Erin Clarke, a graduate of Kapaun Mount Carmel in 2004, has achieved remarkable success. She has amassed millions of readers on her Well Plated blog and over 400,000 followers on Instagram. Through these platforms, she shares easy and healthy recipes for home cooks. Clarke now lives in Milwaukee but returned to Wichita this fall for a book tour of her second cookbook, "Well Plated Every Day." MNUW's Celia Hack had the opportunity to speak with Clarke about her latest work, her journey to social media fame, and Wichita's enduring impact on her career.
Uncover the Wichita Connection in Food Blogging
How Wichita Shaped Erin Clarke's Recipe Development
Clarke grew up in Wichita, surrounded by her grandmothers' wonderful, classic Midwestern cooking. Pot roast, macaroni and cheese - these were the staples that instilled a love for comfort food in her. Alongside the Midwest's sense of practicality, these influences became integral to her cooking style. When she started cooking for herself away from home, she missed her grandmothers' recipes. Calling them to get the recipes led her to think about making tweaks to make them more nutritious. For example, her popular homemade Hamburger Helper combines classic flavors with a touch of Dijon mustard and hot sauce, giving it a gourmet twist while using simple, wholesome ingredients.From Madison to Social Media Stardom
Clarke was in Madison, Wisconsin when she got married and her husband started law school. Feeling bored and lacking creativity in her job, a friend suggested starting a blog. Thirteen years ago, she had no idea what a blog was but saw it as a fun way to journal her cooking experiences and release her creative energy. Over time, her blog grew in popularity, and she expanded to social media accounts and now has two cookbooks.The Latest Cookbook: A Reflection of Growth
Her new cookbook is a reflection of her journey with Well Plated. Starting in a tiny kitchen on a budget with limited time and money, she shared simple yet delicious recipes that gained popularity. Now, as a professional recipe developer, her recipes are meticulously tested and easy to follow. Having a team by her side has also been a great experience. It was once a one-woman show, but now there are six of them, including her husband Ben.Social Media and the Changing Food Blogging Landscape
On social media, the food blogging/vlogging/TikToker scene has evolved. There are those like Clarke with successful recipe websites and those who started on social media. It's rare to find someone who does both as they require different approaches and are time-consuming. Clarke initially didn't want to do the social media aspect but has come to appreciate its personal connection. Every small business owner now has to be a social media "influencer" whether they want to or not.The Recipe Development Process
Clarke's recipe development process starts with an idea. It could be a dish she's tried or a nostalgic comfort food she knows everyone loves. She then thinks about how to make it better and easier. The left brain kicks in for creativity, while the right brain does in-depth research. For example, in her new pumpkin gingerbread cake, she delved deep into gingerbread knowledge and tried different spice combinations. After writing out the recipe completely, she starts cooking and takes notes along the way. If a soup is missing a pop of acid, she'll test different vinegars to find the perfect balance.Grandmothers' Reactions to the Internet Era
Clarke's grandmothers were passionate about cooking. Her Grammy lived to see her business and was extremely proud. Explaining why she couldn't print off her entire blog was difficult, but her grandmothers subscribed to her emails and were happy to have their recipes recognized. The internet has allowed many people to enjoy their recipes, which is a wonderful thing.READ MORE