Today we’d like to introduce you to Ralph Matthews.
Hi Ralph, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My background is in writing and filmmaking and I’m still active in the local film scene in a producing and writing capacity. My passion for supporting local businesses and restaurants led me to begin using my photography and writing talents toward food blogging and influencing. Along with my passion for storytelling, I have a history of restaurant kitchen work and love dining out.
When the pandemic hit, I began getting more serious about the blogging, focusing on curbside from local eateries, because I was worried that we would end up with all of our local favorites not surviving. Now as I’m moving forward I’ve become more prominent in the local food scene, befriended more chefs and restaurant owners, and embraced it as a very enjoyable part time gig.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s always a challenge balancing the day to day with something that requires a lot of additional time and scheduling. Luckily, I know my limits pretty well and can make it work. Creating a following on social media takes a lot of hustle as well. And let’s not forget the amount of calories I’m consuming. I’m not an influencer who takes a bite of each thing and wastes food. I enjoy it all and that means a pretty vigorous workout routine to keep myself balanced out health wise.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Freelance writing, photography, blogging. I’m known for my detail oriented approach to my restaurant posts as well as a monthly Minnesota Wing (#wingMN) review I started with @sotaeats (Zac Gleason). What I believe sets me apart from others is I try to find the hidden gems within the cities. I strive to find the places that are so mom n pop that they may not even have a social media presence or maybe not even a website. I don’t like the term influencer, I prefer encourager.
In the blogging world, this is what I’m most proud of; when I get messages asking for recommendations or someone letting me know they tried a place out for a special occasion and loved it. If my work encouraged them to check it out, then that’s the whole idea. In the screenwriting world, I’m proud of a short film of mine that was in consideration for Sundance as well as some local film competitions won due to my work with fellow collaborators. Those aren’t too shabby either.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Do what you think is best for yourself and what you’re interested in. I’ve certainly said no to a collaboration if I’m not passionate about it. Also being positive and raising up everyone around me has worked pretty well. Reach out to those whom you admire. They may or may not respond and that’ll show you their true colors. There’s a lot of negativity out there and some that don’t befriend other bloggers because they believe their way is the only correct way. That just tells me they aren’t confident in their work. I’m Livin’ for the friends I’ve made who have their own passions and I don’t see them as competition.
Contact Info:
- Email: ralphmat@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ralph_matthews
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=-9MKwX_0X_b2HAf7uA23mw&utm_source=ishare
Image Credits
Ralph Matthews
