10 THINGS with Claire Thomas

RM: Where did your love for food come from and what inspired you to create a food blog?

CT: Funny enough, I am a huge history nerd, so my interest in food came through my love of food history. I just found how people used to eat and entertain, and how we do it now, endlessly fascinating. I started recreating vintage recipes that captured my imagination or using them for inspiration and creating a new dish.

RM: One thing that stands out about your blog, The Kitchy Kitchen, is that all of your recipes are original. How do you make that happen?

CT: Inspiration for recipes can come from so many places, and once you have basic techniques down, it’s really easy to create your own. I love shopping at the Farmer’s Market and will ask farmers how they
like to enjoy an item best. I’ll try a flavor combination at a local restaurant and try it out in a simplified, different way in my home kitchen; sometimes I’ll have an idea for a food photo first, and then
base the recipe around that. It really just depends on how inspiration strikes me in that moment.

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RM: You now have commercial directing as part of your career path. How did you get started in this new venture?

CT: I’ve been a commercial director for almost two years now, so it’s not entirely new, but I’m definitely in the beginning phase of my career. I got the opportunity to direct, based off of the web videos I created for my blog. My aesthetic is fresh, unpretentious, and focused on the details that make food delicious. So, I was really lucky that so many agencies and clients were looking to present their food in the same way. I’ve directed about two dozen spots now, but I still love creating new content for my blog. The web videos I create keep me sharp and let me explore new techniques or ideas on film.

RM: Web series can be very successful with everyone online these days. You have a series named 10 Second Living. Is it really possible to come up with healthy tips in that amount of time?

CT: I am on my Facebook page every weekend answering questions, making recommendations, and just hanging out with fans. A common theme that came up was that they wanted a quick and easy way to learn basic kitchen techniques that I had covered on my show, but not in detail. Their questions inspired me to create a forum that answers them, and where they can request more tips. So, 10 Second Living is a constantly evolving series, where fans’ questions get answered. The format is that I give a little explanation, and then demonstrate the technique in ten seconds, and then finish up with some extra tips or clarifications. This keeps the videos short, easy to understand, and shot the way I want my “how to” videos shot – close up, where the action is. I love the suggestions everyone makes because they’re not necessarily ones I would think of, like “how to clean with vinegar” or “how to season a cast iron pan.” I’m actually learning a lot just researching for each of the videos.

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RM: You also work as a food television host, what do you most enjoy about being in front of the camera?

CT: Being in front of the camera has been such a great experience for me. I love talking to people, sharing ideas about food, and connecting with an audience. Being on a TV show and in a web series has created so many opportunities to reach out to fans. I’m on my Facebook pages every day answering questions and reaching out, so being on camera has taken my love of food from a personal passion and has opened it up to this whole community.

RM: You have such a great audience and following. Do you have any plans on opening a restaurant at some point in the near future?

CT: A restaurant chef is such a different job than any of the things I do. I talk about, write about, shoot, and create food, but for an audience of people who want to recreate my recipes. I think I’d be much better at creating food and lifestyle related products than heading up the kitchen in a restaurant.

 

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RM: What do you enjoy doing for relaxation?

CT: I’m a huge reader, so I love curling up with a non-fiction book. I do enjoy novels too, but honestly, I will always reach for a history book instead. Bill Bryson and Mark Kurlansky are two of my favorites, and I always look forward to what topic they’ll tackle next.

RM: Do you have any guilty pleasures?

CT: French fries and double stuff Oreo’s are my guilty pleasures. Turning either of those down requires more will power than I can bear.

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RM: You’re a fashionable food expert. Who are your favorite designers in your personal closet?

CT: My sister is a jewelry designer, so I have to try hard to keep up with her amazing style. My favorites are LuvAJ for gorgeous and slightly edgy jewelry, J.Crew for my basics, and Jenni Kayne for their fabulous shoes and modern, elegant designs. Otherwise, my closet is filled with the usual suspects: Zara, Topshop and ASOS.

RM: Do you have any other projects coming out?

CT: Yes! I’m just wrapping up my first cookbook, which is coming out next summer with Simon and Schuster. It’s inspired by my blog, so expect more simple recipes with a twist and lots of fun entertaining ideas when it comes out.

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