The Black Food Bloggers Club is full of talented and inspiring bloggers. We are thrilled to introduce you to some of them through our Featured Blogger column.
Allow us to introduce you to the one and only Marwin Brown. Marwin masterfully combines food and music on his blog Food Fidelity.
Blog name: Food Fidelity
Instagram: @foodfidelity
Location: Austin, Texas
Tell us about your blog.
Food Fidelity is a simple food and music blog that attempts to progress soul food in a way that encompasses foods and flavors across the African diaspora as well as incorporates the latest global trends into the genre. Focus is on the positive elements of traditional soul food cooking e.g. vegetables centric, made from scratch, and creatively turning humble ingredients into dope food. I would describe the food as soul food for modern families and individuals who want to stay connected to the heritage while balancing busy lifestyles. Music gives every recipe it’s soul.
How did you get started as a blogger?
My grandfather and cooking mentor never wrote anything down and died in his 60s as did most other men in my family. So once I became a father I wanted to preserve future family recipes while also having a platform to help create/promote generational health amongst black families. My wife suggested I start a blog to accomplish both as well as eliminate my recipe scratch paper doodling. Before going live my good friend and barber Shannon Jones asked me to contribute to his barbershop website which featured different examples of black excellence for his clients to aspire to and learn from. My column was called “Beats and Eats” and was focused on giving men the skills to cook for themselves or their families. Buzz grew and Food Fidelity evolved from this.
What roadblocks did you face in your blogging career?
Blogging ain’t easy! Definitely finding time to write, photo, edit, promote, etc. while balancing family, work, self, etc.
What is the highlight of your career so far?
Branded work as a guest chef for a syndicated cooking show on the east coast.
What did you think you were going to be when you grew up?
Bounty Hunter or Football Coach. There were always bounty hunters around my uncle who worked as a bail bondsman and they had great stories. I did coach high school ball in Texas, but realized coaching fulfillment would eventually come at the expense of family, so I bounced.
What is your morning routine?
Late nights tend to be my downtime to think and create so my morning routine is about feeding and stimulating my brain in order to have things to draw on later. First order of business is to Give Thanks. Then it’s reading (Pinterest/Twitter/IG/Articles/Book Chapter) as much as I can before school drop-off. I listen to one of a few Podcasts (Gravy, The Racist Sandwich, Black Girl Nerds) I follow during the commute. Then it’s to the gym for a workout followed by a quick breakfast smoothie or overnight oatmeal. Now I’m mentally ready to engage others and high number of blog tasks.
What are your 5 favorite blogs or websites?
BlackDoctor.org
My Life Runs On Food
Chef Iso
Afro Bohemian Snob
Very Smart Brothas
What do you consider your signature dish?
My guys swear by the Chicken Pozole Soup I make for our annual fellas retreat. My kids would say my Candied Sweet Potatoes with Spiced Syrup. They devour the sweet potatoes and we use the leftover syrup on everything from ice cream, pancakes and old school syrup sandwiches.
What advice do you have for aspiring bloggers?
Be authentic to who you are. Cook and write about the food you love and are passionate about. It will come through and your audience will connect with you. Put in time to learn SEO and Photography. You want people to be able to find you and come back once they do.
What does your future hold?
Continuing to serve, achieving flavor maven status, a few cookbooks, and a restaurant with no menu and a booming system.
Candied Sweet Potatoes with Spiced Syrup – Get the Recipe Here!
