Here's why you want to follow this favorite local NJ food influencer
Editor's note: This is the third story in a series profiling the people behind some of our favorite local foodie Instagram accounts. Previous profiles include Cat Riechers of @nj_foodtravels and Jennifer Nangano of @foodaholicnj.
Picture this: You are scrolling through Instagram, flipping from one photo to the next, when one makes you stop.
Maybe it's a perfect cheese pull on a giant mozzarella stick, an eye-catching twirl of pasta, or a towering ice cream sundae. Instantly, you're hungry.
Chances are that photo was posted by an influencer, a food-loving social media user sharing their favorite bites with the world.
Kacie Duesterdick is one of these influencers, documenting her adventures in food on her Instagram page, @seasthedish. Duesterdick is a Jersey girl: She grew up in Old Bridge, spent many years in Bradley Beach, and now lives in Sussex County.
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“My friend and I started our Instagram in 2019 because we loved sharing our foodie adventures with one another and wanted to showcase them on the platform,” said Duesterdick, 34, who works in marketing. “I was living down the shore at the time, so after toying around the idea and coming up with the perfect name, Seasthedish was born.”
Read on for more from Duesterdick.
How often do you post, and how did you build your following?
We try to post as frequently as possible, but it depends on how often we’re dining out, how much content we have available and if/when it pertains to current events or holidays, time of year, etc. We manage it daily, but we try to post at least two times per week.
Our entire following has been organic. It takes a lot of time, dedication and persistence, (including) constant social management, tagging and engaging with restaurants, fellow content creators, followers etc. Consistent engagement is key.
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What kind of posts do you find get the most attention?
Reels definitely get the most attention. I think a lot of this has to do with the algorithm of Instagram but also because they’re more interactive than static posts. It especially helps when we incorporate voiceovers, captions, trending music, etc. It is a very-time consuming process but so fun to see the finished product, and (it is) especially exciting when the establishment we’re featuring is proud of it as well.
Any advice for an inspiring influencer?
Keep it authentic. Don’t try to do (something) just because it’s what you think everyone else is doing. We started seasthedish to have fun and showcase the fantastic establishments in and around the Garden State. We know some posts are a hit and others a flop, but at the end of the day we’re keeping it as authentic as possible and having fun with it! That’s all we can do, and we hope we can provide recommendations and/or create a connections along the way.
What is your favorite food?
It might be basic, but I’d have to say my favorite food is wood-fired pizza! There are so many incredible restaurants and food trucks serving up creative pies with delicious dough. Next would be seafood. I love finding creative seafood entrees and towers, and if fish tacos are on the menu, I’m almost always going to order them.
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What does your perfect day of dining look like?
Wow, that’s a tough question. Breakfast (I’m more of a brunch gal) would ideally be a delicious iced coffee from Rook (New Orleans style) with chicken and waffles — Cardinal in Asbury Park makes a killer dish.
Lunch would be fish tacos. I don’t have a spot in mind that’s doing them better than another, but I’d love to try as many of them as possible. (If your restaurant has awesome fish tacos, please let me know and I’d love to pay you a visit!)
Dinner would have to be wood-fired pizza, ideally with a side of meatballs and a fantastic salad. Talula's in Asbury Park is amazing. Porta has locations in Asbury Park, Jersey City and Montclair and it’s always consistent. I’m also excited to try Arties in Maplewood and Razza in Jersey City.
Dessert would have to be the mint Oreo ice cream from Denville Dairy in Denville, preferably in a cone with sprinkles.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ food influencer Kacie Duesterdick is Seasthedish on Instagram
