founder & ceo
Right about the time that the first food bloggers were beginning to realize that their hobby might actually be a job, CookItโs Founder + CEO quit her job. It was the lure of content โ creative recipes, beautiful photography โ 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 sheโd 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.ย
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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 creatorโs authority and connection with their audience. That part of the story has never changed and never will.ย
Counting down to Expo West! โ๏ธ We canโt wait to try new products, eat too much cheese, and connect with friends, clients, and new faces. Our CEO and Founder, @lauriebuck, will be there representing CookIt, so drop a comment or send us a DM to let us know if youโre attending and would like to connect. ๐ค See you next week!
Weโve said it before, and weโll say it againโyeah, thereโs a game on Sunday, but letโs be realโฆ itโs all about the food. ๐ Here are some top-notch recipes from our roster that have to be at your game day watch party! ๐
In-N-Out Animal Style Sliders by @noflakeysalt
Spicy Buffalo Snack Mix by @kasimjhardaway x @hormelfoods
Crab Rangoon Dip by @yessidothecookingg
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken on Texas Toast by @cookinginthemidwest
BLT Dip by @aldentediva
Italian Sushi by @thecookingmawma
Fresh from @specialtyfoodassociationโs Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas! โ๏ธ We had an incredible time exploring the latest and greatest in food innovation. Here are the top trends we spotted that are set to take over 2025!
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฌ: Beans and legumes are stepping up as protein powerhouses! Shoutout to @beanvivo for their innovative salad toppers.
๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ญ-๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: From seafood to dairy, plant-based alternatives are booming for all diets! We loved the vegetarian pรขtรฉ from @alexian_pate.
๐๐จ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฎ: Yuzu is everywhere! Think chips, popcorn, mayo, and even @celebrity_goatโs Yuzu Citrus flavor.
๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฌ: Monk fruit, stevia, and allulose are redefining sweet treats! Weโre loving @lakantoโs selection.
๐๐จ๐ฐ & ๐๐จ-๐๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ก๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ: The sober-curious movement is thriving, with sophisticated non-alcoholic wines, spirits, and beers.
๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ฌ: Protein-packed crisps, plant-based jerkyโฆ snacks are getting a serious upgrade to fit busy lifestyles!
๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐: Big-name spots like @masala.pizza are making their way onto store shelves!
๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ: Ready-to-eat meal kits are on the rise! @mycookingbox_na caught our eye.
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๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ง: Butter, step aside! Kraftโs Mac & Cheese popcorn is shaking up the snack aisle.
๐๐๐๐ค๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Eye-catching designs are stealing the spotlight, with brands like La Narval redefining the tinned fish category.
Weโre counting down the days to the Winter Fancy Food Show by @specialtyfoodassociation in Las Vegas! โ๏ธ In addition to connecting with our favorite brands, @lauriebuck (CEO & Founder) and @molls.benton (EVP) will be trend-hunting and, of course, product tasting!
Weโll hit the ground running on Sunday, 1/19, and be back bright and early on Monday, 1/20.
Laurie will also be joining her classmates from the Maker Prep courseโa program sponsored by the Specialty Food Association. ๐ป Their goal: to learn how to create, finance, distribute, and market a proprietary food business.
Will you be there? Letโs catch up! Email us at [email protected] or [email protected]. ๐ฌ Hope to see you soon!
CookIt has been nominated for the 2024 Creator Agency Award in the Top Creator Agency category, presented by BTI & @withjulyhq! ๐
This recognition means the world to us, and we couldnโt have made it this far without the support of our brand and agency partners, as well as our exclusive talent roster. โค๏ธ
As a women-owned, service-focused agency, we pride ourselves on bringing together brands and influencers who share a passion for food and lifestyle. Our deep niche expertise continues to fuel our growth, and weโre incredibly proud to see our roster of 30+ talented creators continue to thrive.
Voting is LIVE and ends on January 31, 2025! Click the link in our bio to cast your vote.
#CreatorAgencyAwards
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