Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Turner.
Michelle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I frequently find myself asking why don’t more people try different things, more often. I was born and raised in NY exposed to so many different things on a daily basis. When I moved to Atlanta, I saw that there were so many advantages to being from NY that people outside of NY didn’t have. After several years in Atlanta, I realize that people do want to try different things but don’t know where to begin.
I was grumpy when I came to Atlanta because I thought I would have to change my eating habits. There are so many diverse food options in NY, I thought I was now stuck eating at chain restaurants in strip malls. Fortunately for my taste buds, I have discovered the diverse food options Atlanta has. Several years ago, I got out of an emotionally abusive relationship and wanted to find ways to get out of my depression and back to having a social life. I started eating out more and discovered Buford Highway, which I call the International Cuisine Highway of the South. While exploring all the diverse food along Buford Highway, I got involved in Yelp. I started writing reviews of all the places I was going and meeting other Yelpers who were food explores like me.
I also researched different food events and festivals and learned that to save money I could volunteer at the events to have some fun and try more food. It was at these events where I developed a strong connection to the culinary community and met a lot of awesome people. My friends like to say, I am on the festival circuit because Atlanta has so many festivals and I am usually at one. One of my greatest experiences has been finding and volunteering for the Giving Kitchen, a non-profit organization that provides emergency assistance to restaurant workers that have suffered an unanticipated crisis. While volunteering at Giving Kitchen events, I have met Atlanta chefs and restaurant workers and gotten a behind the scenes look at the passion and commitment of the restaurant community. This volunteer work inspires me to tell people about the food and highlight chefs and the people responsible for our food experiences. Most often, we go to a restaurant and have no interaction with the person cooking our food. I want to show people the spirit behind the dish that creates memorable food experiences. Once I discovered Buford Highway and all that Atlanta had to offer in food, I wanted to do more than just write reviews and volunteer. I wanted to create a space where I could share my discoveries and show others how to make new discoveries as well. I started Excited to Feast in April 2017 as a platform to inspire and guide people to diverse food and drink experiences in Atlanta and beyond. I am active on Instagram and Twitter where I post my food, craft beer and cocktails and events I find. I am currently working to launch the blog soon that will cover my finds in greater detail.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have to admit that in today’s social media world where we are so connected, it’s hard to feel like I can stand out. As a result, I get into my own way and in my own head questioning if I can bring something different to the table. I realize I need to stop doubting myself and know that my unique story has value. There are plenty of obstacles women face outside of ourselves that keep us busy. We, as women have to show ourselves the same care and trust we give to others. We have to believe that our story is important and by telling our story, we can help others find understanding and comfort in their own experiences. One of the things I try to show through my content is that I am not afraid to go and do things by myself. The stigma around women is if we go out alone it’s because we can’t find a partner or we have no friends. I am fighting that by going out solo and doing the things I want to do when I want to and showing other women it can be fun and empowering. The results have been amazing. I have met new people and get to do what I want instead of sitting at home regretting missing out on something. It has also helped me to get out of my own way and be brave because it’s often not always easy to just get up and do something alone. But knowing that I can set an example pushes me through the challenge of it. My advice to all women is to get out of your own head, get out there, share your story and blaze the trails by being uniquely you.
Please tell us about Excited to Feast.
I am the creator of Excited to Feast, a lifestyle brand that focuses on food and drink experiences. My goal is to inspire and guide people to new discoveries. I currently share what I’m eating and drinking on Instagram and Twitter and I am working on my blog that will have in-depth resources and guides.
I specialize in diverse and unique food & drink experiences. I love everything food and I tend to focus on food from different cultures, craft beer, and cocktails. I also cover events that showcase food such as festivals, chef pop-ups, and brewery tours. To keep up with all that is happening, I often go to Buford Highway, attend lots of festivals and keep up with social media accounts from all over the world.
I am proud of the connections I have made with people through food. When I get a message or see someone and they tell me they enjoy my posts and bookmark the information to try something new, I get so excited for them. I especially love when someone sees a restaurant or an event and asks me before they make a decision if it’s worth it. When this happens it shows that people enjoy the information I give them and see me as a trusted resource when they want to do something different. And this confirms I am remaining true to my passion for helping people.
What sets me apart is my deep curiosity to learn and try new things with a genuine passion to inspire people to go out and try new experiences. I want to be a bridge that connects people with what they are comfortable with to new and different things. By showing that it’s not out of reach and can be really fun. I recently connected with someone on Instagram who thought everything I do is through a connection in the food and beverage industry. I told her everything I do is for everyone, you just have to find it. One of my strengths is research and finding a lot of interesting events around town. To help other people find the cool stuff I was doing I started to highlight these events on Instagram under the hashtag #ATLYumList. Once the blog is up, I will be posting the different events I go to and the ones that will offer people the chance to try something new. This is a great example of connecting with people and being able to share my experiences and showing the awesome experiences that are available to everyone.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Besides growing up in NY around so many different people and cultures, the women in my family are my greatest influence. I come from a family of women trailblazers who inspire me! My maternal grandmother lived out her days as a lesbian during a time she had to remain in the closet but still made the choice to love who she wanted to love. My paternal grandmother, who was African American, joined the army during segregation. She would share sad tales of racism but always showed me a woman who would not back down from anyone. My mom, who was Irish, made the choice to marry a black man when interracial relationships were hardly acceptable. She then raised her biracial child in a predominantly Latin neighborhood and took every chance she could to make sure I knew who I was. My mom was the first to teach me about Kwanzaa and Black History and would go from cooking Corned beef and Cabbage to Oxtails and Pigs Feet. I have no clue where she got her adventurous food side from but I am so happy I got it too. These women were the grandest of examples for me in showing me not to fear who I am and to be who I want to be. I am rarely in a situation where I feel I don’t belong because of the women in my life. And because we are so diverse I have such an open mind to learn and understand and treat everyone with respect no matter the challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.excitedtofeast.com
- Email: excitedtofeast@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excitedtofeast/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/excitedtofeast
Image Credit:
Michelle Turner
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