Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolina Rodman.
Carolina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My culinary background started in 2005, I am Le Cordon Bleu trained and after graduating, I worked under the famous Dean Fearing when he was still (Executive Chef) at the Mansion on Turtle Creek. I learned so much about creativity, technique and how to be most efficient in a fast-paced environment.
I then moved to Buenos Aires (Argentina) to continue my gastronomic education and career but I had a small shift in my story. I started my corporate career at a Big 4 firm and loved the corporate world that I put food on hold. Fast forward 13 years, married, with a toddler, I decided to take a hiatus from work. Right before I resigned my executive role in the staffing industry, I decided to do something I am passionate about. It was a no brainer to go back to my roots, the food world. This work break gave me the guts to create Nosh Citizen.
With Nosh Citizen, I wanted to be different than other food bloggers or foodies on Instagram. I wanted to offer more than just pretty pictures of food. I figured nosh-food lovers would crave fun food facts, exposure to different types of cuisine, showcasing healthy products, seeing step by step videos and not have to go to a blog to get the full recipe. Interacting with my followers and showing my “art” and creativity is simply euphoric. Recently due to requests, I have started listing ingredients needed for an upcoming dish I am making. That way followers can plan ahead of time. The biggest compliment has been receiving so many private messages with pictures of nosh citizen recipes they’ve made, or a request for a dish! I connect with these food lovers! My recipes show technique and a foundation for any dish as well as the health benefits.
After all, food has connected people for millennia and Nosh Citizen carries on the tradition.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been a smooth road and learning so much with each post and each Instagram story. My followers guide me on what they want to see, hear and cook. Obstacle: I don’t have a blog/website yet, so my portfolio and dishes are just on my Instagram page. It has been a steady organic growth in followers, but exposure on other social media platforms could be a catalyst for growth.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Nosh Citizen story. Tell us more about it.
I am a food enthusiast, culinary trained but my education in gastronomy has really been through my travels around the world, my roots and family. My parents are South American; I’m from the US but spent many years of my childhood in Mexico City, summers in Puerto Rico, married a Swede and basically am of Italian and Spanish descent. Hard not to be a food enthusiast.
Nosh Citizen is a food profile on Instagram that focuses on whole foods and clean eating. My dishes tell a story, I share nutrition facts and benefits of certain foods. I show step by step recipes and showcase spices, dried chiles, and recipes from around the world. Once in a while, I do food reviews from restaurants in Dallas and my travels.
I am known for offering a lot of cooking tips, do it ahead tips, not wasting food and recreating recipes. I am not labeled with a type of cooking, sometimes it is gluten-free other times it is not, sometimes there’s vegan dishes, other times there’s a pork tenderloin recipe. I love dorking out with food history, food trivia. It has its own highlight section. Some posts list the history behind the recipe too! Did you know that tiramisu started in brothels, or that honey never spoils? That is how I try to be different! In addition, all recipes are listed in posts or stories, no need to go to a link or blog/website.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think our industry has changed already! You didn’t have foodies exposing their food on social media! People are really into healthy food, whole food, clean eating. The world is globalized and we are truly introduced to the gastronomy of other countries.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am taking it one step at a time. I am excited to see what doors may open. Maybe it’s a cookbook, cooking school, Nosh Citizen brand, a show, so many things could come from Nosh Citizen. I am doing what I love the most, spending time with my family, traveling, cooking and being a nosh citizen. Interacting with my followers getting their requests is the best compliment and keeps the creativity for new content going. I have so many ideas of where to take Nosh Citizen but I like thinking one step at a time.
Contact Info:
- Email: noshcitizen@gmail.com, carolina@noshcitizen.com
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