Samuel Goldsmith Food writer, author and podcast host and Chair of Guild of Food Writers!
This is Sam’s piece on his passion for food, how he became a food teacher then moved onto writing, podcasting and so much more.
‘It’s a bit cliché to say food has been present all my life but other than the obvious fact I’ve had to eat to keep living, there’s been a culinary thread woven through my years on the planet. My Grandad trained as a patisserie chef and worked in kitchens at the beginning and end of his career, though he always encouraged me never to do anything with food. My Dad and Nan owned and ran The Abbey Café in Bath, though I was pretty young at the time I still have fond memories of the burger cheese which came straight from the fridge. So, really, it was always part of my DNA. Which is why I’m embarrassed to say I shunned the opportunity to study Food Technology at school, but just like the weight around my tummy, it came right back to me.
It turns out I’d filled my options form out incorrectly – the first person to ever do that according to the Deputy Head – so I could either stick with my bottom choice, Resistant Materials, or do Food Technology. Although my grandparents kept the lamp I made for them in Year 8 for some years, even my Grandad, who wanted me to stay clear of food, would agree it was best to go for the latter.
I guess that’s where my journey started. GCSE Food Technology, A level Food Technology, a BSc (hons) in Food & Consumer Management from the Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies (now UCB) and a Graduate Teacher Programme. All because of a mistake.
Though I didn’t always show it, I enjoyed teaching. I don’t think I realised until I stopped, but seeing students years later who have a passion for cooking feels good. That’s not to say it’s all down to me but messages from people working in food education I hope I played a small part. Starting as a teacher of Food Technology, I went on to become Head of Food Technology alongside Head of Year 10 & 11. In the holidays and at weekends, I would use any free time I had to assist Xanthe Clay – Telegraph food columnist – and Orlando Murrin – food writer and, at the time, hotelier.
I decided that I would quit teaching as a 30th birthday present to myself, and I freelanced post teaching, as a writer/editor/food stylist/ PR, but it turns out going to the cinema every day was too much of a draw for me once I’d lost the structure of the school day. From there, I became Editor-in-Chief of an app called Best Coffee and travelled Europe reviewing coffee shops. Obviously, that was a ridiculous job so I got made redundant a year or so later then began a brief stint in PR at FAB communications for the fabulous Lindsay Stewart and Louise Sansom. That’s when my career in publishing started, first as Food Editor at TI Media working on 23 titles including Woman&Home, Woman’s Weekly, Country Homes & Interiors, Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens and Living. After becoming Acting Food Director, I left to move to Good Food where I started as Food Copy Editor and am now Senior Food Editor & Podcast Editor, working on the core food team and hosting the Good Food podcast. In 2017, I joined the committee of the Guild of Food Writers and since 2023, I have been Chair.
Claiming it’s fate might be too much but I’m grateful for my mistake. The journey so far is one I’m proud of and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.’
itaughtthemtocook.com 