Meet Our Guest 'Grammer of the Week: @Rcorrera
Each week we’re teaming up with a popular food-stagrammer who will take over ourI Instagram feed and fill it with their own delicious pics. This weekend on #TastyTakeovers, Rachel Correra behind The Sprinkle Project is our guest. Learn her secret for taking delicious photos in the Q&A below and head over to @YahooFood on Instagram to watch her foodie adventures unfold all weekend long.
Rachel Correra of The Sprinkle Project. (Photo: Rachel Correra)
Name/Instagram Handle: Rachel Correra/@rcorrera
Yahoo Food: Tell us a bit about yourself!
Rachel Correra: I grew up in the suburbs north of Boston (no I don’t pahk my cah). I had dreams of moving to New York after college but graduation rolled around and guess who hadn’t found a job yet (or had even started looking — if we’re being honest). So I moved back home while continuing (starting) my job search in NY. After 8 unsuccessful months looking for a job from three states away, I decided to take a leap of faith and rented a room in Manhattan I found on Craigslist. Luckily, I got a job at a marketing agency two days after moving here. I’ve been living — and eating — my way through New York since March and loving every second of it. As for fun facts — I’ve been to six Avril Lavigne concerts. Six. Also, I can lick my elbow. Don’t think that’s impressive? Go ahead, try it.
(Photo: Instagram/@rcorrera)
What first got you interested in food and photography? Where do you draw inspiration from?
I don’t think I can pin point exactly when I became interested in food — probably pretty soon after birth. Kidding. Sort of. My mom is Jewish and my dad’s Italian, so food, and sharing and connecting through food has always been a big part of my life. I love connecting with people through food, and photography has allowed me to do that on a bigger scale. I draw a lot of inspiration for the food I make from things that were apart of my life growing up. I love adding a fun twist to something classic and bringing it to a new level — like “this grilled cheese sandwich is great but what if I stuffed it with Spaghetti-Os and Meatballs.”
A meatball and Spaghetti-O grilled cheese. (Photo: Rachel Correra)
How do you take your photos (with a camera or phone)? What are your favorite photo editing tools and/or tips for taking exceptional food photos? Give us the scoop!
For the most part, I use my Nikon D5200 to take photos. I love it and pretty much don’t go anywhere without it. And I got this awesome little Wifi adapter so I can upload pictures directly from my camera to my phone. I don’t usually add any filters to my photos but I do like to adjust the brightness, contrast, sharpness etc… and I swear by Afterlight, which really does the trick. To take great food photos (or any great photo in general) lighting is key. Also, finding an interesting angle to shoot the food from is what I think makes the difference between a cool picture and a generic photo you’d see on a restaurant menu.
S’mores brought to the next, next, level. (Photo: Rachel Correra)
Who are three of your favorite Instagrammers? What do you like about them?
There are so, so many. But if I have to pick three… I love @studiodiy. From giant fairy bread piñatas to Dunkaroo ice cream, they’re account is full of the most fun and unique DIY projects you could ever imagine. I also love their style of photography, which is super bright and colorful while also being minimalistic.
Half of @katie_clova’s photos are of stunning, mouthwatering ombre cakes while the other half are of her daughter who is the happiest/chubbiest/cutest baby you’ve ever seen. Cakes and babies. Do I need to explain further?
Lastly, I’m a huge fan of @bromabakery. I’m a baker myself so I love looking through all the amazing things she makes for inspiration. On top of that, her photos are incredible.
Bacon and eggs. (Photo: Rachel Correra)
When did you first become interested in baking? What’s your favorite thing to bake?
I’ve always loved to bake. When I was younger I was always the kid bringing cupcakes into class for my friends’ birthdays. And while I hope my baking skills have improved since 3rd grade, my love of sprinkles and belief that they should be used as often as possible, remains the same. I jump on any excuse to make a giant funfetti sprinkle cake.
Giant sprinkle rainbow cake. (Photo: Rachel Correra)
What do you enjoy about Instagram compared to other online communities?
I can’t believe the connections I’ve made through Instagram. Since moving to New York, I have met and become friends with so many people with similar interests through it. Like I’ve made actual real-life friends. Through a photo sharing app. That to me is the coolest thing ever.
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten recently?
Unfortunately, the best thing I’ve eaten recently was the “Clobster,” which is a buttery grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with lobster. The unfortunate part is that I had it at a pop-up restaurant in Brooklyn where chef Andrew Gruel, was cooking for a few days, before going back to his restaurant in L.A. So if I ever want to have it again, I’m going to have to book a flight.
The fancy and delicious lobster grilled cheese sandwich at The Clobster. (Photo: Rachel Correra)
If you could throw a dream dinner party for any three people — living or dead — who would they be and what would you cook for them?
This is a tough one. First on the list is Ellen DeGeneres because I really can’t think of a more fun person to hang out with. And I’d also invite Ina Garten. Although, is it rude to invite someone to a dinner party and then ask them bring the dinner? Because I’d much rather have whatever she’s making. Last on my invite list would have to be Beyoncé because I mean, come on, it’s Beyoncé.
What’s the best dish you’ve ever made or the dish that you’re known for?
I don’t know about best but sprinkle cakes are my favorite things to make for sure. Also, I make a mean mac and cheese latke.
And last but not least — what’s your favorite food (if you had to pick one)?
Hamburger. By a mile.
Cheeseburger from Porter House New York. (Photo: Rachel Correra)
For more drool-worthy Insta pics, visit our Instagram board on Pinterest and get to pinning!
Past guests from #TastyTakeovers:
Jackie Gebel behind @noleftovers
Bangkok takeover with Bibi Tanya of @bibiography
