All Of It: Recipes To 'Wow' Your Social Feed Summary

Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Alison Reedy, Food Writer and Restaurant Critic
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Podcast: All Of It by WNYC

Introduction: The Intersection of Food and Social Media

In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart delves into the captivating world where food meets social media with her guest, Alison Reedy, a seasoned food writer and restaurant critic from Colorado. Reedy discusses her latest venture, "The Phone Eats First Cookbook: 50 of Social Media's Best Recipes to Feed Your Feed and Then Yourself," exploring how digital platforms have revolutionized the way we cook, share, and consume food.

Embracing the Digital Culinary Landscape

Skepticism to Advocacy
Initially hesitant about social media, Reedy shares her transformation from skepticism to advocacy. She reveals,

"I was very reluctant to join Instagram because I was like, do people really want to see what I'm eating?" (02:00).
However, under her editor's encouragement, she discovered the vast potential social media holds for food enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Enhancing Traditional Media
Social media content creators and influencers have become invaluable to traditional media by spotlighting emerging food trends and hidden culinary gems. Reedy notes,

"Having these influencers help alert us to what's out there and what's good is really helpful for us in traditional media." (02:44).

Crafting the Phone Eats First Cookbook

Selection Process
Reedy collaborated with her 13-year-old daughter to navigate the dynamic world of TikTok, identifying standout recipes amid numerous viral attempts.

"I made a lot of bad things...my daughter helped me find a lot of these food creators on TikTok." (04:18).
This hands-on approach ensured that only the most visually appealing and delicious recipes made the cut.

Balancing Celebration and Critique
The cookbook both celebrates the ingenuity of social media recipes and humorously critiques the less successful attempts. Reedy mentions,

"One out of three people orders food with no intention of eating it, but posting like the photo on their TikTok or Instagram." (14:16).

Spotlight on Viral Recipes

Lasagna Soup
A standout recipe, Lasagna Soup, combines traditional lasagna ingredients in a convenient soup form, making the beloved dish more accessible and quicker to prepare. Reedy describes,

"It's all those flavors that you would get in lasagna...just throwing everything into a giant pot and cooking it all together." (07:46).

Birria Tacos
Another viral sensation, Birria Tacos, exemplifies how Instagram can elevate regional dishes to national prominence.

"An LA influencer took a picture of these Birria tacos, and seven years later, they're on almost every menu of every Mexican restaurant." (19:58).

Global Inspirations
Reedy's cookbook features international recipes, such as Ruben Bondi's authentic Italian Cacio e Pepe and innovative Asian dishes like Rice Paper Dumplings, highlighting the global influence on modern home cooking.

Mastering Food Photography

Essential Tips
Reedy offers practical photography advice to enhance the visual appeal of food on social media:

• Overhead Shots:

  "When in doubt, overhead it out." (09:45).

• Action Shots: Capture elements like a cheese pull or drips to add dynamism.
• Color and Garnish: Use vibrant garnishes to make dishes stand out against lighter backgrounds.

Algorithm Insights
While uncharted, Reedy observes that certain photographic elements seem favored by Instagram and TikTok algorithms, enhancing post visibility and engagement.

"It seems that way, like based on what it gives me, that's what they've figured out for me at least." (10:36).

Listener Stories and Interactions

Connecting Through Food
Listeners shared personal anecdotes illustrating how food photography fosters connections:

• Kyle from Stratford appreciates the artistry in plating and uses food photos as a visual journal.
• Jeanette from Murray Hill highlights using food pictures to stay connected with her sisters across different time zones.
• Isaac from Brooklyn recounts sharing food photos with a friend undergoing cancer treatment as a form of daily check-ins.

Pandemic Influence
Reedy discusses how COVID-19 accelerated the trend of sharing food online, turning it into a primary means of maintaining social bonds during isolation.

"It was like the best possible free advertisement for TikTok... a way to connect with people that you're not immediately with." (25:40).

The Evolution of Food Trends During COVID-19

Dalgona Coffee Chocolate Cake
A notable COVID-era recipe that combines the popular Dalgona coffee trend with rich chocolate cake, resulting in a moist and flavorful dessert with a frothy coffee-infused frosting. Reedy praises,

"It's the best chocolate cake that I've ever had... you get that frothiness and the slightly coffee flavor in the frosting." (27:09).

Community Building
Reedy emphasizes how sharing recipes and food photos online created communities that persisted beyond the pandemic, fostering lasting relationships and cultural exchanges.

Visual Appeal vs. Taste

The Power of Appearance
Reedy acknowledges that while vibrant and photogenic dishes gain popularity online, their visual allure often enhances the perceived taste experience.

"Food is just as much of a visual medium as it is a taste medium. If something is a vibrant color and beautiful to look at, it makes the flavor that much more satisfying." (23:48).

Balancing Aesthetics and Flavor
While some recipes excel in appearance, others might fall short in taste, highlighting the balance creators must achieve to satisfy both visual and culinary expectations.

Conclusion: Celebrating a Digital Culinary Revolution

Alison Reede's "The Phone Eats First Cookbook" encapsulates the symbiotic relationship between food and social media, showcasing how digital platforms have democratized culinary creativity and influenced eating habits globally. Through engaging discussions and listener interactions, the episode underscores the profound impact of visual storytelling on our food culture, celebrating both its innovations and its challenges.

For those inspired to elevate their culinary creations both in the kitchen and online, "The Phone Eats First Cookbook" offers a comprehensive guide to making dishes that are as delightful to taste as they are to share.