Thursday, October 04, 2007

Food Career??


"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".

Yes, John. You were right, of course.

Funny how up until a few months ago I was convinced that art would become my work. But as it turns out, food has blissfully taken over my life. So much that I'm dreaming up recipes in the middle of the night or trying to come up with interesting work-related ideas. Aside from my cooking classes, I've met with two editors in the past week, had a meeting with a client I am catering for (French dinner!), and am now a food writer for an online expat magazine! And there's still proposals coming my way! It's all very exciting and I'm especially enjoying meeting so many interesting people, in the food business and otherwise.

Perhaps only a start, but I've always believed that with hard work and motivation, you can get anywhere. Off to pour myself a well-deserved glass!

PS: For those interested, click on the following link to read my article and get the recipe for the pie in the picture! Dutch Apple Pie, featured on Expatica

10 comments:

Noah Oliphant said...

I couldn't agree more! I have a full time job and keep pretty busy but can't stop thinking about food and recipes. Love the blog.

http://www.reciperate.com

N

Kelly-Jane said...

That is such great news Paola! I've said before on here that you could certainly write great foodie articles, your travelling articles are much better than any I've ever read in magazines :)

Anonymous said...

Life is full of interesting surprises :) Right now I'm toying with the idea of going to a cooking school.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! Looking forward to all of your work! And, I definitely can relate, my job fell into my lap after a series of coincidental circumstances. And I love it! We're so lucky!

Sarah Nicole said...

Can I shyly ask how you went about getting published in a magazine? I need a push and some suggestions for I write as well, just not necessarily about food; my niche is in observational editorials. I have many connections in Puerto Rico, however they are for work in written in Spanish but my style is much too American. And although they may be connections they stop in within the island and so any help in garnering ones in the English speaking world seems lost. So I wonder if you could tell me how you got the guts to go to a magazine and submit your work. Or was the doing of editor? Great article by the way, and the recipe sounds fab!

Muchos besos y felicidades,
Sarah (AKA Snicolilla from N.com)

Gloria Baker said...

Paola, I think is so nice, and is the life so full of surprises,and I like so your articles and when you talk about food and countries Paola. Congrats,xxxxxxx Gloria

Mara said...

Wow, life is speeding up at your place, girl! I'm exhausted just by reading what you're going through atm LOL But you live your life so passionately (and as passionately as I wish I could), you'll succeed, I know, I know!

Congratulations and all the best wishes for your new career :))

The pie looks amazing :P

Paola Westbeek said...

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement everyone!

Noah, thanks for the link to your site. I will certainly check it out!

KJ, you've always been very encouraging and I've really appreciated that! Thanks!

Cooking Ninja, go for it!! Best of luck!

Hillary, Thanks! I'm glad life has also treated you well and you have work you love!

Sarah, how nice to see you here! I must tell you that aside from the bits and pieces I've done in the past for two expat magazines (I had my own column in one called "A Perfect Balance"), I never really considered doing something with writing. Especially after I began studying the Dutch culture and thought any writing in my career would only involve writing research papers for expositions!
I basically am not very shy when it comes to approaching people and showing them what I can do. I also think that in this business it's all about networking and at least getting a chance to meet the right people. In my spare time I browse the internet to get ideas about what's out there and what people might want. There's a few places I contacted which weren't really doing much with food. One of them bit, the other one I'm hoping will too! I'm in the middle of writing something for them now, after meeting with the editor recently. The best tip I can give you is to not be shy and contact people. Show them what you do (with all the confidence in the world!) and keep yourself up to date with what people want in your field, or what might be missing.

Saludos y abrazos...y suerte!

Gloria, gracias a ti tambien! Que bueno que te gustan mis articulos!

Mara, it IS exhausting...but wonderful as well! At the moment I'm working on three projects at the same time..and thinking about the next recipe! Thanks for your kind words!

Paola

Anna's kitchen table said...

Paola, I'm so impressed.
We'll be able to say we knew you before you were famous soon...:-)
xx

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Paola, that is the ideal job for you! Enjoy this new chapter in life!
xxxx