Feed the Feed: Inside Baltimore’s Food Influencer Scene

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First of all, I want to thank Enid Pratt for everything. We've done six shows
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here in the last couple of years, and I came with a vision to say,
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let's talk about people who people may not know about in the city or in the
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state of Maryland and have a free forum where they can come listen instead of paying.
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Come have free booze and relax. So who doesn't like free booze and hang out
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in a comfortable setting?
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So that was very important for me to do this. And again, the shows have been amazing.
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And tonight, we have a really, really good show. This show has been in the making for almost over a year.
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To get these three all in one room is very, very hard. Again,
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this show is called Feed the Feed.
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Welcome to the No Picks of a Dark Podcast. I'm your host, Aaron Dante.
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Folks, we have a great, great team here tonight. From left to right,
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say your name and your handle. Okay.
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Hi, I am Samantha Stern. My handle is at Baltimore Food Scene.
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Want me to say a little bit more? Okay.
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I have been doing this for about, uh, how many years have we been doing this?
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Like six seven before covid
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and i'm a new mom
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that's so important that i share that so i've
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been like thank you so i have taken a little hiatus from my instagram but i
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am so happy to be back and so i'm like officially back tonight and excited to
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be back with all these fellow foodies and food lovers and thank you guys all
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for being here thank you oh and That's my mom.
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Welcome back, Sam. Thank you. Hi, everybody. My name is Simone.
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I run Charm City Table on social media, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, all of that.
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I started just a little bit before Samantha. We were just talking backstage about how...
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I was at her first event and it was probably like my third event.
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And, you know, we just connected ever since. But, yeah, I started it as a way
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to document my own journey, just exploring Baltimore's food scene.
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I just didn't eat out a whole lot when I was younger. And when I got older and
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got a job in Harbor East, I just discovered that we had so many different types
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of cuisines and foods and restaurants and restaurant style.
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So I just became excited about it. and then it became a way for me to uplift
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the city because we had such,
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you know, I can see the tide turning slowly but surely, but we had such a negative
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perception outside of the city and I saw it as a way to uplift Baltimore.
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So that's really what kept me going and I'm honored to be here at Edunk Pratt
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Library doing this tonight. So thank you all for being here.
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Hey everyone, I am Chris Franzoni. Thank you. And I run the Instagram,
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well, the social media accounts, Eat More, Be More.
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I started about 10 years ago. Yeah, a really long time ago.
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Yes. And then met all of you shortly after. We've been doing this for a really
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long time. So I'm really happy to be back on the stage with these three.
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We've done it a couple times, but it's been a minute since we did.
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And like Simone, I kind of did it to build up the city.
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I saw the reputation that it had when I was in different cities.
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And I said I was from Baltimore. And it was always a negative reaction.
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And I wanted to change that.
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So I just started posting pictures of Crapcakes.
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And here we are. And a little background.
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A little background. We did an interview pre-COVID, all three of us.
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Pre-COVID. And it was at...
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Restaurant that's not around anymore, but it was really cool to meet everybody,
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hang out with everybody, and just get to know everybody on a personal level.
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And one of the coolest things out of two of the guys, we did a really cool show
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with Vice TV, and I brought in foodies. I'm like, I'm not a foodie.
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These guys are the experts. Let me bring experts in. And we ended up doing some
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stuff at Clavel, and we went Cocos.
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Cocos, yes. So we're just going to jump right into it. What's the best crab kick in the city?
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You said it. Let's just go.
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Coco's. Yeah, I think we all agree on this one. That's our unanimous decision. Is there a close second?
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I like Papa's too. No? My dad's.
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Aw. He might be the first. Yeah. But then Coco's. I feel like Coco's is up here.
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And then, yeah, everything else is like second, third. Yeah.
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And if you haven't been to Coco's, folks, you can go there any day of the week and it's packed.
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It's the best crab pick around. Yeah, you can get an 11 ounce gigantic jumbo lump crab cake.
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If you haven't had it, you need to add it to your list. It's so good. Hashtag sponsored.
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But we're not. The post is not paying me. I wish. I wish.
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So let's start at the beginning. What was your very first food post you shared?
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And why did you even decide to post it? I remember mine.
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Mine was the, it was like loaded grits at Waterfront Hotel.
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When I started Charm City Table I was 26 and
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brunch was every single weekend and Waterfront
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Hotel was one of my favorite places it actually made me fall in love with grits
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because my family was a sugar grits family so we always had like the sweet stuff
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so this is my first time having savory grits and I got home and I made shrimp
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and grits and all kinds of crazy stuff afterwards so that was my first post
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I'm glad I made that decision,
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I'm hungry now. Yeah, so good. Okay, so you probably will guess my first post.
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Can you guess it? Your first one? Yeah. Oh, yeah, Lascala. Yeah,
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I knew you would guess it.
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Lascala queen. Yeah, it's just my favorite place. I lived close by,
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and they just treated me like family there.
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And I kind of came up with the idea to start my Instagram sitting at the bar,
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being like, I come here all the time. I take pictures of my food.
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I send them to my friends and family.
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I should just like do this and you know
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there were some big accounts like yours and I was like I'll never
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be like that but I'll just do it and maybe like you
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know I just want to do it anyway I was like the girl always taking pictures
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of everything and so I just did it and I remember I think it was about lobster
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regina maybe oh god if you don't know what that is you have to go eat lobster
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regina they both know I've made you both go with me there yeah we should go
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to la scala let's do it And they have great espresso martinis.
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But anyways, that's where I really got started. And that was like my big post.
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And then I was like, oh, people are listening. And then Nino,
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who's the owner, who is an amazing, amazing person, he was like,
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Sam, people are coming in and showing me your picture.
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And I was like, oh, wait, what? Like, this works. So he was excited.
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I was excited. And I just was like, all right, I'm going to keep doing this.
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Yeah. I actually looked mine up the other day, which took a long time to scroll.
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So I have almost 4,000 posts since I started. Yeah.
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And it was a Costa's crabs.
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Still a favorite. I think they're the best crabs. Yeah, that's on brand for
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you. I feel like you post them.
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Yeah. I love them. I mean, we've been going with my family for decades.
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Was there a moment when you realized this wasn't just a hobby anymore?
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Yes.
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When you quit your job. Yeah, so yeah, that is true.
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I think I'm probably the only one up here who does this kind of full time.
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So yeah, 2022 is when I went full time. So I think, yeah, I was pretty serious
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about it then. But when I knew that it could be serious was during COVID around 2020, 2021.
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I was on Twitter very heavily with Charm City Table and just sharing the food that I was tasting.
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And things were opening and closing because of COVID. And I was at home all day working from home.
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So I was able to keep tabs on who was opening, who was closing,
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who pivoted to takeout. and was sharing that with my audience as well as kind
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of defending Baltimore on social media platforms. So that kind of became a strong part of my brand.
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I feel like Twitter is definitely where I found my perspective.
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I was eating out and enjoying it, but I think there's when I started saying,
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okay, yeah, I'm going to go full pro Baltimore with this and I'm going to keep
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sharing the food from my honest perspective.
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You know, if I liked it, I liked it. If I loved it, I'll say that.
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And if I didn't, I'll tell you what I thought was wrong with it.
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And that was around, yeah, that was around COVID when we were locked in the house.
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I think we were talking about this a little bit backstage, is that when,
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like a decade ago, when restaurants were opening, they would have events where
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there would be a media event where all the media would come.
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They try all the food. They bring everything out. It would be like reporters.
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People wrote for Baltimore Magazine, the Baltimore Sun, all these places.
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And I started getting invites to these events with actual people in the media
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and actual journalists and writers. And I think when that happened,
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I was kind of like, oh, wow, this is legit.
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They didn't love it so much and didn't really take it serious.
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I think they were looking at social media and saying, you know,
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this is not going to take off. You're not serious people.
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You know, we do this as our careers, as our professions, and then kind of switched a little bit.
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I feel like Simone and I entered a little bit like right after that,
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where like restaurants started to realize like, oh, we need to bring the social folks.
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We can't just invite like the news stations and the reporters anymore.
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Like we need to bring the whole new group of people to share with their platform.
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So I feel like right after that is when we started. And I agree.
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I was invited to this event at a restaurant that's sadly not open anymore. And you were there.
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And I was like so nervous and so excited, but I was so appreciative to be invited.
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And I think at the time I probably only had a couple thousand followers, but it was something.
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And I was going to help this restaurant and I was going to show I was just excited
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about it. So yeah, that's definitely for me the same when we started to get invited.
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But it's still kind of a hobby for me. You know, I love it. And I love bringing
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Baltimore to like, I love sharing what I do.
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Like, I just love finding things that I love and sharing what I love with other people.
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But definitely still full-time marketing director at an investment firm.
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So I do everything I can to balance my time.
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But I really care about this. So I don't want to let it go.
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And like, that's why I'm here tonight. So I'm back.
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You're back baby yeah and it kind of gives i mean yeah go ahead and it gives it.
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I mean i will tell you you guys i mean it's a little shout out to my friend in the front row,
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every time the oreos have something when you when oreos do the food tasting
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and they invite you guys to it i'm always like all right when am i going to
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eat this year and i'm always in because i'm more invested into what you guys
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are talking about than actually the news are you the oreos person,
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I'm asking for the Tupac bobblehead.
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Four. Four of them. Yes. All of us up here.
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But even like you guys can invite to those type of events, whereas the Oreos
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or the Ravens always look forward to it because they're like,
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when I go to the stadium, I know what I'm going to eat.
