Blogger Spotlight: Accidental Locavore
We're proud to feature Anne Maxfield in this week's Blogger Spotlight, where we highlight a member of The Daily Meal's Culinary Content Network, a selected group of talented and influential bloggers who write about food and drink.
Anne is a Hudson Valley-based blogger and entrepreneur. In 2009 she made a deal with her neighbor, farmer Paul Wigsten, when he decided to close his farm stand and instead sell his produce once a week at the local farmers market. For $20 each week, Paul would choose a selection of his own produce to send to Anne. Thus began the blog Accidental Locavore.
Since then, Anne has been blogging about the local ingredients she has found, cooked, and eaten, demonstrating to her readers how easy and satisfying it is to cook with local food. From her experiences with the Instapot pressure cooker to her discovery of locally made sauces, recipes, cookbook reviews, and food related articles, Accidental Locavore covers a multitude of interesting topics and presents them with an engaging sense of humor.
In addition to the Accidental Locavore blog, Anne can be heard on Pawling Public Radio, and she also writes for The Huffington Post.
The Daily Meal: What is the mission of your blog?
Anne Maxfield: To show how easy it is to cook local and fresh.
How did you get started?
I picked up a box of whatever my local farmer thought was good each week and started writing about it. Sort of a splinter-group CSA.
What is your philosophy of cooking or baking?
Always do it with love.
What are some of the foods you can't live without?
Olive oil, lemons, butter, chocolate, salt.
Are there foods you can't stand?
BEETS!!!
What is your proudest post?
A non-food one after the terrorist attack in Nice last summer.
Do you have a blogging blunder?
According to my SEO widget, not enough sub-headings...
What do you like to listen to while in the kitchen?
Someone talking on TV.
What are some other blogs you love?
Smitten Kitchen [and] David Lebovitz.
What is the best thing about blogging?
You can write whatever is on your mind.
What is the most challenging thing about blogging?
When there's nothing on your mind...
What would even your most loyal followers be surprised to learn about you?
My weakness for salt and vinegar potato chips.
What are five of your all-time favorite posts?
— 10 Things Not to Do at a Farmers' Market
— My Nice
— Have You Ever Had a Restaurant Experience Go Bananas?