Marisel Salazar

Have you met Marisel Salazar yet? If not, let us formally introduce you to this talented food writer, restaurant brand strategist and entrepreneur at-large. You can spot her byline in magazines like Zagat and Michelin Guide and Wine Enthusiast. She also hosts conversations about restaurants and various cuisines regularly with networks like NY1, MSG and Spirits; hangs out with big name chefs; and used to get paid to go travel, eat and write. But beyond the name dropping and glorification of status to familiarize you with her accomplishments, Salazar is particularly inspiring because of the way she has created a bespoke career all centered around her love and appreciation for food and dining. Currently, Salazar is working on hosting and producing a documentary about the financial effects of Covid-19 on restaurants, with the intention to get tailored federal aid for restaurants passed. You’ll want to check out her Instagram for developments on that, as well as a palatable array of Latin foods that may nudge you to get a bit more creative in the kitchen this year. Marisel Salazar is a self-starter, a creative connoisseur and can weather a storm like a champ—all of which and so much more make her so damn Dandy.

It's been quite a year. How are you doing mentally?

Motivated yet exhausted! I normally live on an above average level of activity and stress, but this year has been a yo-yo of emotions and professional, personal, and health upheavals. With every breakdown comes a breakthrough, and a breakthrough is coming for me.

We read you were born in Panama and grew up in a ton of different cities. What did your parents do that led you to experience such an adventurous childhood?

My mother's second husband was an American that was in the Navy, so that's how we started moving all over the world. I can't imagine not living in more places in the future.

What was your family's relationship to food? Was dinner a whole event?

My relationship with food has always been a form of exploration, considering the various countries I lived abroad in. It was a way to get accustomed to our surroundings internationally, but also feel connected to Panama and our family that was away.

Your meals on Instagram look incredible. What have you cooked today or what do you plan on making?

I’m really craving a tortilla española the way I learned to make it in Madrid. I need to do that soon. But as we are in the midst of Latinx Heritage Month, I’ve been eating LOTS of Latin food like tostones, arroz con piña, chocoflan, and arroz imperial.

Your food writing seems to have taken you many places. What are some of your favorite restaurants throughout the world?

I’d never felt so happy in recent memory as I did when I went to West Sweden. I traveled to Gothenburg, Ramsvik, Smögen and more. The food is incredibly fresh with a hyper-focus on sustainability. I dined on a seaside cliff with chef Thomas Sjögren of Skärets Krog in Smögen feasting on pickled herring, boiled potatoes bathed in brown butter, sautéed beach kale, freshly shaken sour cream. I had a fairytale forest lunch in Gunnebo, foraging and cooking my own food with Chef Hannes Högberg. We had carrots in brown butter w/ soft boiled eggs with crisped hazelnuts, yogurt, and chervil.

My work and extended family take me to Italy quite often. They are from the gem that is the tourist-free, beachside city of Reggio Calabria. Every morning we wake up and have gelato and brioche for breakfast from Sottozero (Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 83, 89125 Reggio Calabria RC, Italy; +39 0965 24170) then go to the beach and lido to lap up the sun. I’d never known true Southern Italian food until I went to Sicily and gorged myself across Noto, Siracusa, and Palermo. Trento and Alto Adige for wines. Parma for the incredible cheeses and meats. Rome for a romantic solo trip by yourself. I could write a whole guide on Italy. In another life, I’d like to be Danish and live in Copenhagen. The food and pastries are obviously world-class and the architecture, people, fashion, and way of life are incredible.

What was one of the worst jobs you ever had on your way to creating your dream career?

My worst job was from a client that paid me the most money. At first the relationship started out beautifully, but a member of the client team was incredibly toxic and truly out to get me and embarrass me in front of the team. I would be high anxiety, just waiting to get thrown under the bus or embarrassed. No amount of diplomatic conversations helped, but this client supported me a lot financially, so it was difficult to walk away—so I didn’t. I dealt/suffered with this client member, but money is necessary and alluring and I was learning how much shit I was able to take, which is apparently a lot. Soon I realized, why was I suffering for them and not something I cared about?

The restaurant industry is reeling right now. Given that you are so close to it, how are your restaurant owner and chef friends handling this awfulness? What is the general sentiment among your NYC industry friends?

