A couple of months ago, we announced that our food writer, Maria Hehman, who had been with LINK from almost the beginning, would be parting ways with us (we miss you, Maria!).
I certainly didn’t think it would be two months before I announced who we had hired to replace her, but that was before I realized how many people in Northern Kentucky want to write about food.
Maria had to leave us because of her full time job, so we decided to hire four food writers who can each turn in one story per month to make it more manageable for people with, you know, lives.
We’ve had so much fun reviewing stories, and we want to personally thank everyone who took the time to apply and share writing samples with us.
Without further adieu, meet our new food writers!
Joe Schutzman
Joe is a Newport firefighter who, in his application, told us that he’s not a chef or a restaurant insider or even actually a food writer.
“What I am is a curious soul, endlessly fascinated by the ideas of place and culture and what it means to belong to them,” he wrote in his cover letter, and I must say, he had me.
Joe is, it turns out, a very good writer, and he also really likes beer. So that’s what Joe will be focusing on every month: He will go to local breweries, tell you his favorite seasonal beers and vibe check the places across NKY where you can go to get a cold one after work.
Do you have ideas or suggestions for places Joe should try? Email him at jbschutzman@gmail.com.
Beth McDaniel
Beth is in the communications field and has been writing for years.
She used to work in food service (“Remember The Anchor in OTR?” she said in her cover letter?), has self-admittedly watched way too much Food Network (before it was all competition-based shows, anyway) and loves NYTimes Cooking and all things farmers markets.
Beth will be writing about her search across NKY for the perfect … well anything. Maybe one month she’ll be in search of the best Korean restaurant in NKY, and another week she’ll be in search of the best date night spot. Whatever it is, you’ll find out about the food, the drinks and the atmosphere, all in Beth’s interesting and witty tone.
We think you’re gonna love her!
If you have somewhere you think has the perfect NKY anything, email Beth at mcdaniel.elizabeth@gmail.com.
Will Johnson
Will works in marketing and is on our editorial board here at LINK, where he gives us feedback and ideas about our coverage in the region.
Even though he majored in communications over journalism, Will can still write (that’s a dig at Will, not at communications majors, so if you did major in communications, I’m sure you can write very well!).
He also loves French Fries. How do I know this? In the three years I’ve been working with him on the editorial board, we see each other maybe four times a year. And I don’t think I could count on one hand the number of times we have had deep conversations about French Fries.
Maybe you don’t think that’s enough of a topic for a food column. But people have OPINIONS on French Fries, and there are so many options to choose from in NKY. We’re certain that even after a year of French Fry reviews, there will be lots more options for Will to try.
If you think Will should try the French Fries at a certain restaurant, or if his French Fry opinions bother you, email Will at wjohnson@messer.com.
Maggy McDonel
Maggy is our own digital editor, but she came to us from CityBeat, so we knew she had a proclivity for telling stories about culture, arts and food.
In another life, Maggy would have been Martha Stewart, and maybe she basically is. She brought homemade marshmallows to our holiday party (who even knew you could make marshmallows?) and she’s always telling us about baking bread or what amazing dish she is going to bring to a family gathering.
So we’re stoked to have Maggy on our roster of food writers.
Because she’s been with LINK since 2022, Maggy has lots of insider knowledge of the local restaurant scene, so she will be going around to talk to local chefs about the recipes for their favorite or most popular dishes.
You can expect a new food story from one of our writers to publish at LINKnky.com every Thursday morning. You can also get these stories delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for our Arts and Events newsletter.
Meghan Goth is LINK nky’s executive editor. Click here to read more Inside LINK columns from Meghan and LINK nky President and CEO Lacy Starling.
