Chef and journalist Christina Bridge tells us about her passion for food, travel and yachting, her work for industry magazines and the art of successful press trips. Christina has recently started blogging at www.pocketchef.wordpress.com
About your journalism:
What do you write about?
My main focus is worldwide gastronomy and travel, I specialise in yachting and its associated glamorous lifestyles. I also write on food and wine trends around the world.
Where are we likely to see your work?
Yacht industry magazines, AAA Magazine, TravelWorld Magazine and in the June issues of Kempinski Hotel Magazine and Eat Me Magazine. [See some of Christina’s published articles on www.issuu.com/christina.bridge]
What’s the most memorable work you’ve done?
The gastronomic video vignette that we filmed in Santorini last year, it was at a Cites of the Sea Event organised by the hoteliers and restaurants on the island. I discovered some amazing dishes and got to learn all the about the Secrets of Santorini. [See Christina’s website www.pocket-chef.com to watch this video]
What interview or feature would you love the chance to do?
I would love to interview Anthony Bourdain from No Reservations. I used to drink in the same bar as him in New York before he was famous. As a fellow chef, we can see easily beneath the tough guy veneer.
About you and PRs:
Where do you source ideas for articles?
Generally from journalist alerts and from my membership to the International Travel Writers Alliance. Also from personal experience, having lived and worked in the Greek Islands, The British Virgin Islands, The Balearic Islands, Malta, South of France, Croatia and South Florida, I have an unique insight that a one week press trip doesn’t afford the time to gain. I also have an amazing network of yacht crew around the world who are always telling me about some new place they have just dropped anchor in.
How can PRs be useful to you?
By sending accurate to the point press releases.
How and when do you like them to get in touch?
By email is preferable, when there is a newsworthy piece, new destination, restaurant opening.
Do you find press conferences, trips, parties and other events useful or an interruption?
Yes, they are very useful, if well organised, and the accompanying PR knows the destination and is not relying on the local tourist board to lead the way.
If you could make one change to the way PRs deal with you, what would it be?
That’s difficult to answer as each has their own way of working. But to summarise, efficiency and clarity of communication is highly prized amongst freelancers.
About you:
How would you pay the bills if you weren’t a journalist?
I continue with my Private Chef work as that helps me to afford to be a journalist. Probably running Mule Treks down the Grand Canyon.
If we gave you £1000, how would you spend it?
New IBM Thinkpad, this one is nearly six years old, (it’s still going well) and a Sony Mini DV Cam
What books are on your bedside table, magazines in your bag, or websites on your screen?
Books: Michael Palin’s New Europe, I’m just starting to explore this region, I love the way he writes. Alex Soyer’s The Pantropheon, my culinary bible. Roget’s Thesaurus, The Three Kahunas, a book written by my friend Jon Wright about his quest cycling around the Tropic of Cancer, in aid of cancer awareness. Mags: Eat Me Magazine. Blogs: Facebook news from my friends around the world.
[lnk|http://www.journalistdirectory.com/pr/XEQEi/Christina-Bridge|_blank|Christina Bridge on the Freelance Journalist Directory]
[lnk|http://www.pocketchef.wordpress.com/|_blank|Christina Bridge’s blog, “Lettuce Love Life”]
[img|jpg|Christina Bridge]