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And you guys always give an honest opinion. Like you don't really tear anybody
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down. You're like, it was all right. And that's what I know. Okay.
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This is not the item right here. It was good, you know. But,
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you know, how do you guys straddle that line when some restaurant invites you
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there and it's like, this was not it?
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How do you because because we're looking to you as like people to tell us,
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hey, this is not it. Don't is, you know, how do you do that?
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I think, well, at this point, I think we probably all have a general feel of
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like what restaurants are going to be good and which ones aren't going to be good.
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So you can avoid it politely by saying you're busy and then saying,
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you know, we'll reach out in the future when we're available.
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But if it's not good, then just don't say anything negative about it.
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I just won't post because when you talk negatively about these places,
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it doesn't really help anyone.
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It doesn't help the restaurant. It doesn't help us. It doesn't help just the
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negativity about Baltimore in general.
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And a lot of times these restaurant owners and the chefs and everyone working
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there are putting their blood, sweat and tears into these businesses that they're
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trying to build. And I just don't think it's right to go in when someone's working
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that hard because we know how difficult of an industry is, especially now.
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I don't think it's right to go in and tear them down when they're not doing
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anything wrong except trying their hardest and trying to bring Baltimore up
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and trying to create a best, a great product.
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Yeah i agree i don't think we have like we have that much more to add because
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i think we all three do that i mean we all follow each other we all talk all
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the time and i think we all take the same approach like there's it's not going
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to do any good for me to share the things that i like really didn't love or
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like and and post it in a negative way i just try to like,
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maybe find the one or two things that i really liked and.
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I hype things a lot. And so you can kind of get a vibe when I'm just really
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trying to showcase a place. And maybe it was like a bad night.
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Sometimes places have bad nights, bad days.
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So it's better just not to say anything at this point. But I know it's a hard
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line because people are looking to us for like the good and the bad.
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But it's just like, we're doing this for fun.
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So we're going to stay positive. I feel like for me, I do try to.
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You're more honest than me.
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You sometimes will share. I do try to keep in mind that, you know, it's a mix.
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It's all the things that I love. I love, and that's why I'm passionate about
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this. I love the small business, small restaurant scene.
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I love the artistry of the chefs, but I also love the everyday people who respect
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dining and enjoy dining out.
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So I want to honor all of those folks that I'm talking to.
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So I would never get on there and just make
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a video saying this was disgusting how could they like that's
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to me is tearing down but if I going through
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like a list of dishes if you read my caption I'll just share my thoughts on
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the food so if I thought something was too salty I'll say it was too salty for
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me if I thought it was you know it just was missing something I you know I won't
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give my own opinion I'll just say what I think you know what I think it was
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missing for me I won't tell them what to add or whatever,
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but I think people understand that I'm respectful about it. So they do take it seriously.
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Like I had a restaurant recently. They changed their bread because I said that
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the bread was like not right.
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And so they went and got a new vendor and it is it's better.
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It's good. Yeah. I wish places would ask me more.
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They would. That's awesome.
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Yeah, I mean, I was also going to say you can kind of read between the lines, too, on the posts.
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Like, if it's just one describing and giving an overview and we're not,
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like, enthusiastic about it, maybe we didn't love it that much,
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but if we're really into it and we're showing you everything and saying everything
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that we loved, then you get a better idea.
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And if it was egregious, I will just email the restaurant or talk to them there.
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Depends on how dramatic they are. These are creatives too, so some of them can be a little upset.
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But if it was really bad, like stale food or something crazy,
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I'll email and say, hey, I'm not posting this. And that's a whole thing.
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And what would you guys say to people who want to be a food influencer?
00:15:18.995 --> 00:15:23.355
They want to start off. They want to take pictures. They want to build a repertoire
00:15:23.355 --> 00:15:24.635
of people following them.
00:15:24.875 --> 00:15:27.935
You know, they think it's a really cool thing to do behind the scenes.
00:15:28.415 --> 00:15:31.595
What's the real story behind it? Like, as far as somebody who wants to start
00:15:31.595 --> 00:15:34.855
it, something like that. I know you just pick up the camera and take a picture.
00:15:35.115 --> 00:15:38.495
I learned from you, actually, our first episode we did together,
00:15:38.715 --> 00:15:40.535
the title was The Camera Eats First.
00:15:40.835 --> 00:15:42.855
And I didn't know that. I was like, I'm eating first. I said,
00:15:42.875 --> 00:15:45.395
I don't want to talk with the camera, but I learned from you on that.
00:15:45.735 --> 00:15:51.575
Camera always eats first. We have a lot of cold food because the camera eats first. Yeah, so true.
00:15:52.075 --> 00:15:56.435
I mean, I've never seen anything to, just to give people a background when you guys go in.
00:15:56.795 --> 00:16:00.175
Because when I, it's a sight to behold. There's lights, there's cameras,
00:16:00.315 --> 00:16:03.595
there's just so much going on that it's like, what is going on right now?
00:16:03.675 --> 00:16:04.655
It's like a photo shoot of food.
00:16:04.815 --> 00:16:07.315
But tell people like what you guys do behind the scenes.
00:16:10.176 --> 00:16:15.016
I mean, it's so much that goes on behind the scenes.
00:16:15.276 --> 00:16:17.756
I mean, do you want us to walk you through an experience? Oh,
00:16:17.996 --> 00:16:19.676
sneak peek, yeah. Yeah, I mean, it depends.
00:16:19.916 --> 00:16:21.316
Now, if it's an event, you know,
00:16:21.416 --> 00:16:24.696
you get a mass invite, a couple of other foodies will show up with you.
00:16:24.976 --> 00:16:27.936
Let's say, like, that's how I met Samantha. You're at a dinner table.
00:16:28.456 --> 00:16:32.316
And like you said, all of the lights, we'll all bring our food lights because
00:16:32.316 --> 00:16:36.056
you have to have good lighting. That's what's going to help your content perform well.
00:16:36.376 --> 00:16:40.396
So everybody has their big giant lights and their phones. Make sure you're cleaning
00:16:40.396 --> 00:16:44.656
off your camera lens because you don't want those photos and videos to be blurry.
00:16:44.956 --> 00:16:48.876
That's like the biggest hack, I feel like. When people start posting content,
00:16:49.036 --> 00:16:52.016
you can immediately tell that they have greasy hands.
00:16:53.836 --> 00:16:59.776
But, yeah, and, you know, just I think, too, there are a million people doing
00:16:59.776 --> 00:17:01.536
this now. They're on TikTok. They're everywhere.
00:17:01.876 --> 00:17:06.876
So just really having fun with it, making friends, but then also eventually
00:17:06.876 --> 00:17:11.336
trying to find your own perspective. Like, why would people come to you specifically come to your page?
00:17:11.836 --> 00:17:16.136
And I feel like once you figure that out, it's kind of easier to to shoot and
00:17:16.136 --> 00:17:18.216
to post and to know what you want to post.
00:17:18.896 --> 00:17:25.336
Yeah, I think, you know, it's storytelling and it's being consistent and it's like being yourself.
00:17:25.576 --> 00:17:29.796
I think, right, like I just I feel like I started to get followers because I
00:17:29.796 --> 00:17:33.376
was just really authentic. I was who I am. I'd share to that.
00:17:33.616 --> 00:17:37.236
I put myself in my stories all the time and I was consistent with it.
00:17:37.316 --> 00:17:41.836
And it's hard when you start because it's like you see these accounts like yours and mine.
00:17:42.096 --> 00:17:44.296
They have a lot of followers. But like at one point we didn't.
00:17:44.456 --> 00:17:46.676
We had 5,000 and 1,000 followers.
00:17:46.676 --> 00:17:51.036
And I was still two followers right like I got a cake for myself at 5,000 followers
00:17:51.036 --> 00:17:54.456
I thought it was the biggest deal and it is a big deal because that's important
00:17:54.456 --> 00:17:59.856
too and like you just have to be consistent and keep going and it it becomes
00:17:59.856 --> 00:18:01.796
fun because then you get to join this community,
00:18:02.316 --> 00:18:06.396
of creators and then restaurant folks and the chefs and it's just like a fun
00:18:06.396 --> 00:18:07.696
community that I love being a
00:18:07.696 --> 00:18:10.676
part of and like you're all here you're all part of this community too so.
00:18:11.464 --> 00:18:14.184
Yeah, I think it's just worth it, even if you don't have the largest account,
00:18:14.384 --> 00:18:16.724
to just keep going because I think it's fun.
00:18:17.284 --> 00:18:20.704
Yeah, I think I would just say just start. Yeah. Just start doing it,
00:18:20.804 --> 00:18:22.064
and you'll figure it out along the way.
00:18:22.684 --> 00:18:25.784
It sounds a little cliche, but stay authentic to yourself.
00:18:25.964 --> 00:18:29.244
Don't try to be something that you're not because there's a huge community out
00:18:29.244 --> 00:18:31.904
there. I mean, billions of people. You're going to find people that relate to you.
00:18:32.344 --> 00:18:36.344
And I think the other biggest thing, which I struggled with a little bit more
00:18:36.344 --> 00:18:37.764
recently, is staying consistent.
00:18:38.164 --> 00:18:41.504
Like now the game is you have to post and post and post and the more content
00:18:41.504 --> 00:18:45.184
you put out there the more you're going to give views and engagement because
00:18:45.184 --> 00:18:48.784
the algorithm rewards that it wants it wants you on there it wants all of us
00:18:48.784 --> 00:18:52.684
on there so yeah just start stay consistent go from there,
00:18:53.384 --> 00:18:58.624
what platform do you guys prefer the from best to least as far as you guys use
00:18:58.624 --> 00:19:03.424
i'm really an instagram girl but that's just because of my time like that's
00:19:03.424 --> 00:19:07.064
the i don't have an as much time so i I have to just focus on one platform.
00:19:07.284 --> 00:19:10.364
If I had to stretch myself, I think it would just burn me out.
00:19:10.464 --> 00:19:15.144
So like for me personally, I just kind of focus on one platform because that's what's best for me.
00:19:15.484 --> 00:19:18.104
But I do have a TikTok, but I don't give it enough attention,
00:19:18.104 --> 00:19:22.184
so it doesn't do as well. So I just I know it works for me and I just stick to it.
00:19:23.150 --> 00:19:26.930
I'll just do Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, but I'll just create one video
00:19:26.930 --> 00:19:31.450
and post it across all of them because I figure I'm doing all the work in creating the videos.
00:19:31.630 --> 00:19:35.570
I might as well put it as many places as I can, even if it's not going to do well.
00:19:36.150 --> 00:19:39.230
Just throw it out there. Yeah. Same. I think I do Instagram.
00:19:39.950 --> 00:19:41.690
Instagram is probably my favorite.
00:19:42.710 --> 00:19:47.230
Facebook lately has a nice creator program, so they pay kind of well nowadays.
00:19:47.750 --> 00:19:53.310
And TikTok. And then I'm on threads quite a bit, just chit-chatting and connecting with people.
00:19:53.550 --> 00:19:57.610
I post food every now and then, but it's just mostly for me to talk to random Baltimoreans.
00:19:58.350 --> 00:20:01.690
She's fun to follow on threads. Fire them up a little bit. Please don't.
00:20:01.930 --> 00:20:04.190
She's fun to follow on threads. Threads is a good time. I like following on
00:20:04.190 --> 00:20:06.850
threads, too. She talks. So it's a lot going on threads. Yeah.
00:20:07.250 --> 00:20:11.770
It helps me get through my work day. I'm at my desk just posting crazy threads.
00:20:13.290 --> 00:20:16.570
Can you guys name some of the corporations or companies you guys have worked
00:20:16.570 --> 00:20:17.650
with in Baltimore region?
00:20:18.610 --> 00:20:22.270
In Baltimore or just in general? Yeah, in general. For businesses,
00:20:22.270 --> 00:20:27.050
I've done like Pepsi, McDonald's, Zapparanz. Dunkin'. Dunkin'.
00:20:27.690 --> 00:20:31.530
Rofo. Right, you're a big Rofo. I'm a big Rofo guy. Yeah.
00:20:32.390 --> 00:20:36.250
Yeah. Yeah, I was like, I worked with the Baltimore Ravens a couple times this
00:20:36.250 --> 00:20:40.610
year, but they were for like national campaigns. They were like a food something
00:20:40.610 --> 00:20:42.290
sponsored by the Ravens.
00:20:42.450 --> 00:20:44.630
Yeah, we did. I saw you did it too.
00:20:45.650 --> 00:20:48.990
Comcast, they were a nice one. And just Verizon.
00:20:50.350 --> 00:20:53.870
Yeah, a whole bunch. It's kind of hard to remember. Is there a company in the
00:20:53.870 --> 00:20:56.090
region that you would love to work with that you haven't worked with yet?
00:20:56.570 --> 00:21:00.250
I worked with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation recently. That was fun. I like that one.
00:21:01.211 --> 00:21:06.151
I don't know. I'm thinking like it's so hard because I want to like we do our
00:21:06.151 --> 00:21:10.251
we do most of the stuff with local restaurants, which is like what we like to do.
00:21:10.431 --> 00:21:15.491
I think working with brands is more because like this is also kind of a business for all of us.
00:21:15.691 --> 00:21:19.431
And so we have to balance it because paid ads are important.
00:21:19.571 --> 00:21:22.971
It allows us to then go out to all these places and then showcase it.
00:21:23.131 --> 00:21:25.611
But, you know, you know, it's different.
00:21:25.811 --> 00:21:29.031
Like I worked with Wendy's. Yeah, right. Yeah. Pepsi.
00:21:30.011 --> 00:21:35.951
I think that when it comes to like the local restaurants, very rarely in the
00:21:35.951 --> 00:21:39.891
time I've been doing it, have I charged a local restaurant to post.
00:21:40.031 --> 00:21:42.971
And even then, it's only been when they've really pressured me to come in and
00:21:42.971 --> 00:21:45.871
check it out, where I've had to rearrange my schedule or make it a priority.
00:21:46.451 --> 00:21:51.471
Because when it comes to local restaurants, I'm buying all the meals, 99% of the meals.
00:21:51.691 --> 00:21:56.951
So those corporate and the brand deals help to subsidize all of the local restaurant ones.
00:21:57.351 --> 00:22:02.391
But if I was going to work with one, Old Bay, us, call me.
00:22:03.311 --> 00:22:04.811
DM me.
00:22:05.771 --> 00:22:08.731
Yeah, I think that is something to think about, though, because the three of
00:22:08.731 --> 00:22:14.391
us up here, we specifically, as Baltimore and Maryland influencers in the restaurant
00:22:14.391 --> 00:22:20.291
space, we majority highlight local restaurants. And that's not the same for all influencers.
00:22:20.511 --> 00:22:23.331
Some of them want to do all the change. I mean, they pay more.
00:22:23.331 --> 00:22:25.851
It's probably a little bit of an easier lift.
00:22:27.031 --> 00:22:31.331
And yeah, I think it's one of those things, like she said, with the paid ads,
00:22:31.491 --> 00:22:37.431
we do pay out of pocket for some of our food and we'll do exchange or something like that.
00:22:37.551 --> 00:22:41.071
But it's, you know, it's not a very lucrative business if you're doing it like
00:22:41.071 --> 00:22:43.651
that. So it's a passion project for all of us.
00:22:43.971 --> 00:22:46.371
Yeah. I feel like we get chain emails all the time.
00:22:46.771 --> 00:22:50.731
And it's hard because, like, I want to be helpful, but we also have to be authentic
00:22:50.731 --> 00:22:54.151
to, like, who we are and what we post. And I don't think my followers or I don't
00:22:54.151 --> 00:22:56.731
think any of us are like want that, but,
00:22:57.395 --> 00:23:01.315
So it's like we pick and choose. And I think even when it comes to even accepting
00:23:01.315 --> 00:23:04.215
free meals and stuff from restaurants, it's still costing them something. Yeah.
00:23:04.415 --> 00:23:08.535
And I don't like going in with the expectation that I have to do something afterwards.
00:23:08.915 --> 00:23:13.575
So if I go in and I'm paying, then it's up to me to decide whether or not I
00:23:13.575 --> 00:23:15.795
want to put it out there. Yeah. And I don't feel bad about it.
00:23:15.795 --> 00:23:16.815
Yeah, especially as you grow.
00:23:16.995 --> 00:23:19.355
I feel like the level of control is a lot, you know.
00:23:19.935 --> 00:23:23.795
Because it can get awkward if they invite you in and you're like, well, I wasn't.
00:23:24.915 --> 00:23:26.975
I will agree with you guys. It was a beautiful restaurant.
00:23:29.275 --> 00:23:32.215
Beautiful gowns definitely on
00:23:32.215 --> 00:23:35.555
the national chain level it's a lot different i mean
00:23:35.555 --> 00:23:38.795
i've worked with national chain before casual permanente
00:23:38.795 --> 00:23:42.135
and that was like a whole different ball game of a
00:23:42.135 --> 00:23:44.815
group of people in the room like this is what we want this is what we want you to
00:23:44.815 --> 00:23:47.975
do and so it's a whole different ball game working with
00:23:47.975 --> 00:23:50.915
national chains has it been different with working with them compared to
00:23:50.915 --> 00:23:53.975
local for you guys do they expect a lot more from you guys they
00:23:53.975 --> 00:23:58.035
expect a lot less for way more money it's true
00:23:58.035 --> 00:24:01.095
that's all I said it's a passion project I wouldn't want my whole
00:24:01.095 --> 00:24:04.735
feed to be Wendy's and Pizza Hut like I would hate that for myself but
00:24:04.735 --> 00:24:08.075
it is an easier lift I mean it just is
00:24:08.075 --> 00:24:11.335
because you this is such like doing the local restaurant stuff
00:24:11.335 --> 00:24:14.135
is such a people job like you are
00:24:14.135 --> 00:24:17.415
meeting the restaurant owners and the chefs and the servers and
00:24:17.415 --> 00:24:21.215
you're connected like some of these people I've known for years now just from
00:24:21.215 --> 00:24:24.235
doing this and I mean if you're doing a
00:24:24.235 --> 00:24:27.995
wendy's campaign you're just going to wendy's and ordering and
00:24:27.995 --> 00:24:30.975
then talking to somebody in new york city about
00:24:30.975 --> 00:24:35.775
approving the post and and you get the product how it comes out yeah it's like
00:24:35.775 --> 00:24:38.735
if you're going to the restaurant i know the chefs know that you're there and
00:24:38.735 --> 00:24:43.575
they make it pretty and the service can be better if you're going to like wendy's
00:24:43.575 --> 00:24:46.575
or one of these places like you're getting the product yeah they don't know
00:24:46.575 --> 00:24:49.395
we're coming in or like unwrapping the burger and it's squished in the bag and
00:24:49.395 --> 00:24:50.575
you're like, how do I make this look good?
00:24:51.535 --> 00:24:55.295
Sauce. Always sauce. But if you pull out your light, they will remake it.
00:24:55.335 --> 00:24:56.675
That happens to me quite a bit.
00:24:59.456 --> 00:25:02.936
Has there ever been a time where you're like, oh, no, how do I make this look
00:25:02.936 --> 00:25:05.796
good? Has there ever been, like, besides a burger? I like that.
00:25:06.596 --> 00:25:09.096
I replayed food all the time. Yeah. Yeah. Even at restaurants.
00:25:09.156 --> 00:25:11.496
I'm like, no, we need to move this over here. We need to move the bun.
00:25:11.616 --> 00:25:14.356
I mean, it's, yeah. And hopefully they don't get offended, but.
00:25:14.856 --> 00:25:18.276
Yeah. Like, I feel like I'll go out to dinner with my family or my friends and,
00:25:18.376 --> 00:25:19.676
like, I set the whole table.
00:25:19.796 --> 00:25:22.776
And I'm like, we can't eat yet. And there's, like, the spoon that's there.
00:25:22.856 --> 00:25:25.516
Get the spoon away. One second. Wait, one more time. I didn't get it.
00:25:26.396 --> 00:25:30.116
And everyone's cool with it because, you know, hopefully we'll get like a roundish
00:25:30.116 --> 00:25:32.316
like champagne or something. Although.
00:25:32.696 --> 00:25:36.416
Because I take my light out. They're like, oh, who is that? The light is powerful.
00:25:36.616 --> 00:25:39.636
I feel like even if you don't shoot content for real. Just take the light.
00:25:39.796 --> 00:25:40.916
Buy a light and turn it on.
00:25:41.356 --> 00:25:43.336
Right. And everyone is going to. Who is that? Come for it.
00:25:44.656 --> 00:25:47.536
Who would do that in this restaurant? Are you an influencer? I'm like, I would.
00:25:49.016 --> 00:25:55.036
What is a hidden gem or hidden spot in Baltimore or even Maryland that you guys would say?
00:25:55.756 --> 00:25:59.616
People need to check out this new hidden gem just opened in Hamden.
00:26:02.076 --> 00:26:05.676
That's a good question. I mean, for me, I would start off, I think Peter's Inn
00:26:05.676 --> 00:26:08.576
for me is, Peter's Inn is one of those things that people really don't know
00:26:08.576 --> 00:26:09.976
about unless you really know.
00:26:10.656 --> 00:26:13.476
And like, you really don't know about it. I know. Now they know.
00:26:13.776 --> 00:26:18.776
And even with the menu, the menu's the menu. They don't change it.
00:26:18.876 --> 00:26:20.036
They're just who they are.
00:26:20.696 --> 00:26:24.316
Yeah. And like, people, they're like, we've walked past this a hundred times, never knew it was there.
00:26:24.676 --> 00:26:28.836
And people don't know about it, so. It was my spot when I lived in Fells Point,
00:26:28.856 --> 00:26:30.116
just going in and sitting at the bar.
00:26:30.196 --> 00:26:34.576
There's like 10 seats, so it's like. If you've never been to Peter's Inn, check it out.
00:26:34.716 --> 00:26:37.816
It's on South Ann Street, one of the best restaurants. Water for chocolate.
00:26:38.436 --> 00:26:41.136
What? Water for chocolate? That's a really good hidden gem.
00:26:42.396 --> 00:26:45.556
Right down the street from Peter's Inn. Has anyone been to Little Donna's?
00:26:45.876 --> 00:26:49.736
Yeah, Little Donna's is great. Yes. I don't know if that's hidden now anymore.
00:26:49.836 --> 00:26:53.616
Is it hidden? It's not hidden. I think the New York Times kind of made that one.
00:26:53.996 --> 00:26:56.016
It takes you out of the hidden gem territory.
00:26:56.956 --> 00:27:04.636
Okay, fine. Okay, here's a pizza one. The new pizza place next to our house. Frank's? No. Dopeo.
00:27:06.096 --> 00:27:10.476
Dopeo. Their espresso's really good. Frank's is just the best. Yes.
00:27:11.096 --> 00:27:14.576
Dopeo's my hidden gem pick. I'm stealing that. Because I go there all the time.
00:27:14.696 --> 00:27:17.636
Their espresso, like their coffee is delicious.
00:27:18.776 --> 00:27:22.876
But let's talk about Frank's. Who's had their cheesesteak? I do like,
00:27:22.956 --> 00:27:25.856
I mean, Frank's, I'm there like once a week. Home of the Pasta Tower.
00:27:26.396 --> 00:27:29.096
I've never had the pasta. I didn't have the, you're the Tower King.
00:27:29.096 --> 00:27:31.496
I didn't have the tower. Oh, you love a tower. A tower.
00:27:32.036 --> 00:27:35.196
Put anything on a tower and it looks great. Tell us about that tower, please.
00:27:35.516 --> 00:27:40.016
I think that when I, so, now I'm like on a tower kick. If I can go to a restaurant
00:27:40.016 --> 00:27:41.396
and make a tower out of it, I will.
00:27:42.226 --> 00:27:46.706
Because when you post, and you post a seafood tower in Baltimore, it goes crazy.
00:27:47.106 --> 00:27:49.586
People love it. Likes, engagement, all of that stuff. So I'm like,
00:27:49.646 --> 00:27:51.786
well, what happens if we made a brunch tower?
00:27:52.186 --> 00:27:55.606
What happens if we made a pasta tower? What happens if we made a crab tower?
00:27:55.826 --> 00:27:59.546
And the crab tower actually went nuts. Yeah, the crab tower was crazy.
00:28:00.026 --> 00:28:03.826
And it's just three tiers. And you pick the best things from the menu at the
00:28:03.826 --> 00:28:05.646
restaurant, and you just put it on each level.
00:28:06.526 --> 00:28:09.546
You have to take a lot of people, though. And all my friends make fun of me
00:28:09.546 --> 00:28:12.306
now for doing towers. They're like another tower. I'm like, absolutely.
00:28:12.626 --> 00:28:15.526
Are you taking them with you? I feel like they would shut up if they were eating
00:28:15.526 --> 00:28:19.346
a seafood tower. Maybe that's the problem. Yeah, you got to invite them. They'll be happy.
00:28:20.006 --> 00:28:23.706
I would say Frank's is a hidden gem. It is. So Northeast is a hidden gem.
00:28:23.826 --> 00:28:26.366
I guess it is because it's not next to anything really.
00:28:27.126 --> 00:28:31.746
But ever since, I mean, I guess Dave Portnoy is not the New York Times or anything,
00:28:31.966 --> 00:28:34.786
but that is a pretty big feature. We were before Dave Portnoy.
00:28:34.826 --> 00:28:35.706
We were before Dave Portnoy.
00:28:35.846 --> 00:28:40.286
I know, but every time I go in there now, it's our way for anything in there.
00:28:40.306 --> 00:28:44.626
But those guys, that family, Jerry, like they're the nicest people.
00:28:44.906 --> 00:28:49.526
So sweet, yeah. And they are like family run and the wife and parents and it just is.
00:28:49.546 --> 00:28:53.046
I remember I used to, I mean, I still do, but it's not summertime.
00:28:53.286 --> 00:28:57.446
We'll volunteer with Baltimore City Public Schools and that we would take the
00:28:57.446 --> 00:28:59.966
kids to Frank's and he would just sponsor our meal.
00:29:00.086 --> 00:29:03.246
We didn't come in there asking for anything and he would just pay for everything
00:29:03.246 --> 00:29:06.926
that we ordered to cover the meal for us and just talk to the kids.
00:29:07.026 --> 00:29:10.646
And I just thought that was really, really sweet of him. he does it every single
00:29:10.646 --> 00:29:15.986
time so it's in northeast Baltimore on Bel-Air Road yep.
00:29:17.546 --> 00:29:21.646
And you could do Killer Dogs Killer Dogs right there for some of the best hot
00:29:21.646 --> 00:29:24.506
dogs in town too I still haven't been there I feel like I'm behind they've opened
00:29:24.506 --> 00:29:30.146
another location too yeah coffee shops where do you guys want me to hang out at coffee shops,
00:29:31.154 --> 00:29:34.834
Check out my latest article on the banner. Ah, that was a good plug.
00:29:35.154 --> 00:29:38.774
That was a good plug. That was a good plug. Mysterious. Not the latest one.
00:29:39.534 --> 00:29:43.474
Dopeyo. I just said that, but also at, I'm in the Remington neighborhood,
00:29:43.494 --> 00:29:46.874
so Cafe Dear Leon, their new thing.
00:29:47.514 --> 00:29:51.454
I'm really into one of their rosemary lattes. Oh, no.
00:29:51.694 --> 00:29:56.594
Actually, no. I'm into their sweet potato. They have like a sweet potato latte
00:29:56.594 --> 00:30:00.014
thing going on, like a purple sweet potato, and you add a double shot of espresso.
00:30:00.014 --> 00:30:02.114
So I've had that a couple of times.
00:30:02.494 --> 00:30:05.494
It's so good. I've had it a couple of times in the last few weeks.
00:30:06.253 --> 00:30:10.113
And can we add matcha? Because that's awesome. You just did a thing on that,
00:30:10.193 --> 00:30:13.653
right? That's my guy's spot. That's like my favorite spot in the city. Obsessed with equity.
00:30:13.973 --> 00:30:17.293
That's probably my new favorite spot. I'm in there quite a bit in the middle
00:30:17.293 --> 00:30:19.813
of the day on my laptop getting work done.
00:30:20.053 --> 00:30:23.533
The matcha's really good. It's just such a vibey, cool environment.
00:30:23.833 --> 00:30:25.893
Very relaxing. I love the soul music.
00:30:26.253 --> 00:30:28.553
It's just a great place. It's at Matcha Studio.
00:30:28.953 --> 00:30:32.693
Matcha Studio, yeah. I love that place, actually. We're actually doing a show
00:30:32.693 --> 00:30:34.333
there, but we're not going to talk about it. Ooh.
00:30:34.753 --> 00:30:36.973
I love that. Snake Peas. You heard it here first.
00:30:38.473 --> 00:30:44.733
But back to Cafe Dear Leon, how about them being nominated for a James Beard?
00:30:44.913 --> 00:30:46.953
Like that is so big for this city.
00:30:47.593 --> 00:30:53.133
Like they're not even a regional category. It's in like the main category of
00:30:53.133 --> 00:30:54.913
like best bakeries in the country.
00:30:55.653 --> 00:31:00.553
That's a big deal. Yeah. It's a really big deal. I think that a lot of, well, I don't know.
00:31:00.713 --> 00:31:03.733
I have the feeling that a lot of people don't realize how important some of these,
00:31:04.733 --> 00:31:07.673
recognitions are like when you get a james beard award
00:31:07.673 --> 00:31:10.973
the amount of regional national recognition that
00:31:10.973 --> 00:31:13.993
these restaurants are getting draw people from well beyond the baltimore region
00:31:13.993 --> 00:31:18.833
and it's a it's a huge boost for baltimore and a lot of years baltimore skips
00:31:18.833 --> 00:31:23.373
gets skipped over dc for the beard awards and it goes right it'll go to dc or
00:31:23.373 --> 00:31:27.673
philly or new york places this year right that's like a huge deal i feel like
00:31:27.673 --> 00:31:31.373
that has never happened and charleston won last year Yeah,
00:31:31.493 --> 00:31:34.173
Charleston finally won. I feel like they get nominated every year.
00:31:34.413 --> 00:31:37.413
Yeah, finally they win. Last year was their year. That was it? Yeah.
00:31:38.284 --> 00:31:41.944
Yeah, it's cool. But my favorite coffee shop is John Brown.
00:31:42.104 --> 00:31:46.224
So I'm uptown, up in the county, and you can't even sit down in there,
00:31:46.324 --> 00:31:47.804
but there's just something charming about it.
00:31:48.064 --> 00:31:51.184
Sitting outside, like being outside in the cold and then waiting in this like
00:31:51.184 --> 00:31:53.684
little, I don't know, it's cute, but they also have an amazing burger.
00:31:53.924 --> 00:31:55.904
Coffee and a burger. Coffee and a burger. We did talk about that.
00:31:56.264 --> 00:32:01.444
That burger is serious. My mom lives at Owens Mills and I drive over that way purposely.
00:32:02.884 --> 00:32:05.524
It's not even close to Owens Mills, but. You have to get that burger.
00:32:05.544 --> 00:32:10.084
It's technically like, I live in Owens Mills. It's on Falls Road and what is it? I don't know.
00:32:10.404 --> 00:32:14.784
Like Chawon? Chawon, Chawon. But they close it too. Weird hours, weird hours.
00:32:15.464 --> 00:32:19.564
But that burger is serious. So get there early. It's Chawon Road and Falls,
00:32:19.764 --> 00:32:21.844
right out by- Hun Valley. Hun Valley, yeah, Hun Valley.
00:32:22.484 --> 00:32:24.844
They used to have a spot. They used to own a spot in the city.
00:32:25.224 --> 00:32:27.584
Was it Parks and Labor? Parks and Labor. Parks and Labor, yeah.
00:32:28.604 --> 00:32:31.684
They used to, you know, what Cafe Dear Leon's new Remington location is.
00:32:32.124 --> 00:32:33.424
What's your favorite coffee shop?
00:32:33.944 --> 00:32:37.564
Mine, I think, is, I love catalog coffee. in Hamden.
00:32:38.164 --> 00:32:41.724
They're great. And then I also like the Common Ground.
00:32:42.284 --> 00:32:46.244
Oh, yeah. I was just there before music class.
00:32:46.524 --> 00:32:51.464
I went there recently for the first time. I don't know why I missed it,
00:32:51.604 --> 00:32:54.124
but they have an amazing like breakfast biscuit.
00:32:54.644 --> 00:32:58.404
Yeah. So good. I really like them. Yeah. And now I've gone back a few times.
00:32:58.984 --> 00:33:01.264
Where's this located? Where's it located? In Hamden.
00:33:02.024 --> 00:33:07.244
Okay. Just on like 36-ish. Yeah, like right on the corner. I hear some Common Ground fans out in the,
00:33:08.108 --> 00:33:11.228
oh yeah it is you're right it doesn't play,
00:33:12.108 --> 00:33:15.888
what's the spot on Falls Road it's pretty cool I go there a lot also corner,
00:33:16.428 --> 00:33:20.388
corner pantry good neighbor good neighbor oh good neighbor oh yeah good neighbor
00:33:20.388 --> 00:33:23.948
yes oh I love corner pantry it's a cute place,
00:33:24.508 --> 00:33:27.848
yeah I like corner neighbor because you can be not corner neighbor but both
00:33:27.848 --> 00:33:31.708
of them good neighbor good neighbor you can be outside yeah the yard is great
00:33:31.708 --> 00:33:37.628
relax have your labs have out there and work and it's a hotel and it's a plant shop yes,
00:33:38.188 --> 00:33:42.808
literally you can just go you can go there and stay yeah you never have to leave
00:33:42.808 --> 00:33:47.948
good neighbor it takes a little long for them to get your coffee though but if you're patient.
00:33:49.748 --> 00:33:54.248
Yeah corner pantry though is a hidden gem yeah that is that's a good one that's
00:33:54.248 --> 00:33:56.788
a hidden gem people don't know about it but now you all do they have the best
00:33:56.788 --> 00:33:59.188
cheddar biscuit i've ever had,
00:33:59.908 --> 00:34:02.948
the best cheddar biscuit and they expanded so it's not as crazy
00:34:02.948 --> 00:34:05.768
in there anymore so they have more seats but it's pretty and next
00:34:05.768 --> 00:34:10.548
door ish is the bonjour cafe that
00:34:10.548 --> 00:34:13.848
just went viral for the i don't i don't know what they're called it's like the
00:34:13.848 --> 00:34:18.028
pastry pastry that looks like a fruit yeah i don't know it has a name lines
00:34:18.028 --> 00:34:22.108
out the door now it does have a name if you go on a tuesday they have the leftover
00:34:22.108 --> 00:34:29.668
from the weekend the viral fruit i went yesterday that's a good hack i'm gonna do that.
00:34:29.868 --> 00:34:32.068
I'm not spending that a lot. Is that on Falls Road next to Corner Pantry?
00:34:32.128 --> 00:34:33.908
Next to the Corner Pantry. Okay. Okay, yeah.
00:34:35.475 --> 00:34:39.715
You're learning stuff. I'm learning so much tonight. Yeah. I hope everybody's taking notes.
00:34:40.815 --> 00:34:43.635
If not, just DM us. We respond. We do respond.
00:34:43.795 --> 00:34:45.735
Actually, do you guys respond to DMs? Actually, that's a good,
00:34:45.915 --> 00:34:48.915
like, how do you, like, and what's the one of some of the wildest DMs you've
00:34:48.915 --> 00:34:50.635
ever gotten from somebody?
00:34:50.935 --> 00:34:55.075
Oh, yeah. I don't want to share the wild. I don't think we need to know that.
00:34:55.075 --> 00:34:56.315
There's something where you're like, what is this?
00:34:56.395 --> 00:34:59.715
I mean, so that was one of the other questions, I think, was like,
00:34:59.895 --> 00:35:02.975
what is a side of this that people don't see?
00:35:03.255 --> 00:35:08.215
Yeah. And I think it's that side. it's the there's a lot of you know it's overwhelmingly
00:35:08.215 --> 00:35:13.355
positive i would say it is but you do get the negative comments the negative
00:35:13.355 --> 00:35:16.735
threats i mean i have gotten threats in my dms too,
00:35:17.295 --> 00:35:21.255
that part dealing with sometimes becomes a little complicated but
00:35:21.255 --> 00:35:24.995
if you clap back it makes you feel better it does
00:35:24.995 --> 00:35:27.855
could i
00:35:27.855 --> 00:35:32.875
be a little gross it's not it's like bug gross somebody in the restaurant's
00:35:32.875 --> 00:35:37.315
closed so it doesn't matter but i posted a restaurant and immediately one of
00:35:37.315 --> 00:35:41.855
the employees sent me several videos of the kitchen with like roaches just running
00:35:41.855 --> 00:35:45.415
everywhere like it was it was.
00:35:46.535 --> 00:35:51.795
Crazy i was like did you take it down i did i took it down i mean i don't even
00:35:51.795 --> 00:35:56.075
think you all could imagine like it wasn't just a couple it was it was hundreds
00:35:56.075 --> 00:36:01.975
like yeah it was oh man it was horrifying i still think about it from time to
00:36:01.975 --> 00:36:03.275
time it was like three years ago.
