Today we’d like to introduce you to Jelly Ruiz.
Hi Jelly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started the Chef Jelly media journey in 2016 as a sophomore in high school. The first social channel opened was YouTube, there I would introduce my favorite go-to baking recipes. A couple of months later, I opened up an Instagram dedicated to driving my new audience over to youtube to watch my videos. Or as I thought… as a hungry teen, I started branching out of the typical fast foods and started eating local.
I would document my experiences through my Instagram page, showcasing central Florida’s hidden restaurant gems, frequenting visits to Disney World and discovering culinary creations throughout the four parks. I had the best time just having fun, posting content, and entertaining the world through my point of view! My focus throughout the next years was mostly on graduating Culinary school and posting on Instagram due to the instant community I gained. I never thought about taking content creation seriously until a restaurant reached out to me inviting @ChefJellys to a media event. I thought to myself, “This restaurant really choose ME?” There I tapped into a whole new world, community, and passion. With venturing all over central’s Florida’s best restaurants and eats, I came to a conclusion to make a hobby into a potential career. I bought several cameras, got an Associates in Culinary Arts, a certificate as a Vegan chef, got another degree in Social Media Marketing, started a media business, opened a home bakery, and opened a Tik Tok. I am all in! So far, the turnout as been great! As I continue to write my story, I hope you can follow along with me! You can find me on all social platforms as @ChefJellys.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest struggle I have faced is the lack of awareness in food media. I specifically mean food media marketing. This kind of marketing sways consumers to be aware of, purchase, or visit restaurants or check out food brands. I recommend these products or crafted dishes to my audience in which increases companies sales and revenues. Basically like a commercial you see on TV. Since I do have a background in social media and am aware of trends, I do my best to create all my content in the most professional way possible. Light-hearted and likeable for all to enjoy. As a freelancer/influencer, I get asked a lot to collaborate for free or exchange for products or meals. Unfortunately, ten bags of chips to not equivalate to the amount of hours and investment spent to create content.
Locally, the concept of food media is slowly but surely getting more valued and shed light on. Still, there are tons of awkward conversations helping restaurant/food brand owners understand the importance of media for both them and I. Internationally, the concept of media in-general is fairly new. Both companies and creators are both finding value in negotiation and self-worth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Jelly Ruiz lives in Orlando, Florida. She is a Culinary Artist who attended over 5+ years of Culinary School Training. With a hobby for the media and a passion for the culinary arts, she tied those together to create the Chef Jelly brand! What sets Jelly apart from other “foodies”, is that she understands and appreciates the art in every food created and can make it too.
Chef Jellys serves as a marketing platform in Culinary Media News for Orlando locals, visitors, and businesses looking for the latest Culinary Creations. There is great content for everyone! Chef Jelly prides itself in featuring the best consumable products from commissariats, cuisines locally and around the country.
What matters most to you? Why?
My ultimate goal is to attend the best culinary school in America! One of the reasons why I started Chef Jellys was to “get my foot in the door” within the culinary world. I have tasted some of the most exceptional and elevated dishes throughout central Florida! This really helps me discover all the potential within which ingredients marry well, plating, concepts, meeting personalities, and so much more! I know so far in this journey, I definitely have learned so much more than I could have imagined. I do want to be worldly recognized, but I am still figuring out in what, but I am confident in whatever it is, I will excel.
Contact Info:
- Email: chefjellymail@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefjellys
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=chefjellys
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefjellys
