Jenn Sanza - Flavor is 99% The Deciding Factor to Try Food Again (Food Blogger From USA )

I have a very good palate and love all types of food. If I have to choose a favorite it would have to be American Spaghetti and meatballs. And as for the genre of food well that would defiantly be comfort food.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I grew up in a small town in Hamlin New York. I always fancied anything that was creative. Got average grades and had a small group of friends; typical nerd. I got married right out of high school and quickly became a mother. That’s when I decided I needed to further my education. I attended Monroe Community college for my first year. Wasn’t quite sure at that time what I wanted to take all I know is I had low test scores and needed to take classes to help me catch up. Being Dyslexic has its struggles when you go to school, but I didn’t let that stop me. 

After quite a few semesters I fell into a healthy cooking class with Mrs. Bartell. That’s when I fell in love with cooking. In 2011 I graduated with an Associate in Hospitality Management. After, I worked at a plethora of different kitchens. Nothing ever seemed right, it felt mundane and I wanted to create things. In 2013, I purchased my first camera and instantly fell in love. 

At that point, I was oversaturating and vignetting all my images because I didn’t know the first thing about photography. At first, I watched everything possible on Youtube to learn more about pictures. It just became one disaster after another. Taking pictures defiantly was more than click and shoot, and I was defiantly a novice to the idea. I started investing in lessons and eventually, things started to click; pun intended. For a short time, I took portraits for friends and family and realized that I wanted to do so much more. 

In 2019 I started talking to a small group of togs that eventually became very great friends. Bryan, Ray, and Mike. At the time, I didn’t realize they were going to be the push I needed. I learned a great deal of technical lighting from these three. It may be only an opinion but learning lighting is a game changer. In 2020, my sales went to zero, the economy went to a standstill and people were scared to be around one another. 

It was awful. So to keep time I started cooking different meals and posting them on my Facebook. At this time it was not clicking that I should be taking out my camera and lighting to take the pictures. Silly me!!! Eventually though after seeing all the wonderful pictures online I decided… this is me! That’s when I decided to take Emma’s class on food Photography. 

In her class, I realized that I was missing the marketing aspect of my journey. Slowly I started building my profile and working on marketing leads. This has definitely been a bumpy road, however, I cannot see myself doing anything other than what I love to do. I get excited about every job and creating food images.

2. What is your favorite cuisine and dish?

This is actually a very hard question. I have a very good palate and love all types of food. If I have to choose a favorite it would have to be American Spaghetti and meatballs. And as for the genre of food well that would defiantly be comfort food.

3. Should food blogging be just a passion or become a regular career?

Food blogging I’ve noticed has become popular with social media. It’s basically a food critic in a way. Do I think it can be a career? Most definitely. People are always looking into others’ opinions when making daily choices. Now the ability to make it a career is up to the individual's ability to market and reach their target market; as in any business.

4. Which restaurants/food joints would you recommend to food lovers?

I come from Rochester NY, home of garbage plates. I personally think that if you come into the area it is a must to grab a Garbage plate. Specifically, a cheeseburger plate or a vegan hot dog plate. Great places are Nick Tahou, Dog Town, Jimmy Z’s, and Wimpys.

5. What makes you appreciate a particular dish or restaurant and talk about it in your blog?

First and foremost, the atmosphere. Are the people friendly, is it clean? Are they well-staffed? When asking questions, do they know the menu? When it comes to the dish I eat with my eyes, so does the menu have eye-catching visuals and descriptions to make me drool and want to eat the dish. 

And last, the flavor. You don’t know how many times I’ve gone, and the food is under-seasoned and bland. The flavor is soooo important to me when eating at a place. It’s 99% the deciding factor that will I come back and have this food again.

6. Is there a dish you particularly associate yourself with?

Whatever I am, I’m the main course, the star of the show, and dripping with personality.

7. Which is your favorite book and why?

I’m going to assume the cookbook and list the book “The Weeknight cook” from Williams-Sonoma. The reason for this is this book helped me in college when I finished my final project. It will always be sentimental as it’s what helped me land my A for my final project. Is it the #1 book, no? However, it will always be #1 to me.

Brief Bio:

My name is Jennifer, and I'm the owner of Jenn Sanza Photography. I've been a full-time photographer since 2013. I'm located in Upstate NY and cater to all around the United States.

What I can do for you:

☕️ I help create media to build press kits and other promotional tools for business branding
☕️ Digital prints for establishment


Who I work with:

🍔 Food Content Creators
🍔 Food Professionals
🍔 Food Educators
🍔 Food Authors

When you choose to work with me, we work together, making sure you have high brand images that represent your vision.

I make sure everything is high quality and makes your brand look premium. With premium looks, you can increase your prices, making more profit.

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Interviewed By - Aarya Gode