When I first started this blog in 2012, I wanted to do it right. That meant not selling out! I tried to navigate the food world without working with brands or using affiliate links. Traditional marketing wasn’t appealing to me in the age of social media. I learned a hard lesson. Social media wasn’t going to pay my bills. I had to find other ways to exist in the culinary world that did not include working a restaurant line or going into retail. There is respect in that work, but I knew it wasn’t for me. After COVID and the tumult of media platform death, I decided to evaluate my presence online. How can people get in touch with me and what is the best way to let you know what I am up to? It’s going to change again and again, I’m sure, but I’ve decided to revive this blog to tell you about the fun catering projects I’ve done in the past and to engage with brands that I care about.
This ongoing list is a collection of things you can do to support my creative journey (and catering business!). These days, it’s not enough to be a chef. You’ve got know how to edit videos, write well, record podcasts, live stream, speak with authority, and take gorgeous photos. Without my partnerships, I would not be able to afford most of the premium ingredients and tools you see in my kitchen. I do not take my partnerships lightly, either. The products and services I recommend are what I use in my real life. As you can see, I’m also not just a chef, but I have lots of fun side projects that help color my unique culinary practice.
Best Ways to Support
Hire me for catering or craft services. I’m only catering weddings for friends and by client referral only. Otherwise, I’m open to all birthdays, showers, office celebrations, and random sandwich bulk orders of 8 or more in New York State. For craft, I am willing to travel, but also available for NYC area pick-up, drop-off, or attended service.
Join my Patreon recipe subscription. You’ll get weekly recipes for $2/month or $21.60/year. Get my newsletter of recent thoughts, recipe roundups, entertainment recommendations, and links at $5/month or $54/year.
Buy my cookbook Showdown directly from me. When you buy from other vendors, the money will go toward my book advance (which will make its way to me eventually).
Higher-Cost Ways to Support (up to $150)
Try out Butcher Box, a meat subscription service. For every new member that signs up, I get a commission and you get a bonus. For example, you can get free steaks for a year. The offers change often but I believe are worth it.
If you use Jetblue and have spare points, you can transfer them to me. Flight costs are a huge barrier for doing events out of New York City. So if we can pool enough points together, I can make plans in other states (or countries?!).
Moderate-Cost Ways to Support (up to $50)
Below, I use affiliate links. What does that mean? I’ve partnered with businesses to provide tracking links and I get commission from each sale. On Amazon, click my book link or visit my shop during your session and I will get credit for anything you buy when you navigate to other categories.
Buy or gift merch from my Fourthwall shop! I worked with pixel artist Dr!p to design stickers, hats, and clothing.
Purchase books from my library on Bookshop. It’s an alternative to Amazon that supports independent bookstores.
When you shop at Burlap & Barrel, add a Robusta peppercorn grinder to your cart and use my code RANDWICHES to get it for free if you spend more than $15.
If you like my podcast Fun City, join our Patreon for $5/month or up to $15/month.
Represent Fun City on the streets! Buy our shirt of sweatshirt on Cotton Bureau.
Low-Cost Ways to Support ($5 or less)
Rent and watch my episode of Guy’s Grocery Games (or send it to a friend or family member for funsies). Use my link so I’ll get credit! It’s season 10, episode 5, “The Cheesy Special.”
Rent my live shows at Caveat with Fun City for $5! In Escape to Little Island, we are tasked with ruining a hoity toity party. In Upstate Getwaway, we need to break into a high-security facility to steal art.
At No Cost To You
Look, I’ve been there. Money is tight and your subscriptions are limited (if any!). There are still lots of things you can do to help me. If you have a friend who is also in a creative field, these tips will definitely help them as well.
Share my articles online or with someone who might need it.
Recommend my catering or craft services to a friend who might need them.
Listen to my podcasts Fun City, Culinary Word of the Day, and REPLAY. It also helps to rate and review on whatever platform you use.
Interact with my posts on social media. A comment, like and re-share help boost the posts to other people who don’t know me yet.
Make a social media post about my cookbook Showdown (especially if you made a dish from it!) and tag @Randwiches to let me know. I’ll happily share it.
Ask your local library to carry my cookbook Showdown.
It really takes a village, so I thank you in advance! I hope to keep making cookbooks, developing recipes, and catering cool events around the world. If you’ve got an idea for collaboration, I’d love to talk.