Everyone has been punched in the gut. When restaurants fail, everyone along the food chain is affected, myself included. All of my clients were restaurants, so when they had to put things to a halt that included me too. Their success is directly tied to mine. My restaurant industry friends are feeling all the feels, but remain hopeful and steadfast. They are struggling. They need FEDERAL help. Tailored federal help. Takeout and outdoor dining will not be enough. That’s why I am hosting and producing this documentary on the financial effects of coronavirus on restaurants, to help get tailored federal aid for restaurants passed.

Where in NYC do you live? What are your favorite bars/restaurants in your neighborhood?

I live in Manhattan! In my immediate area, there is NOTHING. But a few avenues or streets over is where the fun starts: Gena's Restaurant and Grill - Dominican spot with great pernil and goat. Casa Adela - Puerto Rican spot. Devoción - Colombian coffee. Rezdora. Sugarfish. Laut Singapura.
Zaragoza Mexican Deli.

You seem to juggle a ton of different jobs, from freelancing to creative consulting. What are you working on the most these days?

I've been writing a ton these days. Some of my writing is for brands or for corporate blogs, so they’re not something you would know is necessarily penned by me. I am also producing and hosting a documentary about restaurants and the effects of Covid-19, which has been quite extensive and time consuming, but I am very passionate about it. I’ve also been cooking. I have a ton of brand collaborations coming up with food magazines on social media, so stay on the lookout for delicious things coming to your feed.

What's a food or a food combination that you love that is either highly underrated or widely disliked?

Swiss Miss Marshmallow hot chocolate (made with water) with crushed salted Ritz cracker. It is divine! I've been doing this since I was a little kid. My mother, sister, and I would crush a sleeve of Ritz each doing this. It's so lovely, chocolate-y, and salty.

On that topic, how annoying is it when you're eating something you love and someone you're with expresses how "gross" they think it is. In your experience, is that something that only Americans tend to say?

I have seen this reaction worldwide. Everyone thinks they are the arbiter of taste, no matter what country they are from. I just see it as a form of bad manners.

Share any silver linings you've come to realize over the past few months, if any:

I was getting sucked into work that I didn't want to do and a potential red flag client (we had just started our working relationship and I was getting some warning signs). Covid-19 effectively wiped out my private brand comms clients, but it also allowed for the slate to be cleaned and let me think about what I actually wanted to do and how I was going to do it. Money is incredibly alluring and great at quietly and seductively pulling you away from your actual dreams and goals in exchange for safety and security. I was not safe and secure and I wasn't making any money, so I was like, why not absolutely re-center myself and go back to really pursuing projects and work I cared about?

Which country or city has a food culture that you identify with the most and why?

I love Danish food and culture. It is fine dining, yet healthy and fast casual while being comforting and hygge. I love their baked goods like terbirkes (poppyseed pastry) and cinnamon twists (kannelsnur). They love fish, carbs and fermentation.

If you're trying to eat "healthy" what are some go-to recipes (or spices/condiments) that still have delicious flavor?

Instead of salt or butter, I load up on spice blends like my homemade sazón on EVERYTHING or squeeze citrus like lemon or spritz of vinegar.

What's something that unreasonably annoys you?

The ping that iMessage or Whatsapp makes. It drives me insane. I also get really stressed out when I hear the Microsoft Outlook sound when an email is received. I had a demanding client that used it and hearing it reminds me of them. I also can't do anything until I've made my bed in the morning.

Share marketing tips for women starting up their business and trying to grow their social following:

Always be networking. Always advertise yourself. It will be exhausting, but if you're not in a financial position to pay someone to do this for you (marketing assistant/team, public relations person, assistant or social media manager), you must go out there and pursue clients and followers. It's simply not enough to exist—you must be heard. Partner or collaborate with other like-minded folks and always share your work across social media consistently. Consistency is also key. Reach out to publications and pitch yourself as an expert or offer to give advice to their reader as someone in the industry.

Your five essential beauty products:

Sunscreen. Aloe vera juice. I drink it every night before bed and it helps moisturize my skin from the inside out. Vitamins/probiotics. Under eye concealer from Nars. My circles aren't leaving anytime soon. I keep them camouflaged with a thick, brightening concealer. Trader Joe's Spearmint Lip Balm.

Your vices:

Croissants, cereal, murder podcasts, not cooking.