Hugh Thomas, food journalist and pitching mentor

Shot in Paris for an airline magazine. This could be you?

So you want to be a food writer?

Getting your writing into magazines in newspapers is hard. If only there was a way to quickly learn the essentials, and start earning decent money, as a freelance writer…

Well, funny you should say that – I run a 1-to-1 online course designed around exactly this problem. It’s called So you want to be a (paid and published) food writer? and it guarantees to help you land food stories editors can’t resist. Or I give you your money back.

So you want to be a (paid and published) food writer?
£400.00
One time

Immediate access to the lessons, resources, and 1-to-1 support that'll help you become a professional food writer.

“Food stories editors can’t resist,” you say?

In my first pitch ever, I landed a piece with The Guardian.

Sure, I got a little lucky. But after honing my technique, I’m writing for the Independent, Time Out, Great British Chefs, Smithsonian, and Ferment – which pay hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds for my work.

I know what makes a good pitch. And as part of this course, I’ll share that knowledge with you.

Together, we’ll develop your ideas and land your food stories with paying publications. Along with the fiddly bits of this dark art, like negotiating better fees, managing rejections, and summoning the confidence to send people your ideas in the first place.

Again – this course offers a sure-fire way for anyone to land their food stories in print media. If the course fails to live up to that promise, you’ll get your money back.

What So you want to be a food writer? students are saying


Hugh’s guidance, teaching and constructive mentoring gave me the confidence and skills to help me achieve my first commissioned piece of food writing – the buzz from that first published piece was incredible
— Jamie Ellis, food writer
Within two weeks of reaching out to Hugh, I was pitching to a top food publication and received a response! Hugh was always a step ahead in answering questions I was thinking about.
— Lonny Thomas, food writer and artist

Who is this course for?

Everyone who has a strong interest in food can write about it. This course tends to best serve:

  • Writers and journalists looking to expand their beat or areas of interest

  • Chefs and industry professionals wanting to share their knowledge more widely

  • Journalism students interested in specialising in food and drink

  • Journalism students looking for real-world experience in selling articles to newspapers and magazines

  • Food-lovers wanting to write professionally for the first time

Still not sure this course is for you? Wing me a message and we’ll get to the bottom of it.

You’ll come out of this course with…

  • The confidence to overcome the mental blocks holding you back from pitching now

  • A targeted list of paying publications accepting stories about food and drink

  • The knowledge of where exactly to find your next story idea

  • The exact formula needed to craft a successful pitch – with real examples

  • Tools to elevate you from ‘aspiring’ to ‘professional’ food writer

  • Ongoing 1-on-1 guidance from a seasoned food writer

Pricing

The fee for this course is £400.*

This comes with a guarantee that, during it, your pitches will bag a paid commission from a publication. Or you get your money back.

*I’m giving priority to marginalised and otherwise underrepresented writers – if you this is too much more than what you’re able to pay, email me and we’ll sort something out.

So you want to be a (paid and published) food writer?
£400.00
One time

Immediate access to the lessons, resources, and 1-to-1 support that'll help you become a professional food writer.


✓ Lessons to help you get from 'aspiring' to 'pro' food writer
✓ Full 1-to-1 support from food journalist Hugh Thomas
✓ Money-back guarantee

(In)frequently Asked Questions

When does the course start?

Enrolment is ongoing, so whenever you like.

Where does it take place? 

It’s all remote, via online lessons and 1-to-1 correspondence with me. Which is to say, completely accessible to anyone with a computer and internet connection.

Can it be for writers who don’t write about food?

It’s not designed to be – there’s a few resources that won’t be relevant. Then again, most of  what’s learned in the course can be applied to any other sector. Hit me up and we’ll see what could work for a reduced fee.

How does it take shape?

The course starts with immediate access to the lessons that’ll help you become a published food writer. More specifically, it teaches you how to find the right confidence to put your ideas out there, what publications might be best for you to target, what stories they want to hear about, and – ultimately – the strategy of how to pitch them.

The course is built around these lessons, with 1-to-1 guidance from me throughout.

How long does it last?

That depends on how fast you want, and are able, to work. Only got half an hour a week of spare time to learn the art of pitching? No problem. Have an entire week free? That might be all you need to become a paid and published food writer.


What if the guarantee isn’t fulfilled?

There is a basic service agreement we’ll stick by, but essentially, if within a 3-month period the criteria isn’t met, you have the option to continue receiving my tuition and the course or get your fee refunded.

Have another question? Send it right this way