Calling all foodies and culinary creatives! The first-ever teen led food magazine, Piece of Cake, is waiting for you to devour their delectable collection of articles and recipes. I had the pleasure of virtually interviewing Cove Johnson Rabidoux, the high school junior from California who founded this magazine last year.
Outside of operating her magazine, Cove is a published writer and journalist who has work featured in the Teen Magazine, the Trailblazer Review, and the Spearhead Magazine. In addition, she is a fantastic editor of literary magazines such as Sonderful Writings and Cathartic Youth.
Now, let’s get to the best part: our interview questions! (The second-best option after a surprise slice of cake).
What was your inspiration for starting your organization?
“Food, particularly baking, has always been an interest of mine. I have devoured every food show imaginable and I love reading food magazines like Delish and Bon Appétit,” Rabidoux said.
“This love for food and online content creation ultimately led me to get involved in several online teen magazines, both as an editor and a contributor. However, I noticed that while these magazines covered a broad range of lifestyle topics, there wasn’t a single magazine purely focused on food from a teen perspective. This struck me as a gap that needed to be filled as there are a lot of teens who love food and want to talk about it. As a result, I wanted to create a platform where teenage writers could express their culinary passions and ideas, and where young readers could find food-related content from a teen perspective.
“That is how Piece of Cake was born—the first-ever teen-led food magazine. Through Piece of Cake teenage writers can explore their own diverse cuisines, share their favorite recipes, and discuss food-related issues, such as how diet culture impacts teens or how food can be a source of comfort and connection,” she said.
Image from the "Piece of Cake" website
What major issues or complications have you faced, and how did your team overcome them?
Maintaining a magazine with a diverse array of topics such as restaurant reviews, cooking tips, and the cultural significance of certain dishes can be a challenge. With such a broad base to cover, balancing efficiency with substance is a strategy "Piece of Cake" hopes to expand upon in the future.
"The main challenge our team has faced is ensuring that we publish work regularly. Consistency is key to maintaining our readers' engagement, but coordinating a team of teen writers from across the country with varying schedules can be difficult," Rabidoux said.
"To address this, I developed a clear schedule to organize article deadlines and publication dates. Additionally, I made sure to foster open communication, where everyone on the team feels comfortable reaching out if they need an extension on an article or are facing any challenges. This approach has really helped us maintain a more steady flow of content and support our team’s needs."
Sample blog posts from "Piece of Cake"
What goals does your organization have for future projects, and where do you see yourselves expanding over the following years?
“Piece of Cake has several goals for the future, with the biggest being expanding our community. I would love to continue growing our team of teen food writers (and readers), creating a vibrant online community where food lovers can all connect and share their passion," she said.
And Cove's ideas extend far beyond the dinner table: she plans to integrate advocacy and cooking, adding a much-needed intersectional perspective to the traditional field.
“We aim to diversify our content by introducing a new section/column that explores the intersection of food with social issues. This column would raise awareness about pressing food-related issues around the world, such as food insecurity, food deserts, and unsustainable agricultural processes. By writing about these topics, we would hope to educate our readers and inspire them to think more deeply about food. Ultimately, our goal is to make Piece of Cake a go-to resource for teens passionate about food, offering them a platform to express their ideas and connect with others."
What advice would you give to aspiring young innovators and youth who want to make a difference in their community or on a national scale?
"My advice is to dive into your community and explore your passions right away! There’s no need to wait for the future or for the “perfect” moment, rather you should start making an impact today," Rabidoux said. She then expanded on how to transform grassroots ideas into a passion project. While planning ahead is a beneficial skill, it can be helpful to have a flexible idea of your goals.
"That being said, it is okay if you don’t know where to start! My advice is to begin by identifying what you’re passionate about and look for opportunities to get involved, whether through volunteering, starting your own project, or collaborating with others. Taking initiative and being proactive are both key to creating meaningful change and making a difference, both locally and globally. So, if you are interested in initiating change in your community, I encourage you to start today. Good luck!"
What a slice of life organization with a remarkable mission! If only I could bake as well as some of their writers, which is your sign to check out these stellar people and support their initiatives. Explore different cuisines and break out of your comfort zone to learn something new. Psst - right now, they are looking for teen writers. See below for important contact information to get involved:
Website Contact Form: https://bluepencilwriting.wixsite.com/pieceofcake/contact
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