The best thing I learned on social media was how to slice through small fruit and berries by putting them between two plastic container lids. Otherwise, I want people to speak less, show more technique, and have a voice as soothing as Ina Garten. (Julia excepted.) Jacques Pepin is still a superior content provider. But then, I am old and easily annoyed.
This explains a lot about what happens when someone at work (all chronically on social media) tells me they found a great recipe and I (only occasionally on Substack) ask them to tell me it…they never actually know it.
I admit to watching one recipe content creator’s Instagram videos because her hands as she chops, scoops into a pan, stirs, and plates are like watching a dance. She also doesn’t shout or try to be funny. It’s kind of soothing.
Who are you talking about? I'm interested in finding people using these forms to create content that is great for them. Hope that comes across in the piece.
Justine Doiron @justine_snacks is her instagram address. I think she has a way of presenting the recipe that doesn't feel rushed. She has a nice website that contains her actual recipes...so you don't feel like you have to watch for the measurement details. She interacts with her followers in a helpful way.
I just checked out her account and really like it. I think a big part of that is that right there in the caption is the link to the website with full recipe info. I don't have to go off to the bio only to find that the link is no longer to the relevant recipe because I've only come across the insta post a while later. I don't have to send an inane comment to get a link DMed to me. I can just copy and paste the link she provides straight into a browser. Thanks for the recommendation!
And Will, thanks too for the Sandwiches of history guy reco, I love it!
I, too, like Justine’s work, in part because she does as Wil says: She infuses her videos with life-writing, with tales of her relationship to the food she’s cooking. The context she provides makes her videos actually tolerable—like a food experience itself.
Oh how I agree with this piece, Wil. I’ve grown quite inured to the repeated rip of sliced sourdough over a mundane pan of beans. And the dance they all do upon trying a bite of said beans. I’ve tried some of these bean “recipes,” when I had nothing else in mind to cook—none made my eyes roll back in my head.
There’s a reason I read Diana Henry’s “Roast Figs, Sugar Snow,” even though my lovely list of food intolerances keeps me from enjoying nearly any of her recipes: Her “life-writing” is so evocative, so engaging that I don’t care whether I can eat the dish. It’s a lived experience itself.
Praise the lord, Wil! Thank you--feel so less alone. I have given up/ turned away from almost all social media, some for reasons you noted, and increasingly because it does little to portray the life that happens around a table. Most of all, it just takes away too much time from writing. There just isn't enough time in the world to do both. Except for Sandwiches of History--I love that guy! And Vine....I so miss Vine and how vibrant it was.
You're very kind, Pat. Glad you enjoyed the piece and thanks for reading! I know I'm missing out by not using social to promote myself someway, but I just don't have the time. I really am impressed by writers who manage to do it all.
I just feel time slipping away everytime I check in to social media. Plus my brain-width tends to short circuit then explode with the attempt to do more. Or maybe that shows how limited my time/creativity is. It needs so much protecting to get anywhere.
Oh but Caz isn't Nigella at least subtle about it all, just a little cheeky? Some of these creators I'm talking about here are just so explicit to the point it's just weird to me, it feels like a different thing entirely.
The problem is the young 'uns, who think they understood what Lawson was doing, and believe they've put a personal and modernized spin on her schtick. They're sadly mistaken. 😂
The best thing I learned on social media was how to slice through small fruit and berries by putting them between two plastic container lids. Otherwise, I want people to speak less, show more technique, and have a voice as soothing as Ina Garten. (Julia excepted.) Jacques Pepin is still a superior content provider. But then, I am old and easily annoyed.
Can I have your permission to steal "old and easily annoyed" to use for my substack bio??
This explains a lot about what happens when someone at work (all chronically on social media) tells me they found a great recipe and I (only occasionally on Substack) ask them to tell me it…they never actually know it.
Not surprised to read this, Marina.
Thank you so much for the mention. I think you are doing a wonderful job as is, stay well clear of social for as long as you can ;)
You're welcome! And thanks for reading.
I admit to watching one recipe content creator’s Instagram videos because her hands as she chops, scoops into a pan, stirs, and plates are like watching a dance. She also doesn’t shout or try to be funny. It’s kind of soothing.
Who are you talking about? I'm interested in finding people using these forms to create content that is great for them. Hope that comes across in the piece.
Justine Doiron @justine_snacks is her instagram address. I think she has a way of presenting the recipe that doesn't feel rushed. She has a nice website that contains her actual recipes...so you don't feel like you have to watch for the measurement details. She interacts with her followers in a helpful way.
I just checked out her account and really like it. I think a big part of that is that right there in the caption is the link to the website with full recipe info. I don't have to go off to the bio only to find that the link is no longer to the relevant recipe because I've only come across the insta post a while later. I don't have to send an inane comment to get a link DMed to me. I can just copy and paste the link she provides straight into a browser. Thanks for the recommendation!
And Will, thanks too for the Sandwiches of history guy reco, I love it!
I just love that account of his. Thanks for reading Kavita!
If only Instagram allowed you to click directly on a link in a caption.
Yes, such a pain!
Oh yeah…I forgot…the sandwich guy….my son told me about him. Very fun to watch.
I, too, like Justine’s work, in part because she does as Wil says: She infuses her videos with life-writing, with tales of her relationship to the food she’s cooking. The context she provides makes her videos actually tolerable—like a food experience itself.
I also really like Justine, thank you for mentioning her. She is also active on Substack at https://justinesnacks.substack.com/
Oh how I agree with this piece, Wil. I’ve grown quite inured to the repeated rip of sliced sourdough over a mundane pan of beans. And the dance they all do upon trying a bite of said beans. I’ve tried some of these bean “recipes,” when I had nothing else in mind to cook—none made my eyes roll back in my head.
There’s a reason I read Diana Henry’s “Roast Figs, Sugar Snow,” even though my lovely list of food intolerances keeps me from enjoying nearly any of her recipes: Her “life-writing” is so evocative, so engaging that I don’t care whether I can eat the dish. It’s a lived experience itself.
Thanks so much, Sabrina. And thanks for reading. Also, Diana Henry is such a good writer, I agree.
I'm sure I did not originate that comment!
Bravo 👊
Praise the lord, Wil! Thank you--feel so less alone. I have given up/ turned away from almost all social media, some for reasons you noted, and increasingly because it does little to portray the life that happens around a table. Most of all, it just takes away too much time from writing. There just isn't enough time in the world to do both. Except for Sandwiches of History--I love that guy! And Vine....I so miss Vine and how vibrant it was.
You're very kind, Pat. Glad you enjoyed the piece and thanks for reading! I know I'm missing out by not using social to promote myself someway, but I just don't have the time. I really am impressed by writers who manage to do it all.
I just feel time slipping away everytime I check in to social media. Plus my brain-width tends to short circuit then explode with the attempt to do more. Or maybe that shows how limited my time/creativity is. It needs so much protecting to get anywhere.
Nigela Lawson has a lot to answer for.
Oh but Caz isn't Nigella at least subtle about it all, just a little cheeky? Some of these creators I'm talking about here are just so explicit to the point it's just weird to me, it feels like a different thing entirely.
Lawson didn't even pretend to be subtle.
The problem is the young 'uns, who think they understood what Lawson was doing, and believe they've put a personal and modernized spin on her schtick. They're sadly mistaken. 😂
Haha, I think we agree on that point. 😊
Subtle as a muddy boot print.
Starting to think my use of the word subtle was a poor choice here. 😂 Tho compared to young personalities online, I think even a muddy boot is subtle.