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Freelance Recipe Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Studio Video Journalist

New York, NY · On-site

$113K - $132K/yr

Coordinate closely with recipe editors, project managers, culinary support staff and our studio ... Coordinate complex studio and field logistics between in-house production and freelancers.

Freelance Recipe Tester information

What is the difference between Freelance Recipe Tester vs Food Blogger?

AspectFreelance Recipe TesterFood Blogger
CredentialsCooking skills, food safety knowledgeCooking skills, photography, writing
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, client sitesHome or on-the-go, online platforms
Employer/Industry UsageFood companies, publishersPersonal brand, media outlets
Search/Comparison IntentRecipe testing, food qualityFood content creation, audience engagement

Freelance Recipe Testers focus on evaluating recipes for accuracy and quality, often working with food companies or publishers. Food Bloggers create content to engage an online audience, combining cooking with photography and storytelling. While both roles require culinary skills, their work environments and goals differ significantly.

What are some common challenges freelance recipe testers face when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Freelance recipe testers often juggle projects for several clients, which can present challenges such as managing overlapping deadlines, adapting to different recipe formats, and meeting varying expectations for feedback detail. Effective organization and communication are key—testers must keep careful records of each project’s requirements and timelines to avoid errors or missed deadlines. Additionally, adjusting to a range of cuisines and testing protocols can require flexibility and a willingness to continuously learn new skills.

What are freelance recipe testers?

Freelance recipe testers are culinary professionals who are hired on a project basis to test, evaluate, and provide feedback on recipes before they are published or shared with a wider audience. Their work ensures that recipes are accurate, easy to follow, and yield consistent results for home cooks or readers. Freelance recipe testers often work for cookbooks, magazines, food blogs, or companies developing new food products. They meticulously follow recipes, note any issues, and make suggestions for improvements to enhance clarity and success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Recipe Tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Recipe Tester, you need strong culinary knowledge, attention to detail, and experience with food preparation and recipe interpretation. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, digital documentation tools, and sometimes food safety certifications are typically required. Excellent communication, organization, and the ability to provide clear, constructive feedback are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure accurate recipe validation, reliable results, and valuable insights for recipe developers and publishers.
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Studio Video Journalist

Other

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

NYT Cooking is looking for a creative, highly skilled Studio Video Producer to execute and elevate our in-studio video content. You will join an interdisciplinary team dedicated to helping home cooks discover the world's best recipes.

In this role, you will be the on-set creative force utilizing a wide-range of video formats, from stand-alone recipe videos to personality-driven series. Working alongside a team of videographers, culinary producers, food stylists and video editors, you will produce and direct high-quality video content featuring a diverse roster of culinary talent.

You will act as the primary producer for talent-driven shoots in the NYT Studio Kitchen.. You'll build strong partnerships with talent, helping developers translate their creative vision into clear, service-oriented takeaways for the NYT Cooking audience. You will manage the end-to-end production logistics - from building crews and directing in the studio to writing scripts and guiding the post-production process. Ultimately, you are a hands-on visual storyteller who understands the nuances of food production, thrives in a collaborative team environment and excels at making external on-camera talent feel confident, supported and prepared.

This is an in-office position based in New York and includes regular attendance in the office four days each week.

Responsibilities:

  • Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.

  • Produce, direct and edit multi-camera video shoots featuring independent recipe creators, ensuring all technical, visual and culinary aspects meet NYT Cooking's rigorous standards.

  • Coordinate closely with recipe editors, project managers, culinary support staff and our studio manager to ensure shoots are productive and deadlines are met.

  • Act as the video production point-of-contact for recipe creators, assisting them through the production process, guiding their on-camera delivery and ensuring their personality and voice shines through.
  • Foster excellent relationships with recipe creators in our network and encourage long-term partnerships.
  • Coordinate complex studio and field logistics between in-house production and freelancers.
  • Collaborate during the editing process by providing helpful notes on videos and taking passback edits from freelancers as needed.
  • Publish videos to NYT Cooking's platforms (including YouTube) and use platform analytics and data-driven insights to refine future content and formats.
  • Collaborate with recipe editors, social media editors and project managers to pitch, develop and adapt creator recipes into compelling video formats, scripts and shot lists.
  • Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
  • This role reports to the Supervising Producer, NYT Cooking.

Basic Qualifications:

  • 4+ years of relevant experience producing and directing digital video for an online audience within the food, lifestyle or personality-driven media space.
  • Experience directing on-camera talent who have strong video production and editing backgrounds; you can tactfully validate their creative instincts while enforcing NYT Cooking's unique video identity.
  • Clear understanding of video platform analytics (Youtube).
  • The ability to edit quickly and accurately with Adobe Premiere Pro.
  • Experience creating scripts and outlines for video editors and taking passback edits.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • On-set experience producing or directing recipe videos and working collaboratively with culinary support staff.
  • A strategic mind with a bend toward testing and iterating to find what visual formats resonate with different audiences.
  • Well-versed in the world of social and digital food media, with a keen eye on what creators and competitors are doing across platforms.
  • A highly collegial team player with a positive attitude and a willingness to pitch in when needed to accomplish the goals of a small team.
  • A deep passion for food, cooking and the mission of The New York Times.

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

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