My Name is Giovanna and I'm a Food Critic

what are we doing and how did we get here??

Hi friends!!

Most of you have no idea what this is or why Giovanna/Gia/Jo is sending you a newsletter you didn’t subscribe to. Well…SURPRISEEE…I’m launching a food newsletter 🎉 (I guess I can say I launched a food newsletter since if you’re reading this, it’s been launched.)

I am literally jumping up and down as I’m writing this because I can’t contain my excitement that I am finally sending out my first newsletter. If you know me you know food was my first love ❤️ 

I’ve always had 2 things I wanted to be when I grow up: a wife and a mom. While those are still top 2, I’ve been reflecting on my identity outside of the nurturer/supporter that I’ve always fallen into. “What do I actually want to do besides fall in love and get married and mother kids?” Well, there’s quite a few things on that list that I’m also working on, but becoming a food critic is one of them!

I’m claiming it and I’ve already started introducing myself as one because why not? I’m at a point in my life where I’m taking my visions from ideation to execution and not overthinking things. Old me would’ve never even launched this newsletter because I would’ve found 100 reasons why I wasn’t ready yet. But look at me now 💃🏽

So - what does a food critic even mean? There’s the new age Keith Lee’s of the world on TikTok - who I must say has been a huge inspiration for me! Then there’s also the food critics who are editors for major publications like NYT, Food and Wine, or Eater. I’m open to wherever this journey takes me, but I’ve started on TikTok with 38 videos posted so far. Interacting with other people who are just as excited about the food I’m posting brings me so much joy!! I love when people comment to tell me they’re planning birthday dinners at restaurants after I posted my review, or asking me questions about the menu and trusting my suggestions! One of my recent videos is up to 190,000 views and I reached my first 1,000 followers yesterday…which absolutely blows my mind 🤯 (Don’t worry - the video is at the bottom of this email because I want you to get through my newsletter before I lose you to the rabbit hole of social media)

quick interlude to sing me happy birthday because today is, in fact, my 27th birthday 🎉

🎤 “i wanna say happyyyyy birthdayyyyy to you! now close your eyes, and make that wish, think about it, and blow out your candles” 🎵🎶

here for the fun and unapologetically here for the coin

Let’s be real, I also have a goal of getting paid to eat. This could come through various streams - brand deals, restaurant sponsorships, Tiktok’s Creativity Program, YouTube’s Partner Program, etc.

This didn’t start as “I want to make money, how can I do that? Oh I’ll just post food videos.” No. It was more of I’m surrounded by people who have pursued their passions (my brothers, my husband, my employer-turned-friend, the entire art community here in Baltimore…the list goes on) so this really started as “What would I be doing solely based off passion if a paycheck wasn’t the motive?”

My main goal through it all is to maintain the same passion I have while I’m doing this here at the beginning with no financial gain. I don’t want to lose sight of my initial interest nor allow the business side to drain the fun out of it. I can’t imagine a world where I don’t enjoy eating but I just want to do it for the right reasons, you know? I wanted to claim that out loud as I kick this off so yall can hold me accountable. If a year from now my newsletter or any of my content feels inauthentic, I’m giving you permission to call me out lol.

I’ve also been brainstorming ways I can use my platform to give back to the community through food. Lots of ideas and I’ll share more later!

For now, I’ll keep yall updated and y’all will keep me accountable, deal?

new name, who dis?

I am also very open to your suggestions for my food personality name. Should it be just my first and last name like Beyoncé Knowles type vibes? Or something fun like Charm City Table or Cousin Kim? (HUGE SHOUTOUT TO THEM BC I WILL FANGIRL WHEN I MEET THEM IRL) Anyway, if y’all have any name ideas, respond to this email and lmk.