration at Home
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My favorite writing break is either sitting in a cafe with a cup of coffee and doing nothing, or trying a new restaurant in town. Even in the calmest spaces, food gathering creates a buzz that’s prime for inspiration.
But what do you do if going out isn’t an option? How do you use your writing breaks well when you can’t jet off to wine country for a weekend?
You don’t have to leave the house to add fuel to your writing. With these three additions to your creative routine, you’ll have a constant flow of ideas that will feel like you just got back from a trip around the world.
Take a Class
Curious about how to make almond croissants or need to perfect your paella? Grab a seat at an online cooking class.
Want to brush up on your skills or receive individual attention? America’s Test Kitchen Cooking School is what you’re looking for. With over 300 courses to choose from, you’ll have a steady stream of resources to come back to again.
If you’re in the mood for intimate learning from the likes of Alice Waters and Thomas Keller, Masterclass is saving a seat for you. From gardening to Mexican cooking, you’ll find a class that not only piques your interest but will grow your confidence in the kitchen.
There’s always more to learn, and even if you can’t get to an in-person class, you can expand your knowledge with experts in your own kitchen.
Buy a Gift Box
One Christmas, I sent my boss Beecher’s flagship cheese, and I decided food gifts were the gift I should keep on giving — to others and myself.
Food writing allows you the opportunity to eat your way through cities and neighborhoods, but if you can’t get out, bring the food to you.
A lot of restaurants and shops have included nationwide shipping for their products, so you can get my favorite cookies from Levain Bakery in NYC sent straight to your door. (But don’t take my word for it. I’ve been told by more than one foodie friend I’ve sent there, that they’re the best cookies they’ve ever had.)
Want a variety of food experiences? Grab a subscription (or a single box) with Try the World where they’ll send you a curated selection of foods from around the globe.
Even if you can’t be in some of your favorite places, you can have a little taste right where you are.
Explore Other Food Traditions
One of my favorite writing breaks is to read outside of the genre I’m currently writing.
And for food writing, it means eating outside of my genre.
Maybe, you take a tour of East L.A. with Roy Choi and then make his Pork Belly Stuffed Pupusas or sit a spell with Suzanne Pollak and Lee Manigalt as they guide you through hosting etiquette and why you should always keep frozen appetizers on hand.
Spend some time on GoodReads in the cookbook section. With so many genres and subgenres, there’s an endless amount of traditions you can find. Some are as specific as fika, the Swedish coffee break tradition, or as wide as the intersection between African, Asian and African-American cuisine.
Diving into how other people approach food will open your eyes to how different and alike we all are and add some new tricks to your kitchen tool belt.
Stay Curious
Whether it’s cooking from the same handful of books or sticking to the same creative routine, it’s easy to be in a rut and not even know it. But if you feel your writing is uninspired or hard to even approach, try one of these three at-home ideas to bring a fresh sprig of mint to your book. Because sometimes, stepping away is the best way to write forward.
