Every month, Substack food writers gather together for a Mastermind meeting and if you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you.
Hello. I’m Rebecca, a food writer with two recipe websites and a Substack newsletter. I started this group in January of 2025 as a way to link arms with fellow food writers and deepen the community of support.
I actually do believe that a rising tide lifts all boats and thought that a monthly mastermind meeting would be a great way to create more opportunities for growth through collaboration and learning. The experience has been better than I could have ever imagined.
The food writers that have shown up to these meetings are among the most generous, competent, intelligent, kindhearted people I’ve ever known.
There are two meetings every month to accommodate the fact that we are scattered all over the world. Find the date and time that works best for you or join them both!
Meetings are usually on Wednesdays and last 90 minutes.
They are held on Zoom and recorded for anyone who isn’t able to make it.
All you have to do to attend is subscribe, then watch your in-box for the monthly meeting invite.
Meeting structure
The first 30 minutes is a mini-masterclass where someone from the group has volunteered in advance to teach us something. This is a talented group with a wide range of experience, so topics vary!
After the 30 minute Mini-Masterclass, we divide into breakout rooms. Continue the discussion about the thing you just learned or dive into another topic. It’s up to you. The breakout rooms are a chance for a deeper discussion with a smaller group of people.
For the final 30 minutes, we return to the large group to wrap things up and take care of any announcements and housekeeping items.
Upcoming meeting dates
Wednesday, February 11: 8am, London (British Standard Time); Meeting host: Liza Debevec
Wednesday, February 18: 11am, New York (Eastern Standard Time); Meeting host: Rebecca Blackwell
Wednesday, March 4: 11 am, New York (Eastern Standard Time); Meeting host: Rebecca Blackwell
Wednesday, March 18: 8am, London (British Standard Time); Meeting host: Liza Debevec
Wednesday, April 1: 11 am, New York (Eastern Daylight Time); Meeting host: Rebecca Blackwell
Wednesday, April 8: 8 am, London (British Summer Time); Meeting host: Liza Debevec
How to get the most out of the meeting
Come to the meeting prepared to ask questions and offer feedback. We all have different areas of expertise and one of the most valuable things about a mastermind is the shared knowledge pool. Be prepared to offer feedback, tips, and ideas to others in the group when you have something to offer.
Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for how we can make these meetings as valuable as possible for all of us!
All you have to do to attend is subscribe then watch your in-box for the monthly meeting invite.
Office Hours
In addition to the two Mastermind meetings, join us for Office Hours with host Chef Carla Contreras
Office Hours is a quieter, more collaborative way to get feedback, work through blocks, and spend time with people who get what you’re creating. Whether you’re refining your Substack, working on a recipe, or just need a focused window to work, this space is for you!
This isn’t a networking call and it’s not content you’ll consume. It’s the community joining to focus on creation. Come as you are, bring what you’re working on, and choose how you want to show up that day.
Who Office Hours is for: People actively building or working on something for your Substack: Writing, recipe development, or perhaps, something in the backend of your publication like your welcome emails, about page or a new bio.
Office Hours Structure:
Open coworking session: Come and go as needed
Choose your mode: Quiet focus time or real-time feedback in small groups
Optional opening share prompt: Tell us what’s one thing that you will work on during this session? Please share a link to your publication.
Breakout rooms created at random for connection + clarity (10 mins)
Mini hot seats (5–10 mins) available for anyone who wants eyes on something. Put your ask in the chat and we will ask the group who wants to share and support you in a breakout room.
Optional closing share prompt: Tell us what’s one thing that you will take away from today’s session?
Wednesday, November 19th: 12pm - 2pm , New York (Eastern Standard Time)
Follow this link to register for this month’s office hours: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-sEt-k7HQ72sam1QBvwi9Q
After you register for office hours, you will receive an email that will allow you to add the meeting to your calendar in your time zone.
