How to hire a food writer

How to hire a food writer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step food writer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a food writer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new food writer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The food writer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a food writer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a food writer that fits the bill.

   This list presents food writer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Food Writer	Description	Hourly rate
   Food Writer	Reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts inform the public about news and events happening internationally, nationally, and locally. They report the news for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and radio.	$18-50
   Public Relations	Public relations is a strategic way of developing and maintaining a client's or company's public image through media coverage, appearances, and press releases by designing and developing events to raise funds or to spread awareness to the public regarding products, brands, or individuals. It involves research and evaluation of programs including financial, marketing, employee, or government relations using topics of public interest and news items... Show more	$15-34
   Media Consultant	A media consultant is responsible for coordinating with different people and groups to boost brand awareness and promote the brand image to the public through media communication. Media consultants work closely with the marketing or public relations team to conduct press releases, develop media campaigns, and advise executives with their speech during interviews and other related public appearances... Show more	$15-42

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Wine
   • Culinary
   • SEO
   • Facebook
   • Press Releases
   • Blogging
   • Blog Posts

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage website by uploading and scheduling articles, fixing errors, proofreading, optimizing for SEO, and polishing content.
   • Edit feature articles written by chefs and other culinary experts.
   • Develop cornerstone articles and recipes featuring regional cuisine, local foods, and culinary history.
   • Write and edit fiction and non-fiction text to accompany products release and distribute internationally.
   • Consult with publisher on editorial strategies and content direction.
   • Create content in a variety of mediums including words, photos, gifs and cinemagraphs for editorial and news reporting.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your food writer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A food writer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, food writers' average salary in hawaii is 46% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level food writers 64% less than senior-level food writers.
   • Certifications. A food writer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a food writer's salary.

   Average food writer salary

   $63,594yearly

   $30.57 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level food writer salary

   $38,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 30, 2025

4. Writing a food writer job description

   A food writer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a food writer job description:

   Food writer job description example

   Job DescriptionOrders, replenishes and merchandises prepared foods products and participates in regional programs for purchasing and promotions. Monitors inventory control and replenishes product. Assists in organizing and developing promotional displays and maintaining OTS standards. All Whole Foods Market Retail jobs require ensuring a positive company image by providing courteous, friendly, and efficient service to customers and Team Members at all times. All positions must be performed in accordance with team and store Standard Operating Procedures. Further, Team Members must be prepared and able to perform the duties inherent in other Team Member job descriptions. All positions must strive to support WFM core values and goals, promote national, regional, and store programs and initiatives, and ensure adherence to all applicable health and safety regulations including Food Safety and regulatory duties required in the department.Responsibilities
   + Purchases and replenishes food for preparation through proper buying procedures.
   
   + Monitors and acts upon open PO reports for both purchases and credits in an accurate and timely manner.
   
   + Controls spoilage and shrink, achieves turn goals, participates in inventory.
   
   + Completes spoilage, sampling, temperature, and sweep worksheets as required.
   
   + Assists with counter service and cooks as scheduled or as necessary.
   
   + Communicates with Kitchen Manager / Chef and Team Leader on ordering needs and issues.
   
   + Maintains positive working relationship with vendors.
   
   + Works with Team Leader or Assistant Team Leader(s) to cost recipes.
   
   + Oversees customer special order procedure.
   
   + Supports leadership in conducting inventories.
   
   + Maintains financial profitability by meeting and exceeding purchasing and sales targets.
   
   + Arrives to work station on time, appropriately groomed, dressed and ready to work; works all scheduled shifts and attends required trainings and meetings.
   
   + Provides excellent customer service, addresses needs of customers in a timely and effective manner and models suggestive selling techniques; answers phones and pages promptly and courteously.
   
   + Maximizes sales potential through effective and proper procedures for prepping, storing, rotating, stocking, and merchandising product.
   
   + Follows and complies, or ensures compliance, with established procedures, including Weights and Measures, health and sanitation, and safe work practices.
   
   + Maintains, or ensures maintenance of, a clean and sanitary working and shopping environment; maintains equipment in accordance with WFM cleanliness and safety standards.
   
   + Performs opening, mid, and closing duties as assigned; ensures accuracy of signs and pricing.
   
   + Immediately reports safety hazards and violations.
   
   Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
   
   + Extensive product knowledge, including production, distribution, seasonal availability, advances, and trends.
   
   + Ability to create and negotiate price bids.
   
   + Familiarity and/or willingness to learn about products, nutritional information, and other areas of study.
   
   + Working knowledge and application of all Prepared Foods merchandising expectations.
   
   + Complete understanding of WFM margin program and profitability.
   
   + Ability to educate team on product knowledge and convey enthusiasm.
   
   + Strong basic math skills.
   
   + Knowledge and ability to use computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and ordering systems.
   
   + Strong to excellent communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team.
   
   + Ability to deliver information in a clear and respectable manner to fellow Team Members, customers, and vendors.
   
   + Ability to meet customer service expectations and standards in all interactions with customers, vendors, and Team Members.
   
   + Ability to follow directions and procedures; effective time management and organization skills.
   
   + Passion for natural foods and the mission of Whole Foods Market.
   
   + Strong work ethic and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency.
   
   + Understanding of and compliance with WFM quality goals.
   
   Desired Work Experiences
   
   + 1+ years of Buying/Merchandising
   
   Physical Requirements / Working Conditions
   
   + Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
   
   + In an 8-hour work day: standing/walking 6-8 hours.
   
   + Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling.
   
   + Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting and reaching.
   
   + Exposure to FDA approved cleaning chemicals.
   
   + Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
   + Ability to work in wet and dry conditions.
   
   + Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
   
   + Ability to use tools and equipment, including knives, box cutters, electric pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery.
   
   + May require use of ladders.
   
   Note: The purpose of this document is to provide a general summary of essential responsibilities for the position and is not meant as an exhaustive list. This document does not reflect all job duties or requirements for every position. Requirements build as one progresses through the job levels, so any job duties required at a lower level may be required at the higher level in addition to the duties listed for that higher level. Duties, assignments, and other responsibilities may differ for similar positions based on business conditions, departmental or geographic location, and/or needs for the particular position. An individual must demonstrate successful performance in their current position before being considered for promotion. In addition, in order to promote into a higher-level position, a business need for the promotion must exist and the candidate must be considered the most qualified person for the new position. Completion of certain milestones such as obtaining an advanced degree or certification, time in current position, or developing skills to perform at the higher-level role do not guarantee a promotion.
   
   At Whole Foods Market, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all Team Members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Whole Foods Market hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right food writer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with food writers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit food writers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your food writer job on Zippia to find and attract quality food writer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with food writer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new food writer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the food writer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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