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Recipe for Success: What It Takes to Run a Hospitality PR Agency and be a Chef Publicist

Rachel Lebihan

Welcome inside the world of a hospitality PR agency and the lip-smacking life of being a chef publicist, where every dish has a story, and every chef is a star! As a hospitality publicist representing up-and-coming culinary talent and seasoned professionals, it's not just about promoting mouthwatering menus and award-winning meals; it's about crafting sensational narratives that captivate audiences and create an insatiable appetite for the chef's expert craft. So, what does it take to be the behind-the-scenes magician for these kitchen wizards? Let's dig into the flavourful mix of services provided by a chef's publicist:


What It Takes to Run a Hospitality PR Agency and be a Chef Publicist

Media Training:


Ever seen a chef gracefully balance kitchen prep, phone calls from suppliers, while effortlessly fielding questions from an eager food writer? That's the magic of media training! Behind the scenes, publicists work tirelessly to hone their clients' interview skills, ensuring they're as smooth as a perfectly emulsified sauce. From teaching them the art of storytelling to prepping them for those curveball questions, a prudent publicist teaches chefs interviewing skills, techniques and tips that will have writers eating out of their hand. Chefs may be able to slice and dice with the dexterity of a samurai, and whisk and whip with the arm muscles of a wrestler, but they're not known for their communication skills (sorry chefs!) Fortunately, having a publicist and careful media training are the secret ingredients that turns chefs into eloquent interviewees.


Publicity Junkies:


From sourcing coveted interview opportunities across print, digital and broadcast channels, to managing collaboration requests with top brands, a chef's publicist wears many hats (or toques, in this case). They're the masterminds behind those drool-worthy magazine spreads and mouthwatering content marketing and social media campaigns. Whether it's directing professional photo and video shoots that capture the essence of a chef's culinary prowess, penning captivating chef stories and bios that leave readers hungry for more, coordinating PR-worthy chef-led events and activations, or whipping up media coverage of restaurant awards and chef accolades, publicity is where the real magic happens. If a news team needs an urgent photograph or interview to camera for a last-minute article or news segment, a publicist will ensure their chef is in the kitchen, in clean chef's whites, armed with a smile on their dial and something sensible - and on-brand - to say!


Media Relations Maestros:


In the fast-paced world of culinary fame (and flames), managing media relations is no piece of cake. Publicists are the gatekeepers, juggling requests for interviews, responding to media enquiries, and ensuring their chefs are always portrayed in the best light. From securing spots in top-rated publications and cooking shows, to fielding questions about the latest food trends, navigating the media landscape requires finesse, tact, and a dash of PR wizardry. When a food writer needs answers quickly, typically when a chef is in service or up to their elbows in recipe testing, publicists will draft answers and quotes, flick them across to the chef to be checked, then send them to the reporter in record time. A publicist is the middle wo/man between the media and the chef, ensuring the media gets what they need, and a starstruck chef doesn't miss an opportunity to shine.


Hospitality PR Agency Eloquence:


It's not all razzle dazzle in the world of culinary publicity. Behind the scenes, publicists work tirelessly to elevate their chefs to gastronomic greatness. So, the next time you find yourself drooling over a chef's latest creation online, captivated by their charismatic presence on screen, or enthralled by their eloquent answers to a reporter's rapid-fire questions, remember the culinary maestro's maestro - the publicist - who adds the irresistible icing to the top of every cake.


And there you have it, a glimpse into the flavourful world of running a hospitality PR agency and being a publicist for chefs. It's an exciting role that blends creativity, strategy, and a passion for all things culinary. And when it's done right, it serves up a recipe for success that's as satisfying as the perfect bite.


At Sass, we have a division that focuses on the hospitality sector, and heaps of experience directing the media spotlight on chefs. We also manage PR, Communications and Content Marketing for food & beverage, health & wellbeing, property, travel and lifestyle brands.




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