#BHSLOVETOEAT

To close out Women’s History Month we caught up with four of Miami’s most prominent female food influencers about their favorite dishes, the most influential women in their lives and what it’s like to be a leading voice in content creation.

Valentina Mussi of @SweetPortfolio dining at Makoto Bal Harbour for our #BHSLovetoEat Series.

What is your favorite dish at Makoto?

Valentina Mussi: My favorite Makoto dish has to be the Hamachi Ponzu. I could eat three orders of that. Maybe four. It is exceptionally delicious! An incredibly refreshing yet flavorful dish.

Is there a Boss-Lady that inspires you? If so, who and why?

VM: Barbara Corcoran. She is a Shark and one of the people I look up to. Her story is impressive—she became the New York real estate queen at a young age, built a huge brokerage and sold it for millions. Now, in her 70s, she invests in companies and helps other women. She is a joy to listen to and follow on social media.

As a leading female food influencer and content creator, what piece of advice would you share with a young woman aspiring to break into the scene?

VM: Do not compare yourself to others! I repeat, do not compare yourself. In this day and age, we have a rather unwanted mirror into other people’s lives. The problem is that the reflection is completely skewed. Social media only provides you a tiny glimpse—you only see their best moments, not the ugly stuff. Do not tear yourself down by focusing on others, focus on you and your content! If your photos and videos make you happy, that is what matters the most.

Name one other female-run foodie account that you love and follow?

VM: I love Christina Tosi! Mrs. Milk Bar is so OG. She took American comfort baked goods such as pie and cookies and turned them into something extraordinary. She revolutionized baked goods and sweets. Tosi made experimenting with cookies cool with her Compost Cookies. She made the “Crack Pie” and the “Cereal Milk.” If it had not been for her, I am sure I would not be here doing this today. She was one of the first people to make “Instagrammable” food.

Dana Rozansky of @MIAMI_FoodPorn dining at Carpaccio Bal Harbour for our #BHSLovetoEat Series.

What is your favorite dish at Carpaccio?

Dana Rozansky: As simple as it sounds, I love Carpaccio’s Caesar salad. Sometimes the best way to judge a place is through its classic dishes, and this one always hits the spot. You also can’t go wrong with any of their pizzas or pastas.

Is there a Boss-Lady who inspires you? If so, who and why?

DR: It’s honestly hard to choose just one. I’m lucky to surround myself with so many young female hustlers who have turned their passions into careers. It’s inspiring to be around such positive energy.

As a leading female food influencer and content creator, what piece of advice would you share with a young woman aspiring to break into the scene?

DR: Get ready to grind, because it’s not as glamorous as it’s cracked up to be on the ‘gram! Being a content creator takes true grit, patience and tireless energy, but the juice is worth the squeeze if you’re ready to work for it.

Name one other female-run foodie account that you love and follow?

DR: One of my favorites is @Everything_Delish, a Canada-based food account with the most delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. The account is run by Jamie Milne, who pours so much love and energy into every post. She’s authentic and personable and produces jaw-dropping content.

Sami Schnur of @thenaughtyfork dining at Le Zoo Bal Harbour for our #BHSLovetoEat Series.

What is your favorite dish at Le Zoo?

Sami Schnur: Favorite dish is definitely the Tagliolini with the truffle butter sauce. It’s really hard to beat a dish like that. Another thing I love ordering here is the raw bar. There’s nothing I love more than fresh seafood and a glass of wine while people-watching during happy hour here.

Is there a Boss-Lady that inspires you? If so, who and why?

SS: Lauren Melamed of Agency 21. She is the only person I know who can take on the amount of work that she does, and execute it all perfectly. Laurens’ drive and impeccable multitasking abilities inspires me to work harder and smarter. Not only is she kind to everyone around her (probably why she’s friends with 96 percent of Miami), but she is the hardest worker I know. She is truly the epitome of a BOSS LADY.

As a leading female food influencer and content creator, what piece of advice would you share with young women aspiring to break into the scene?

SS: The biggest and most important piece of advice I can give ANYONE (not even someone strictly in food) is to be original. Create content that is unique and original to you. The most successful people in any industry have created brands around themselves, and that means an identity that is uniquely theirs. Find your own angle with your videos or photos and I promise that will be the driving factor in your success.

Name one other female-run foodie account that you love and follow?

SS: Jamie from @Everything_Delish has really inspired me the past year. She is someone that has worked extremely hard despite the hardships of the last year and has grown immensely because of it. She pushes out original content and is constantly evolving to better her brand. She is definitely someone I look up to and someone I highly recommend following.

Alex Klumpp of @BEYONDSouthBeach dining at Hillstone Bal Harbour for our #BHSLovetoEat Series.

What is your favorite dish at Hillstone?

Alex Klumpp: Love, love LOVE the spinach dip! I also recently tried the Carolina Beef Ribs (an exclusive to BHS) and the sauce they smother those ribs in is sweet, tangy and highly addictive.

Is there a Boss-Lady that inspires you? If so, who and why?

AK: There are a few, but if I can choose only one… is it too cliché to say my mom, Teresa Klumpp? Growing up, my mom ran a successful nightclub/restaurant called La Covacha and managed to always pick me up on time from school each day. She was at every dance show and basketball game and continues to be my biggest cheerleader. She not only still owns/oversees the property where La Covacha was (it’s a family biz) but she also kills it as a real estate investor. All this, while having multiple sclerosis. I could almost forget she has MS because her goals, success and more importantly, joie de vivre, never faltered. No matter what is thrown at my mom, she catches it with a smile. It’s truly inspiring to witness. (Did I mention she also takes all of BSB’s photos?)

As a leading female food influencer and content creator, what piece of advice would you share with young women aspiring to break into the scene?

AK: Be authentic! And aim for different—there is too much of the same out there. I sometimes can’t even tell Instagram feeds apart. Find your niche, the audience will follow. Also, please don’t buy followers or likes. You’re doing yourself a disservice. You’ll never know what truly works or what users genuinely like if you’re doing this. Lastly, stick to it. Growth can happen overnight, but it can also take a long time—especially if you’re niche, like BSB.

Name one other female-run foodie account that you love and follow?

AK: My favorite foodie account is someone who went to University of Miami with me, @pritieats. She cooks up the most AMAZING recipes. I’m in awe each time she posts. There’s so much diversity in the recipes and cuisines, too.