00:36:06.097 --> 00:36:15.077
That's nice yeah it was it was it was so bad that's disgusting yeah glad it's closed um,
00:36:16.497 --> 00:36:19.657
nothing like that no i love
00:36:19.657 --> 00:36:22.937
i guess i very much respond most if i can it's a
00:36:22.937 --> 00:36:25.837
lot with the dms so there's like people don't people
00:36:25.837 --> 00:36:28.757
don't like well like if you're doing a giveaway right if you're
00:36:28.757 --> 00:36:31.457
doing a giveaway and they're like tagging you there's no way i can see all of
00:36:31.457 --> 00:36:34.437
those don't do that anymore because i don't want to get tagged because
00:36:34.437 --> 00:36:37.077
i can't keep up and then it just yeah so i don't do
00:36:37.077 --> 00:36:40.017
that anymore right because it's about like what i can handle and
00:36:40.017 --> 00:36:42.637
i can't handle it but yeah like i do a lot
00:36:42.637 --> 00:36:45.437
of stories just because it's fun to go out to eat so i share that i do
00:36:45.437 --> 00:36:49.817
a lot of that you guys probably your stories are fun thank you but if people
00:36:49.817 --> 00:36:53.317
engage with me all the time then i kind of just know who they are and i respond
00:36:53.317 --> 00:36:57.577
back all the time and i have like people that i like talk to all the time that
00:36:57.577 --> 00:37:01.517
i only know on instagram and it's fun that's fun And then they tell me stuff
00:37:01.517 --> 00:37:03.477
all the time and suggest things and I go.
00:37:04.277 --> 00:37:06.877
So, yeah, I respond. And then you'll meet them in public sometimes.
00:37:07.277 --> 00:37:08.817
Then what? You'll meet them in public and they'll be like, oh,
00:37:08.877 --> 00:37:11.037
I'm this person. I'm like, oh, that's what you look like.
00:37:12.137 --> 00:37:18.177
It's not just a little circle. Yeah, always come say hi. I think it's so much fun. Yeah, same. Yeah.
00:37:19.057 --> 00:37:23.557
Is it ever weird when people come to you or if you're for family or your friends
00:37:23.557 --> 00:37:25.837
and, oh, my God, like you're so and so.
00:37:25.857 --> 00:37:28.857
How does that feel? I don't think it's ever weird. It's just one of those things
00:37:28.857 --> 00:37:31.617
where you don't know. So, you know, I meet so many people now.
00:37:31.717 --> 00:37:35.037
Like I said, it's such a people job that I don't know if I know them in real
00:37:35.037 --> 00:37:42.037
life or from social media or, yeah, they just saw they know my face from something that I did.
00:37:42.197 --> 00:37:45.657
So, like, sometimes I can get a little confusing, but I mean,
00:37:45.717 --> 00:37:47.137
I don't mind every now and then.
00:37:47.257 --> 00:37:50.437
I'm like being a little too awkward to try to figure it out in a moment.
00:37:50.597 --> 00:37:53.957
But sometimes I just ask. I'm like, oh, what's your name again?
00:37:54.177 --> 00:37:56.157
They're like, oh, you don't know me. I'm like, oh, right. OK.
00:37:57.177 --> 00:38:00.757
Yeah. It's good to see you. Yeah. Good to see you. Nice to meet you.
00:38:01.609 --> 00:38:05.369
I was probably starstruck when I first met you. You're not anymore?
00:38:07.569 --> 00:38:13.029
I was like, oh my God, that's Eat More Baltimore. He's got 35,000 followers.
00:38:13.049 --> 00:38:13.909
I was doing this way before.
00:38:13.989 --> 00:38:17.129
I remember it was him and then Charm City Food Adventurers, Doug.
00:38:17.389 --> 00:38:21.089
Those were like the main two that I remember when I first started.
00:38:21.289 --> 00:38:24.549
So yeah, being at an event with them was like, ooh, we're big time now.
00:38:25.189 --> 00:38:28.589
He's great. And the official food group guys, that's so long ago.
00:38:28.709 --> 00:38:30.029
Oh, remember them? Yeah.
00:38:30.749 --> 00:38:33.209
Yeah. We could go on. American Food Journal.
00:38:34.229 --> 00:38:36.329
Oh, yeah. I can't keep up.
00:38:38.969 --> 00:38:42.149
No, it's always interesting because when I have friends, they're like,
00:38:42.249 --> 00:38:43.249
oh, my God, you're interviewing them?
00:38:43.389 --> 00:38:46.649
Like, it's like, oh, I know these guys. There's less, you know,
00:38:47.029 --> 00:38:49.209
than hers. You've known us forever. You're always at the events.
00:38:49.409 --> 00:38:51.649
No, no. I try to stay at the limelight.
00:38:52.429 --> 00:38:56.929
Aaron's actually the most social of all of us. Yes. Very much so. No, no, no.
00:38:57.209 --> 00:39:02.709
You know, but I still get weird. you know i get weird about certain things like i remember i was in dc,
00:39:03.189 --> 00:39:06.149
eating dinner and i was just hanging out and just chilling about
00:39:06.149 --> 00:39:08.809
to go to an event and this random dude comes and
00:39:08.809 --> 00:39:11.449
was like hey i love you i'm like what are
00:39:11.449 --> 00:39:14.489
you talking about but like i'm like i'm out of like i'm
00:39:14.489 --> 00:39:19.089
my guards down i'm not thinking i'm just hanging out eating dinner like stuff
00:39:19.089 --> 00:39:23.549
in my mouth and the guy's like you did baltimore right and i'm like what like
00:39:23.549 --> 00:39:28.109
i don't know what we did and he's like munchies and that was really so it's
00:39:28.109 --> 00:39:32.089
interesting going out of the area where people recognize you even more.
00:39:32.309 --> 00:39:36.569
So I get more people come recognizing out of state than in Baltimore.
00:39:36.889 --> 00:39:42.629
So if I go to like D.C., remember Vice Munchies, that crab cake was amazing,
00:39:42.789 --> 00:39:44.389
or the Clavel, that was amazing.
00:39:44.709 --> 00:39:46.989
People really recognize that and they'll come up to you and say,
00:39:47.209 --> 00:39:49.789
thank you so much for showing Baltimore, putting Baltimore on a mat.
00:39:49.969 --> 00:39:51.829
And that leads me to my next question with you guys.
00:39:52.449 --> 00:39:57.349
Why do you guys do it for Baltimore and why do you love Baltimore so much? Aww.
00:39:58.216 --> 00:40:05.616
Yeah. Like I set it up. Yeah, I think I mean, I love Baltimore so much because I'm from here.
00:40:05.936 --> 00:40:10.176
My family's from here. And I just I don't know.
00:40:10.276 --> 00:40:14.496
I just think we're all pretty cool and creative and interesting.
00:40:14.836 --> 00:40:18.216
And so are the people. And I think, you know, when I started this,
00:40:18.296 --> 00:40:23.196
it was like like Chris said, you go outside. I went to school in Richmond, Virginia, college.
00:40:23.516 --> 00:40:26.796
And when I said Baltimore, oh, Baltimore, like, you know, of course,
00:40:26.876 --> 00:40:30.256
the wire came up. And, you know, if something happened, they'd be like,
00:40:30.376 --> 00:40:32.316
don't don't tell Baltimore. She's going to say something.
00:40:32.596 --> 00:40:39.056
So it was just like it was just interesting because I I knew what was going on in the city.
00:40:39.236 --> 00:40:43.776
You know, unfortunately, you know, I've had family lost to gun violence and,
00:40:43.776 --> 00:40:46.076
you know, family who are struggling with addiction.
00:40:46.476 --> 00:40:51.136
But, you know, you also have family who have, you know, have homes here and
00:40:51.136 --> 00:40:55.396
have families and lives here and have done some beautiful things.
00:40:55.396 --> 00:41:01.156
You know, my family has owned businesses and just they're a part of the city.
00:41:01.416 --> 00:41:05.796
And so I think that's what makes me love it so much and love the people.
00:41:06.236 --> 00:41:10.076
And yeah, that's my love of it.
00:41:10.156 --> 00:41:15.036
Just my connection to family and friends and the people who live and exist here, including myself.
00:41:16.337 --> 00:41:20.857
Yeah, I mean, I agree. I was born and raised here, went away for a little bit and then came back.
00:41:21.237 --> 00:41:25.497
But I think what I love about it is that there are so many opportunities.
00:41:26.197 --> 00:41:30.357
You can be a big fish in a small pond. If you're interested in something or
00:41:30.357 --> 00:41:33.937
have a passion, you can start it here and become successful in it and grow.
00:41:34.537 --> 00:41:39.357
There are you know tons of resources but we're a major hub on the east coast
00:41:39.357 --> 00:41:47.157
that i think gets overlooked from our sports teams to the airports to the museums
00:41:47.157 --> 00:41:50.617
just there's so much here and,
00:41:51.217 --> 00:41:55.257
with that comes the community that's around it and i think that you can find
00:41:55.257 --> 00:41:58.837
a community here that's very supportive with what you want to do and baltimore
00:41:58.837 --> 00:42:03.737
is very loyal too you know people People are very defensive of Baltimore and they love it.
00:42:03.877 --> 00:42:07.877
So if you're for Baltimore and you're here to help the community and you're doing it genuinely.
00:42:09.162 --> 00:42:12.162
The people here will rally around you and support you and you can support them.
00:42:13.082 --> 00:42:17.542
That's so true. Yeah, I feel a lot of love and support from people in Baltimore. I really do.
00:42:17.922 --> 00:42:23.702
Yeah. And like, it's small, but like mighty, you know, like it's a small town.
