From Cooking Contests to Product Brand Ambassador
Have you ever wondered why people enter cooking and recipe contests? Or if it is really worth the time to create recipes, test recipes and spend the time to enter when you don’t win them all.
The world of “Food Sport” has grown so much over the decades. Years ago people enjoyed sending in a recipe with hopes of having it recognized and published. There have also been the small keepsake awards such as certificates and ribbons. The state fair is an example of a long standing place to enter your winning recipe. Not only do state fairs give out ribbons but some give away grand prizes, manufacturer products and cash.
For some competitors, their long term goals are to take their talent to a higher level. Being selected for a TV show cook-offs, to be able to compete for a big cash paying cook-off such as the World Food Championships, publish a cookbook, receive payment for cooking demonstrations or even being contracted to be a Brand Ambassador for a major product company.
That takes me to a recent conversation that I had with a fellow food competitor, Michaela Rosenthal.
Photo and comment of Michaela Rosenthal-Courtesy of Johnny’s Seasoning,”She has won several national cooking contests and has competed on Food Network (Ultimate Recipe Showdown); as well as being the only non-professional to make it to the semi-finals for Top Chef (first season). She has cooked on Good Morning America with Emeril Lagasse. Her recipes have been featured in Cooking Light, Gourmet, Good Housekeeping, Rachael Ray Magazine, Taste of Home and the Los Angeles Times.”
Over the last couple of years, I have watched Michaela turn her passion for creating recipes and entering contest to now being a Brand Ambassador/Consultant for 5 companies.
She is a Brand Ambassador/Consultant at Glory Foods, Bruce’s Yams, Margaret Holmes Farms and Brand Ambassador for Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Johnny’s Fine Foods, Glory Foods, Margaret Holmes Farms and Bruce’s Yams.
Here are a few of the products that she is working with to create recipes.
Glory Foods
Johnny’s Seasoning
Maker’s Mark Bourbon
Michaela said that she gets a lot of questions about how she became a Brand Ambassador. So, we decided to do a question and answer for those who are interested in doing the same thing.
When did you first start entering contests?
In 2004 I entered the Gilroy Garlic cook-off (very famous in California) and there I met a few ladies who told me about the cooking contest world.
Are you willing to share how much you have won over the years?
I always looked for the contest where a trip was attached (either a cook-off or the prize itself). I stayed away from the contests where big money was offered and there were a gazillion entrants.
What kind of prizes have you won besides cash?
TRIPS !!! When I was at the height of competitive cooking, I averaged 3-5 trips a year. I also went for the contests with a KITCHENADE mixer that was offered as a prize as I have a collection of them.
When did you realize that you could turn this into a job? Brand Ambassador!!
I won the recipe contest for Glory Foods and the next year they contacted me to write their holiday recipe book for them. Things have evolved from there and I am now the brand ambassador and recipe consultant/tester/developer.
Did the brand company contact you?
Yes.
If not, how did you go about contacting the company?
My suggestion for people who would like to be a brand ambassador to a food or beverage company: When you post your food on your social media page, always TAG the company who’s product you are using in your recipe. Keep doing this and if they like your style and how you feature your product, they may contact you and offer compensation.
I see you are now an ambassador for 5 companies, are there rules? Ex. can’t represent a product before the other company knows or the product can’t be similar.
Every company has different rules and how they want their product featured.
What do you actually do as Brand Ambassador?
Mainly recipe development and to help spread the word about their product.
Is it a profitable job?
It is; and there is also travel involved (visiting the factories, trade shows, etc).
Do you have a contract and if so is it time limited?
I have a legal contract for only one company; the others are more relaxed.
Are you still entering contests now that you are busy as an ambassador?
Not really, once you are on a payroll, you are considered professional and are exempt from most recipe contests.
The great news here, is that no effort is every wasted when you are reaching for a goal and you just never know where your food journey will take you.
Check out some of the companies and recipes that Michaela has been creating!
Thank you so much Kim !!!
You are so welcome! Nice to able to share a success story that so many others will enjoy!
Love this ! It is great to see such a successful home cook getting into each company’s mix….as it should be ! Michaela has brought them intell and savvy and a whole bunch of new fans ! Gotta love a foodie’s world ! congrats Michaela ….and great article Kim !
Lori, you are so right. She is so talented and I had never noticed Glory Foods products in my stores, now I do!!
Awesome article, love it that my foodie friends are turning their passions into jobs
Thanks Josee, I can’t wait until I can write an article about you. It’s only a matter of time and you will be doing this too. I imagine you developing recipes for a large seafood company!
Great article! Very informative! Michaela is very talented and inspiring! See. Hard work really does pay off.
Thanks Cathi, I think a lot of people don’t know what can become of this type of competition outside of the gifts and prizes!