Denise Landis
Verified
Covers:
food writing, recipe editing, recipe testing and development, wine and wineries, foraging, kitchen products, agriculture, ingredients, education and career advice, chefs, craft beers and microbreweries, cooking with or for children, gluten-free cooking, spirits and distilleries, food and health, literary agents, publishing, spices, cookware, environmental issues, food-related film reviews, bloggers, opinion, vegan cooking, recipes, charities
Founder & CEO of The Cook's Cook, LLC, a multimedia company serving an international community of professional chefs & passionate home cooks.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
I was testing recipes for the New York Times & asked by my editor if I'd like to write an article comparing Japanese & European chef knives.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I have a little turquoise portable typewriter buried somewhere in my attic. I wonder if I can get ribbons for it now...
How is social media changing news?
We have to be very careful about who to trust for news. Much incorrect information is passed off as "fact" by self-appointed authorities.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
It makes a great impression on me if it's clear that the person has actually read the magazine -- and more than one issue.
What's your favorite social network?
We're very big on Twitter at The Cook's Cook. We have over a half-million followers at @TheCooksCook.
Who do you wish followed you?
More editors of major food magazines, newspapers & cooking shows. Some of them do follow me. I'm on Twitter @TheCooksCook.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I both wrote & drew illustrations for my junior high & HS newspapers. In college I enjoyed writing letters to the editor of the school paper.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
Testing and then writing about Jacques Pepin's method of steaming a Thanksgiving turkey before roasting it. Genius!
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
When you reach out to a new contact, be sure you really know something about his/her body of work beyond what comes up immediately on Google.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Immediately after we've released an issue. The next issue may already be blocked out, but there are always a few gaps to be filled.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.