founder & ceo
Right about the time that the first food bloggers were beginning to realize that their hobby might actually be a job, CookIt’s Founder + CEO quit her job. It was the lure of content – creative recipes, beautiful photography – that drove her to do it. Laurie had long worked in food magazines, but the digital space called. As she saw it, bloggers were the future of food content, replacing costly and time-consuming photo shoots and test kitchens with their one-stop-shop business model. Everything she’d learned working at Bon Appetit, Fine Cooking and Better Homes & Gardens over the course of three decades became the tools and experience she used to start up a business focused on helping bloggers become successful content businesses.Â
Â
Fast forward to 2015. Over the years, Laurie had built a consulting business, working with dozens of food bloggers to help them draft a brand story, identify their target audience, create a content plan and strategize their brand growth. Many of them went on to become successful businesses, and brands began reaching out to them, offering to partner. When those bloggers came back, seeking advice about how to talk to the brands, how to set rates, how to review contracts, Laurie knew it was time to shift from consulting to management.
Long story short, CookIt Media was born out of the goal to help influencers create strong businesses and build authentic partnerships with brands that value the creator’s authority and connection with their audience. That part of the story has never changed and never will.Â
Huge thanks to our brand partners for the thoughtful goodies at our offsite - it truly made our time together even better, and reminded us how lucky we are to work with brands that believe in our talent as much as we do. We’re so grateful for your generosity and for partnerships that feel like real relationships. 💛
@drinklmnt for the electrolytes
@goultima for keeping us hydrated
@daiyafoods for the sweet treats
@bentgo for the water bottles
@bienasnacks for the snacks
@staub_usa for the mugs
@churnfoods with the butters
@thespicehouse with the seasoning
@californiaoliveranch with the olive oil
@grillin_with_dad with the seasoning and rubs
One campaign. So many ways to tell the story! 🥩 CookIt teamed up with @omahasteaks, and our talent showed exactly why having range on the roster matters:
• @theproteinsnackqueen shares what she looks for when choosing a protein source
• @cookinginthemidwest’s Steak Dirty Fry Burritos
• @therealfooddietitians’ Tuscan Chicken and Orzo Mini Casseroles
• @eatwell.withlex’s Dinner Formula
• @noflakeysalt shows how to cook steak like a chef
• @erinliveswhole’s One Pot Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
Every creator brought their own voice and audience to the table, and brands get to choose the creators that fit best. 💛
If you’re planning a campaign, reach out via our website and we’ll help you find the right creators for your brand!
Welcome Naajma of @cooking_with_dimples to the CookIt talent roster! 🎉
Cooking for a family of 7, Naajma makes everyday meals deliciously easy 💛 Her flavor-packed, crowd-pleasing dinners and desserts prove that cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be hard, even on the most hectic weeknights. A natural fit for family-friendly meal campaigns!
Beyond the kitchen, she’s renovating her home room by room and sharing her love of decor, gardening, fashion, and travel.
Some exciting news from the CookIt team: @molls.benton has been promoted to President! 🎉
Molly has been such a big part of what makes this team work, and we can’t think of anyone better to take on more of the day-to-day operations and help turn our big ideas into action. It’s so well deserved, and we’re beyond excited for what’s ahead.
Congratulations, Molly!! We’re so lucky to celebrate you and this incredible team. 🥂
So much is coming out of this offsite, but let’s start with one of the best parts: congratulations to @ronninicole on her promotion to Vice President! 🎉
Over the past five years at CookIt, Ronni has grown from Campaign Coordinator to Talent Coordinator (to name just a few of her roles), and we couldn’t be happier to celebrate this next chapter with her.
In her new role, Ronni will continue diversifying our roster, building culturally relevant partnerships, strengthening relationships both online and in person, and growing the work she’s already doing so well.
Huge congrats, Ronni - here’s to what’s next! 🥂
© 2026 CookIt Media, LLC | All Rights Reserved. | Branding & Website Design by The La.Rue Creative Studio. | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