00:42:24.042 --> 00:42:27.242
Like we are small. We all have connections. Like I could probably talk to everybody
00:42:27.242 --> 00:42:29.962
here and like we could find some sort of connection somehow.
00:42:30.582 --> 00:42:33.522
And so I think that's nice. I think that's what's charming.
00:42:33.842 --> 00:42:37.522
Like, I think that, you know, you can just it's not New York.
00:42:37.762 --> 00:42:41.122
I mean, I love New York City. Don't get me wrong. But like there's thousands
00:42:41.122 --> 00:42:42.622
of people that do what we do there.
00:42:42.822 --> 00:42:45.922
And it's just so large. And I think here it's like people are all trying to
00:42:45.922 --> 00:42:49.722
help each other. And when there's new places, we all want to go and we all want to support.
00:42:50.282 --> 00:42:52.782
And like the things you did during COVID, like I remember all of that.
00:42:52.882 --> 00:42:54.842
And like I was posting your stuff to just help other people.
00:42:55.042 --> 00:42:59.182
And it's just it's a smaller vibe. And I think it lets you connect to people more.
00:42:59.382 --> 00:43:03.302
And yeah. And from the food perspective, I think we have a lot going on.
00:43:03.302 --> 00:43:05.302
Like, we talked about the James Beard.
00:43:05.482 --> 00:43:09.322
Like, there's more restaurants opening up here, more restaurateurs taking chances
00:43:09.322 --> 00:43:12.942
on Baltimore when maybe they would have rather been in D.C. or Philly,
00:43:13.002 --> 00:43:14.062
but they're going to start here.
00:43:14.242 --> 00:43:18.262
And, like, I think only more is going to start opening up.
00:43:18.462 --> 00:43:22.782
That leads me into the food question as far as I always tell people I go to
00:43:22.782 --> 00:43:26.162
Baltimore. I'd rather go to be in Baltimore to eat dinner than in D.C.
00:43:26.382 --> 00:43:28.982
I think Baltimore has way better food in D.C.
00:43:29.682 --> 00:43:32.282
Why do you think Baltimore gets overlooked for food so much?
00:43:32.862 --> 00:43:36.522
And you guys are putting it out there so we can be on the map so we appreciate
00:43:36.522 --> 00:43:38.302
what you're doing but why do you think so.
00:43:39.248 --> 00:43:41.928
I think it's proximity to D.C. probably has a lot to do with it.
00:43:42.128 --> 00:43:43.588
It's far, but it's not that far.
00:43:44.368 --> 00:43:48.908
And, you know, there's more businesses, the government's there,
00:43:49.048 --> 00:43:51.788
so people are attracted to that more. And there's a lot more resources in D.C.
00:43:52.328 --> 00:43:57.448
To build it up. A lot more financial backing for the businesses and the restaurants than there are here.
00:43:57.888 --> 00:44:01.848
And also, just from a population standpoint, there are a lot more people.
00:44:02.008 --> 00:44:06.248
And Philly, too, over a million people in Philadelphia. So you have just the
00:44:06.248 --> 00:44:11.548
sheer numbers allow the restaurants and entertainment to be supported more than they are here.
00:44:12.708 --> 00:44:17.488
Yeah, I agree with Chris. And think about Baltimore 10 years ago.
00:44:17.788 --> 00:44:23.508
I feel like a renaissance is really happening, like Chris and Samantha have
00:44:23.508 --> 00:44:27.008
said, where these restaurants are taking a chance on the city and opening up.
00:44:27.008 --> 00:44:31.048
But, you know, that wasn't always the case with all of the negative perception
00:44:31.048 --> 00:44:33.968
that has has, you know, kind of plagued our city.
00:44:34.208 --> 00:44:39.068
You know, some of it's very true, but then there's always been such a beautiful
00:44:39.068 --> 00:44:42.808
side to Baltimore that that just wasn't being pushed out there.
00:44:42.948 --> 00:44:48.248
So I think people like us really play a major role in changing that narrative
00:44:48.248 --> 00:44:49.968
and having people understand,
00:44:50.188 --> 00:44:55.608
OK, yes, while there are so many real issues and complex issues,
00:44:55.608 --> 00:45:01.148
There is so much more beauty and creativity and passion and drive and community
00:45:01.148 --> 00:45:05.608
that that really makes Baltimore a beautiful place.
00:45:05.848 --> 00:45:07.688
And I think previously that got overlooked.
00:45:14.213 --> 00:45:18.473
I was so locked into what she was saying. I don't even remember the questions.
00:45:19.333 --> 00:45:23.533
What were we talking about? Baltimore. Guys, my head's at bedtime right now
00:45:23.533 --> 00:45:26.613
and making sure that her dad put her down right.
00:45:26.813 --> 00:45:32.033
So I'm a little lost. Just boosting Baltimore just between DC and New York.
00:45:33.513 --> 00:45:37.633
Investment. It's the money. But I think it's going to slowly change.
00:45:38.033 --> 00:45:40.433
Money and perception, yeah. Yeah, that's where they're investing because it's
00:45:40.433 --> 00:45:42.853
like they see it. But we're getting there.
00:45:43.473 --> 00:45:47.453
The for James Beard thing is honestly such a huge deal. And I need to post more
00:45:47.453 --> 00:45:50.793
about that. I haven't even done that. I know you did. We all follow each other closely.
00:45:51.673 --> 00:45:54.913
But yeah, that's a big deal. And I think there'll be more stuff like that and
00:45:54.913 --> 00:45:56.813
getting Baltimore folks on Top Chef.
00:45:57.033 --> 00:46:00.993
Like stuff like that's a big deal. Oh, yeah. I love all of those restaurants like Bunnies.
00:46:01.233 --> 00:46:04.673
We didn't talk about that. But Jesse was on Top Chef. Like something like that.
00:46:04.853 --> 00:46:06.213
Chef Cat was on Hell's Kitchen.
00:46:07.173 --> 00:46:10.453
That was recent, right? Yeah. Was it the chef, the beignet chefs were on?
00:46:10.493 --> 00:46:14.373
What show were they on? Oh, yeah. Yeah, there was a crime scene kitchen. Yeah, they were.
00:46:15.893 --> 00:46:19.233
But these are national shows. Yes. A lot of these chefs are on.
00:46:19.613 --> 00:46:23.293
It is the most exciting thing when I watch those shows and there's a Baltimore
00:46:23.293 --> 00:46:25.313
chef and I have eaten there and I've seen it.
00:46:25.393 --> 00:46:28.073
And I'm like, oh, we need more of this. So, yeah.
00:46:28.613 --> 00:46:32.173
Yeah, and I think we need people also to come downtown a lot more.
00:46:32.633 --> 00:46:37.013
Because as much as is happening in the city, I think that there's still a hesitation
00:46:37.013 --> 00:46:40.273
by people who live outside of the city and the county to come downtown.
00:46:40.273 --> 00:46:44.333
And that perception doesn't help. So we can help with that part.
00:46:44.953 --> 00:46:48.513
But I think getting people to come to these restaurants and to,
00:46:48.513 --> 00:46:52.353
you know, patronize the businesses would be huge.
00:46:52.833 --> 00:46:56.693
So if we can figure out how to do that and to make people feel like it's okay
00:46:56.693 --> 00:46:58.893
to go to the city, we're going to be okay, then that would help.
00:46:59.633 --> 00:47:02.533
Yeah, I love in the county and I love coming to the city to eat.
00:47:03.313 --> 00:47:06.633
That's what I do. All right, we're gonna do a quick speed round with you guys.
00:47:06.773 --> 00:47:10.673
Okay, go for it. Dine in or take out? Dine in.
00:47:12.089 --> 00:47:14.949
That's what we do crab cakes broiled or
00:47:14.949 --> 00:47:18.689
fried broiled best time to
00:47:18.689 --> 00:47:21.689
post morning afternoon or night night night
00:47:21.689 --> 00:47:26.949
out yeah why is night i wonder i always wonder that i think because i that's
00:47:26.949 --> 00:47:30.689
how i started posting at night yeah and that's when the your followers are most
00:47:30.689 --> 00:47:34.009
engaged yeah you get the followers through that in their phones or something
00:47:34.009 --> 00:47:37.909
like that i don't know i just i just started posting at night and just didn't
00:47:37.909 --> 00:47:41.289
stop every now and then i'll post in the morning but I wait. I try to wait.
00:47:41.569 --> 00:47:43.569
If I have it ready, I'll just wait until the night. Yeah, I try to do Sunday
00:47:43.569 --> 00:47:44.949
night because everybody's just scrolling.
00:47:45.609 --> 00:47:48.729
And they don't want to go to work. So they're looking at everything. I don't want to do it.
00:47:49.789 --> 00:47:54.549
Most overrated food trend right now. Oh, what do you have? I have one,
00:47:54.609 --> 00:47:56.449
but I want to say it after a conversation earlier.
00:47:57.369 --> 00:48:00.629
Is it matcha? It's matcha. Oh, I'm not a matcha fan either.
00:48:01.769 --> 00:48:05.609
Yeah, you get so many. And it's a toss up. Whether you get good matcha or not
00:48:05.609 --> 00:48:07.569
nowadays because everybody's doing matcha.
00:48:08.069 --> 00:48:10.689
Yeah, that's a big one. What are some other food trends?
00:48:11.229 --> 00:48:14.589
I'm like, I can't even think of. Caviar on everything. Oh, caviar.
00:48:14.749 --> 00:48:17.809
Like the McDonald's. I love that trend. Oh, I'm down for that.
00:48:18.029 --> 00:48:21.329
But on the McNuggets, you can enter a contest on McDonald's.
