A Journey with the Expert Food Content Creator and Owner of ‘Eat with Pete’
When we talk about careers related to ‘food,’ the profession of ‘food critic’ seems to be increasingly prominent. This rise is parallel to the rapid expansion of social media. What was once a niche profession has now expanded significantly. In just a few notable restaurants, we now see many hidden gems and unique recipes being showcased through captivating and professional techniques.
Standing out in the competitive world of food critics is not easy. It requires specific skills, comprehensive knowledge, and extensive experience. A food critic must provide valuable insights to their audience, covering every aspect from entering the restaurant, savoring the food, to paying the bill at the end.
One such seasoned food critic is Peerapat Tulyadechanon, better known as the owner of the page ‘Eat with Pete.’ Peerapat has been a stalwart in the food content industry for over 12 years. He is not just a food critic but also a judge on Iron Chef Thailand. Ticy City invites you to explore his journey and insights through the following article.
From a Love of Eating to ‘Eat with Pete’
Peerapat Tulyadechanon’s journey began like many others. He graduated from the Chulalongkorn University – Demonstration School Japanese program then pursued a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public relations at the Faculty of Communication Arts – Chulalongkorn University He started his career in PR.
Often, a career path can emerge from a passion, and for Peerapat, it was his love for delicious food.
“My family is Roman Catholic, and I have always loved food. Every week, I would find restaurants to visit after church. It started with creating a page to share our favorite spots with family and friends and gradually expanded to a page recommending places to friends from my master’s program.”
This humble beginning, combined with word-of-mouth and more restaurants, led Peerapat to open the page to the public. What started as a private page grew into a public one, expanding both in reach and engagement with fellow food enthusiasts over nearly 12 years.
Making Food Content ‘Delicious’
The page ‘Eat with Pete’ is a well-loved food content page, often recommended within the industry. This reflects the quality and standards of Peerapat’s content creation. Sustaining a presence in the food content scene for 12 years requires not just knowledge but also skills in filming, storytelling, and sharing experiences.
“The main approach of ‘Eat with Pete’ is to be oneself, showing clear evidence of having visited the places, and sharing honest experiences and content. It should feel like chatting with a friend who’s recommending a restaurant.”
As the page gained popularity and followers, the challenge of sponsorships arose. While sponsorships bring opportunities for new content, they also pose pressures, especially in the food content industry, which values authenticity. Peerapat handles this delicately.
“I always ensure that the places I review are genuinely good. I select restaurants based on what I want to eat or what’s trending. Not every restaurant will be great, and I am honest about that. For sponsored content, if the place needs improvement, I wait for them to make changes and then revisit.”
Beyond restaurant reviews, ‘Eat with Pete’ covers various topics, including collectibles, hotel reviews, and lifestyle content, keeping the page fresh and engaging. His roles as a judge on ‘Iron Chef Thailand’ and ‘Shell Chuan Chim’ also contribute to the page’s reputation.
“As a judge on Iron Chef Thailand and Shell Chuan Chim, it may help followers be more open to trying new places that I recommend. At the very least, they might think if the Iron Chef judge recommends it, it must be good.”
Lessons from 12 Years of Food Content Creation
Despite his extensive experience, Peerapat acknowledges the new challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, which impacted both his work and the restaurant business of Saha Omakase.
“Things have changed. Many places have had to adapt to more delivery services and expand their sales channels. This new normal, while challenging initially, has created interesting opportunities for both businesses and consumers, allowing more people to try new places more easily.”
Reflecting on his 12-year journey in food content creation, Peerapat shares valuable insights for aspiring food content creators.
“I still believe that Thai food is highly versatile and adaptable, perhaps more than any other cuisine. Working in this field and seeing how passionate people are about food and how they create delicious dishes with such dedication motivates me to share my experiences and help them grow.”
When asked for tips on becoming a successful and enduring food content creator, Peerapat sums it up simply:
“Experience the food yourself, be honest in your reviews, and don’t just think about making money. That’s how you can sustain your journey.”
