Celebrity chef Damaris Phillips shares how she’s built a thriving food media career that lasts while staying deeply connected to her culinary roots.

From winning Food Network Star to launching a cookbook, a picnic club, and a production company, Phillips opens up about evolving her career on her own terms. She gets candid about building confidence on social media, creating authentic content, and the reality of entrepreneurship in hospitality today. With humor, honesty, and practical wisdom, Phillips offers a blueprint for how chefs and creatives can build meaningful, sustainable businesses while staying true to who they are.

Takeaways

• Building a food career often means redefining what “success” looks like.
• Consistency and clear intention matter more than flash when growing online.
• Social media requires thoughtful content repurposing.
• Community-focused business models can drive both profit and purpose.
• Teaching and production work can coexist with creative cooking careers.
• Content creation is now a key part of hospitality, not just a nice-to-have.
• Business partnerships rooted in aligned values lead to long-term success.
• Boundaries and focus are essential for building a sustainable business.

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