Featured in Voyage Ohio Magazine... Reflecting on the Journey of Foodie in the Cincy
If you've been keeping up with my blog over the past year, you probably know that outside of my day job as a Marketing Director, I spend a lot of my free time chasing great food. Through my foodie Instagram, @foodieinthecincy, I've shared hundreds of restaurant recommendations, coffee shops, craft cocktails, hidden gems, and travel adventures over the past several years.
Recently, I had the incredible honor of being featured by Voyage Ohio Magazine as one of their Rising Stars.
It's always a little surreal to be the one answering the questions instead of asking them... and the interview gave me the opportunity to reflect on how this creative side project began, how much it's grown, and what it's taught me along the way.
Looking Back at Where It All Started...
Long before Foodie in the Cincy existed, I had a food blog called A Dash of Passion. I loved experimenting in the kitchen and sharing recipes, but over time I realized something...
I was even more passionate about discovering great food than creating it.
That realization eventually led me to Instagram, where Foodie in the Cincy was born.
What started as a fun way to document memorable meals has grown into something so much bigger. Today, it's become a place where I can share restaurants worth trying, coffee shops worth visiting, destinations worth traveling to, and hidden gems that deserve a little extra attention.
One thing, however, has never changed... Phone eats first. 🍽️📸
More Than Just Food Photography
People often joke that I must eat out every day... While that isn't entirely true (okay... maybe it's true some weeks 😂), Foodie in the Cincy has never just been about posting pretty pictures. For me, it's about helping people discover places they may have otherwise overlooked.
Whether it's a neighborhood coffee shop, a new cocktail bar, a family-owned restaurant, or a destination that deserves a spot on your travel itinerary, I love introducing people to businesses they're excited to experience.
One of my favorite messages to receive is:
"We tried this because of your recommendation, and it was amazing."
Knowing I've helped someone discover their new favorite restaurant never gets old.
How Foodie in the Cincy Has Influenced My Career
One of the questions Voyage Ohio asked was about balancing creativity with my career, and it made me realize just how connected the two have become.
Foodie in the Cincy has always been my creative playground.
It's where I've been able to experiment with photography, storytelling, branding, social media strategy, and content creation... many of the same skills I use every day working with clients.
Looking back, this passion project has made me a better marketer, a stronger designer, and a more thoughtful storyteller.
It's proof that sometimes the projects you start simply because they're fun end up teaching you the most.
Being Recognized by Voyage Ohio
Being featured as one of Voyage Ohio's Rising Stars was an honor I truly wasn't expecting.
The conversation wasn't really about restaurant recommendations...
It was about creativity. Building something from scratch. Taking risks.
Staying authentic. And continuing to create because you genuinely enjoy it.
Reading the finished interview reminded me that while social media often focuses on numbers, the most meaningful part has always been the community behind it... The people who've followed along for years. The people who send me restaurant recommendations. The people who trust my reviews when they're planning date night, looking for brunch, or traveling somewhere new.
That's what makes Foodie in the Cincy so rewarding.
Thank You
If you've followed Foodie in the Cincy over the years... thank you.
Whether you've liked a post, shared one of my recommendations, commented, tagged me in a new restaurant opening, or simply enjoyed following along, you've helped make this community what it is today and I'm incredibly grateful for every bit of support.
If you'd like to read the full Voyage Ohio interview, you can check it out here.
And if you aren't already following along, you can find me on Instagram at @foodieinthecincy, where I'll continue sharing restaurant recommendations, travel finds, coffee shops, craft cocktails, and plenty of meals that had to wait just a few extra minutes before anyone was allowed to dig in. 😉
Until next bite...
Cheers,
-CC
Comments