00:48:21.409 --> 00:48:22.649
My brother sent it to me earlier.
00:48:22.949 --> 00:48:26.089
What? You enter a contest for McDonald's and they'll send you.
00:48:26.149 --> 00:48:29.509
Yeah, I saw that. Caviar, a spoon, a little kit, and you put it on McNuggets.
00:48:29.909 --> 00:48:33.029
Well, can we do that together? We can do it. Let's do that. Yeah.
00:48:33.569 --> 00:48:38.069
I don't know. I like food trends. I mean, they come and go. So it's kind of fun to get into them.
00:48:38.069 --> 00:48:43.629
But yeah more towers yeah more towers they're coming don't worry yeah i've been
00:48:43.629 --> 00:48:45.129
slacking yeah we need the tower
00:48:45.129 --> 00:48:51.229
trend back yeah one food you'll never get tired of fettuccine samantha.
00:48:53.329 --> 00:49:00.089
Fettuccine samantha that's a mine too mine's crabs easy crabs right so we all
00:49:00.089 --> 00:49:03.309
grew up here so yeah i don't think i could ever get tired of crabs opening up
00:49:03.309 --> 00:49:08.289
love if social media disappeared tomorrow what would you what would you do next
00:49:08.289 --> 00:49:11.349
be less stressed right be a mom,
00:49:13.260 --> 00:49:17.320
Yeah. What would I be doing? I don't know. Get a new hobby. I don't know.
00:49:17.640 --> 00:49:22.320
What do I, I mean, probably still do stuff around the city. There's still plenty to do.
00:49:22.680 --> 00:49:26.740
Host events, help curate events. I'd probably still be working in Baltimore, honestly.
00:49:27.640 --> 00:49:30.580
Same. I'd still be taking pictures. I'm doing it.
00:49:30.780 --> 00:49:36.340
Food, I'm doing it. I have 100,000 pictures on my phone. Yeah. That's crazy.
00:49:37.180 --> 00:49:39.760
Yeah. I don't know how to clean it up. If anyone knows how to clean it up,
00:49:39.860 --> 00:49:43.940
let me know. I get nervous with those clean ups. There's so much money for that clown.
00:49:44.560 --> 00:49:47.220
Well, yeah, I pay for the clown because I'm too scared to like,
00:49:47.260 --> 00:49:51.360
if I do the cleanup app, they're going to delete it. Four terabytes. I know. It's really bad.
00:49:51.800 --> 00:49:55.520
I think it's more than $100,000 at this point. Yeah. Way more. Wow. Yeah.
00:49:56.040 --> 00:49:59.740
It's a lot. And a lot of the same. It's like, how many photos do I need of this crab cake?
00:50:00.760 --> 00:50:05.600
Side angle above next to it. If I type the word burger in my phone or pizza.
00:50:05.760 --> 00:50:08.940
Oh, yeah. Oh, thousands. Like 2,000 pieces of pizza will show up.
00:50:10.180 --> 00:50:13.680
But that's how I find stuff. so if i want to do a carousel carousels
00:50:13.680 --> 00:50:17.480
are like trending right now so if you right so carousels
00:50:17.480 --> 00:50:20.100
is that how you do it yeah just type it in that's a good
00:50:20.100 --> 00:50:22.740
idea i mean i'll do
00:50:22.740 --> 00:50:25.400
carousels but that's not how i find them i'm like oh i'm gonna
00:50:25.400 --> 00:50:28.400
do the top like i was talking that's a good idea like top
00:50:28.400 --> 00:50:31.380
10 burgers and i like know the
00:50:31.380 --> 00:50:34.600
five in my head that i want to feature but i can't remember
00:50:34.600 --> 00:50:37.940
when the last time i went to one of them was i'll write burger and
00:50:37.940 --> 00:50:41.100
they all come up i use the geotag location for everything if
00:50:41.100 --> 00:50:43.760
i need to go back to a restaurant wait in google if you
00:50:43.760 --> 00:50:48.560
go in google maps you can do it by map and then you just zoom in and you it'll
00:50:48.560 --> 00:50:51.580
show you all the pictures that you took in that area so if i need to find a
00:50:51.580 --> 00:50:55.700
restaurant i'll go to the restaurant and zoom in and it pops up oh that automatically
00:50:55.700 --> 00:51:00.180
happens yeah well that's just saving me a lot of time we need to we need to
00:51:00.180 --> 00:51:02.820
talk we need to talk more because i'll figure this stuff out,
00:51:03.640 --> 00:51:08.080
well the iphone yeah okay of course obviously on the iphone what do you mean
00:51:08.080 --> 00:51:11.260
pizza what other option is there. Yeah, you think mine was a good idea?
00:51:13.035 --> 00:51:15.335
It's like when you search things like cheese, that doesn't work.
00:51:15.795 --> 00:51:17.335
So like. Yeah. Yeah. Location.
00:51:17.775 --> 00:51:22.195
Pizza, burger. Yeah. That's how I search. I didn't even think to use the geo,
00:51:22.475 --> 00:51:25.275
but I don't know. And all your pictures from that location will pop up.
00:51:25.435 --> 00:51:29.315
So all of your Lascala pictures and it'll separate. Oh, I have a Lascala folder at this point.
00:51:31.675 --> 00:51:36.295
That's it. Pro tips. The last question. Snowballs or ice cream?
00:51:37.735 --> 00:51:40.495
Oh, they're like in two different categories. But you can do both.
00:51:40.815 --> 00:51:43.335
I know, but you can only pick one. Oh. I pick one. That's tough.
00:51:43.655 --> 00:51:45.755
I don't like that question. Because I have to pick ice cream,
00:51:45.875 --> 00:51:48.595
but I love a good snowball. What about the snowball flavor?
00:51:48.955 --> 00:51:51.615
Have you been to Ice Queens, where you can do both? I know, right.
00:51:51.735 --> 00:51:54.115
Ice Queens. Ice Queens is my answer. And then add a beignet.
00:51:54.255 --> 00:51:55.095
Yeah, you love Ice Queens.
00:51:55.615 --> 00:51:58.175
I've been there. You have snowballs and ice cream and ice queens.
00:51:58.195 --> 00:52:03.175
There's a place out on Liberty Road where they do both. Yeah. What's it called?
00:52:03.715 --> 00:52:05.135
The Hawaiian Snowball Santa. Yeah, the Hawaiian Snowball Santa.
00:52:05.135 --> 00:52:07.315
That's my favorite place. Does everyone know this?
00:52:07.895 --> 00:52:12.095
That is my absolute, that's my number one, and I get a cherry snowball with ice cream on top.
00:52:12.535 --> 00:52:16.155
You guys just cheated the answer there. We did. Right. Thanks.
00:52:16.715 --> 00:52:19.755
But I love Taharka. Oh, I do like Taharka, yes.
00:52:20.095 --> 00:52:23.275
Baltimore has really good ice cream. That's why I said it's hard to pick because,
00:52:24.115 --> 00:52:25.835
yeah, you have so much good ice cream.
00:52:26.335 --> 00:52:29.395
Taharka, I really like Sydney's ice cream. Oh, the graham cracker?
00:52:29.575 --> 00:52:31.635
Sydney's is good too, yeah. Yeah. Northeast?
00:52:32.515 --> 00:52:35.555
I feel like I'm leaving out people. Who else do we like?
00:52:36.355 --> 00:52:41.275
I don't know. You were the cookie monster guy. Oh, yeah, be more licks.
00:52:41.635 --> 00:52:43.175
Yeah, be more licks. Yes, right.
00:52:43.915 --> 00:52:47.355
Yes. The Charmary's one. Yeah, we have so many good ice cream shops.
00:52:47.955 --> 00:52:49.055
Charmary, it's been a while. Yeah.
00:52:49.875 --> 00:52:53.795
So are we all getting ice cream now? Sounds like it. Negative 10 degrees.
00:52:54.455 --> 00:52:55.635
Right, I get that. Snowballs.
00:52:56.435 --> 00:53:00.355
We can have it with like warm apple pie or something. That'll cancel it out.
00:53:01.035 --> 00:53:04.035
I'm probably going to Maggie's after this, I think. Aw.
00:53:05.518 --> 00:53:10.278
How can people find you guys if they want to reach out to you guys? Just wrap it one big bow.
00:53:10.858 --> 00:53:14.458
Sure. At Eat More, Be More on all the socials. And then my email is just Chris
00:53:14.458 --> 00:53:18.238
at EatMoreBeMore.com. We can slide in your DMs. You can. Okay.
00:53:18.738 --> 00:53:20.878
They may go into the spam folder, but I'll try.
00:53:21.838 --> 00:53:27.158
That's such a thing. You all can follow me at Charm City Table on Instagram,
00:53:27.518 --> 00:53:30.618
TikTok, Facebook, threads.
00:53:31.658 --> 00:53:34.878
And if you want to email, it's Charm City Table at gmail.com.
00:53:35.518 --> 00:53:41.338
And I am in Baltimore Food Scene on Instagram and TikTok and Facebook.
00:53:42.438 --> 00:53:47.778
And yeah. Oh, and Baltimore Food Scene 410 at gmail.com. Made that a long time ago.
00:53:48.798 --> 00:53:52.878
Same for my email. Well, I want to thank all you guys for coming out.
00:53:53.018 --> 00:53:54.898
Thank you guys. Thank you. Thank you for having us. Thank you.
00:53:55.218 --> 00:53:58.378
Thank you, everyone. Yeah, thank you so much. So nice.