A food writer pens articles, reviews, and columns about food and restaurants for print publications and digital media outlets. Food writing covers many topics, from cookbooks and restaurant reviews to recipe writing and articles about food industry trends. There are different types of food writer jobs: Food journalists can work as staff writers or [freelance writers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-freelance-writer) for the food section of general interest magazines, newspapers, digital media outlets, or food magazines. Some food writers are independent food bloggers who create and write food content for their food blog or [podcast](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/starting-a-podcast). 

The average salary for full-time food writers varies depending on skill level, location (New York and Los Angeles are media hubs), and years of experience. Food journalists may choose to follow a career path that leads to editor positions, such as food editor or senior editor.
A food writer covers many subjects in the food and restaurant industries. Here are some of the primary duties of a food writer:

1. __Craft food reviews and recipes__: Food writers inform readers about good food—where to find it and how to make it. This includes testing and writing recipes, sampling new food products, and covering the best food from different regions and cultures.
2. __Cover food trends__: Staying on top (or ahead) of the latest food trends is a major component of food writing. Food journalists review the best new [kitchen tools](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gordon-ramsays-list-of-essential-kitchen-tools) for readers and explore new ways to prepare food or innovative strategies for growing and preserving food to promote [sustainability](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reduce-food-waste).
3. __Review restaurants__: Many food writers work exclusively as restaurant critics. As a [food critic](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-food-critic), you interview restaurant owners and write about the food served at new restaurants—assessing the dining experience as a whole, including ambiance, service, and prices. 
4. __Write books__: Food writing may lead to publishing a book about food. Prominent food writers like Julia Child, Jeffrey Steingarten, M.F.K. Fisher, Anthony Bourdain, and Michael Pollan wrote best-selling [cookbooks](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-and-publish-a-cookbook) or books about the food industry.
Here are three tips to help you on your path as a food writer: 

1. __Build your portfolio__. Editors at food publications want candidates with experience writing food stories, so creating a portfolio of published work is essential. Excellent writing skills and [communication](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication) skills are necessary for food writing jobs.
2. __Learn about the food industry__. Experience in the culinary arts or restaurant industry helps you understand how to make different types of food and gives you valuable insight into how a restaurant’s kitchen operates. Consider taking a job at a restaurant or café to get hands-on food industry experience.
3. __Get an education__. Receiving your high school diploma or GED and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a field like <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing","linkCopy":"creative writing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>creative writing</a>, journalism, or communications is not necessary but may increase your chances of landing a job as a food writer. Some food journalists also attend culinary school to get a thorough understanding of how to prepare food.
Become a better writer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership] (https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Michael W. Twitty, Roxane Gay, Walter Mosley, Amy Tan, David Sedaris, Margaret Atwood, and more.
Food writers author recipes, restaurant reviews, and other food-related articles. Learn more about this role in food media and discover tips to become a food writer.

Food writers author recipes, restaurant reviews, and other food-related articles. Learn more about this role in food media and discover tips to become a food writer.

Food Writer Careers: 4 Responsibilities of a Food Writer

A food writer pens articles, reviews, and columns about food and restaurants for print publications and digital media outlets. Food writing covers many topics, from cookbooks and restaurant reviews to recipe writing and articles about food industry trends. There are different types of food writer jobs: Food journalists can work as staff writers or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-freelance-writer' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-freelance-writer","linkCopy":"freelance writers","category":null}'>freelance writers</a> for the food section of general interest magazines, newspapers, digital media outlets, or food magazines. Some food writers are independent food bloggers who create and write food content for their food blog or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/starting-a-podcast' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/starting-a-podcast","linkCopy":"podcast","category":null}'>podcast</a>. The average salary for full-time food writers varies depending on skill level, location (New York and Los Angeles are media hubs), and years of experience. Food journalists may choose to follow a career path that leads to editor positions, such as food editor or senior editor.

What Is a Food Writer?

A food writer covers many subjects in the food and restaurant industries. Here are some of the primary duties of a food writer:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Craft food reviews and recipes: Food writers inform readers about good food—where to find it and how to make it. This includes testing and writing recipes, sampling new food products, and covering the best food from different regions and cultures. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Cover food trends: Staying on top (or ahead) of the latest food trends is a major component of food writing. Food journalists review the best new <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gordon-ramsays-list-of-essential-kitchen-tools' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gordon-ramsays-list-of-essential-kitchen-tools","linkCopy":"kitchen tools","category":null}'>kitchen tools</a> for readers and explore new ways to prepare food or innovative strategies for growing and preserving food to promote <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reduce-food-waste' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-reduce-food-waste","linkCopy":"sustainability","category":null}'>sustainability</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Review restaurants: Many food writers work exclusively as restaurant critics. As a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-food-critic' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-food-critic","linkCopy":"food critic","category":null}'>food critic</a>, you interview restaurant owners and write about the food served at new restaurants—assessing the dining experience as a whole, including ambiance, service, and prices. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Write books: Food writing may lead to publishing a book about food. Prominent food writers like Julia Child, Jeffrey Steingarten, M.F.K. Fisher, Anthony Bourdain, and Michael Pollan wrote best-selling <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-and-publish-a-cookbook' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-and-publish-a-cookbook","linkCopy":"cookbooks","category":null}'>cookbooks</a> or books about the food industry. </li></ol>

4 Responsibilities of a Food Writer 

Here are three tips to help you on your path as a food writer: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Build your portfolio. Editors at food publications want candidates with experience writing food stories, so creating a portfolio of published work is essential. Excellent writing skills and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communication","category":null}'>communication</a> skills are necessary for food writing jobs. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Learn about the food industry. Experience in the culinary arts or restaurant industry helps you understand how to make different types of food and gives you valuable insight into how a restaurant’s kitchen operates. Consider taking a job at a restaurant or café to get hands-on food industry experience. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Get an education. Receiving your high school diploma or GED and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a field like <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/creative-writing-vs-content-writing","linkCopy":"creative writing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>creative writing</a>, journalism, or communications is not necessary but may increase your chances of landing a job as a food writer. Some food journalists also attend culinary school to get a thorough understanding of how to prepare food. </li></ol>

How to Become a Food Writer: 3 Tips

Become a better writer with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Michael W. Twitty, Roxane Gay, Walter Mosley, Amy Tan, David Sedaris, Margaret Atwood, and more.

Want to Learn More About Writing?

Food writers author recipes, restaurant reviews, and other food-related articles. Learn more about this role in food media and discover tips to become a food writer.

Food writers author recipes, restaurant reviews, and other food-related articles. Learn more about this role in food media and discover tips to become a food writer.
