Meet Amber of Bites of Bull City

You don’t want to miss out on getting to know another one of our fellow NC Blogger Network members! This week, we’d love for you to {Meet} Amber who blogs over at Bites of Bull City. Give her a little listen!

Let’s Meet Amber of Bites of Bull City

1. How long have you been blogging?

I’ve blogged personally about topics like home improvement projects, etc. in the past, but nothing was very public until the creation of my Durham food blog, Bites of Bull City, which I’ve had for a year and a half.

While it’s still relatively “new,” Bites of Bull City has come a long way since day one and has gained good momentum. About a month ago, I introduced an official logo and moved my blog to a newly redesigned website.

2. What do you blog about?

Bites of Bull City is a food and restaurant news blog. I try to be different from regular “restaurant review blogs” in that I mostly blog about local foodie news. I have a lot of restaurant and local media connections and a background in writing and publishing that gives me extra insight into the latest and tastiest news around town. I use those skills to put together Q&A’s with chefs of new restaurants, menu previews, and stories about the local food scene. It’s a way for North Carolina residents and visitors to get an insider’s look at the exciting and ever-expanding Durham food scene.

3. Where are you blogging from in NC?

I blog from the city I live in, work in, and eat in: Durham, North Carolina.

4. Why did you start blogging?  

My husband and I relocated to Durham a few years ago, in part, knowing that it was a growing and thriving city with a very cool vibe and plenty of delicious cuisines. Still, we could have never predicted how much and how fast the city would evolve, including what seems like the opening of a new restaurant every other week or so.

Shortly after moving to Durham and working for a lifestyle magazine in Wake County, I began to forward all the press releases about new Durham restaurants to my foodie husband who would then forward it to his foodie co-workers… and so on. Eventually, I thought, I should just find a way to share this kind of news directly with all Bull City area foodies, thus Bites of Bull City was born!

The blog really is a perfect match for my creative passion (writing) and my love of local restaurants and food.

5. Out of all the posts you’ve written, which one (or two) would you pick as your favorite?

I really like the pre-opening Q&A’s that feature input from local owners/chefs because it provides a chance for readers (and me) to get the inside scoop about highly anticipated eateries. I get really excited to learn about what’s in store and so does everyone else as they usually end up being some of my most-viewed and shared posts. Check out my latest Pre-Opening Q&A with Lucky’s Deli!

6. What’s one piece of advice you’d share with your fellow bloggers?  

Don’t be afraid to let the direction of your blog occur organically. Blogging usually begins as a labor of love and as a creative outlet, so it’s naturally going to change and evolve over time and you should always be open and excited about seeing where it goes. Instead of getting stuck or putting too much pressure on what you think your blog should be, see where it goes organically (where your interests lean; what the audience enjoys; what makes it unique) and then head in that direction. It will always be evolving in new and exciting ways if you let it.

7. What are you looking forward to as a blogger in the upcoming months? 

I’ve started off 2016 accomplishing two big goals: Having a professional logo designed and converting my blog to a more professional WordPress site. I’m thrilled to have completed these two projects and to take Bites of Bull City to the next level! I have more plans for increasing marketing efforts and creating more ways to connect chefs, restaurants, and foodies.

8. Where can we find you on the web? (You can click the links below to connect with Amber)

• Website: Bites of Bull City
• Facebook: Bites of Bull City
• Twitter: @bitesofbullcity
• Google+: Amber W
• Instagram: @bitesofbullcity 
• Pinterest: BitesofBullCity

Amber is a foodie and writer with a background in publishing who strives to maintain an interesting and up-to-date blog and website featuring local insider foodie news ranging from pre-opening restaurant Q&As, behind-the-scenes menu previews, foodie event highlights, and even delicious local giveaways. Take a peek at her blog, Bites of Bull City, and don’t forget to connect with her on Twitter @bitesofbullcity!