@JoelECarlson: Hello everyone! Time for a Food-Friday Twitterview with food blogger @JoyEstelle. Set your timers to 1hr and lets go!
Joy: Hi! (waves at monitor)
Q – #1 So @JoyEstelle, where did you grow up, where did you go to school and what was your 1st job?
Joy: I grew up mainly in Grand Rapids, MN, my first job was working for my mom at her flower shop
I went to school there – did post secondary at the community college there before moving to the Cities at age 18
Q – #2 I see. So how did you get into blogging/writing, and especially about food?
Joy: I’ve always been a writer that was my big dream growing up. I wrote & wrote but never attempted to sell my work
At the same time, my family is pretty food centric. Lots of foraging, hunting & ceaseless discussions about food
n 2005, fed up w/what I called ***** food experiences I started my blog to share the good or humorously bad meals
Last year I hooked up w/ City Pages Hot Dish blog after leaving my day job in advertising. I’m now writing full time
Q – #3 Since 2005, has the overall quality of food and service in the Twin Cities improved in the restaurant world?
Joy: I think the quality of ingredients has improved. I’m a big fan of local, sustainable, seasonal cooking.
More so, I think the quality of diners has improved. I love how passionate pple have become about what’s on their plate
Q – #4 Are there certain styles of restaurants or certain types of cooking that you enjoy the most over others?
Joy: I adore so many restaurants around town from the stalls @MidtownGlobal to Meritage or @labellevie_vie
I also love me a good dive bar. I highly recommend Skinner’s Pub in St. Paul. I met my husband there
Oh & Little Szechwan -I love them.I typically like restaurants that put a little love in the food. It’s not an easy biz
I totally spelled that wrong Szechuan
Q – #5 It’s about the food presentation and the presentation of the food by the staff right? What is a current trend you see?
Joy: It’s about the care of the food. Microwaved, brown pre-packaged goo isn’t food. Apathy on a plate s/b discouraged
Food trend, like everyone I’m enamored w/the food trucks. @smack_shack to @128cafe to @forknroadtruck they all kick
Plus the Legend of Zelda-like thrill of having to track down your lunch makes the meal like a little adventure
Q – #6 To your FAVORITE(S) – Comfort food, store, local chef, nat’l chef, vegetable and cook book author.
Joy: My dying dinner wish is for my mom’s roast chicken & not to have to share the skin w/anyone.
Fave store would probably be a tie btwn Golden Fig & @MSmarketcoop
Local chef – I can’t pick. We’re so lucky to have such talent in this town. Plus, I need these guys to return my calls
National chef is hard I guess, David Chang – right now. That’ll change tomorrow, so fickle.
Veggie of the moment is definitely ramps & the cookbook I’m devouring is a James Beard I picked up at an estate sale
Q – #7 To end, what advice would you give to newbies used to chain restaurants, but now want to experiment some?
Joy: Start local-check out the indy restaurant in your backyard. Seems like each neighborhood has a gem hidden in their midst
Be adventurous & have fun. Every menu-even the haute cuisine spots will have something familiar to offer
Last bit, introduce yourself & get to know your local restaurant workers. They’ll take good care of you.
Oh – and if you want more specific recommendations, just visit or email me @ Eating the Minneapple! #jectv (okay, really done)
@JoelECarlson: Good suggestions @JoyEstelle! Thank you for sharing some of your life and your time with #jectv. Have a great weekend!
Joy: Absolutely, thank you so much for having me! Everybody have a great weekend, eat well!