“I wish we had affordable rentable kitchen space. I often work from home on recipe development or cookbook shoots and need access for more space, storage, and equipment from time to time.”
Name: Marian Cooper Cairns
Occupation: Food Stylist/Photographer
Creative Industry: Culinary/Visual Arts
1. What would you like to see happen in Birmingham in the next 5 years?
I would be thrilled if the Good School Food program at Jones Valley Teaching Farm is in every school in Birmingham and the metro area. It is hugely important for the future well being of our community. The program works closely with students on the importance of choosing wholesome food for a lifetime, and increases their access to healthy food.
So many casual fun restaurants have opened in the last couple years, I hope that this trend continues and the quality only increases. And very very selfishly, I hope we finally start seeing better delivery options.
2. How did you become a food stylist?
I combined my background in art & photography with a culinary arts degree from Le Cordon Bleu to legitimately get to play with my food. I feel so lucky to have my profession.
3. Looking at your website made me so hungry! Do you ever get to sample the food you style?
Hello!?!!? All the time, silly. I do have to hit the gym 5 times a week 😉
4. What kind of support system could help benefit your work?
I wish we had affordable rentable kitchen space. I often work from home on recipe development or cookbook shoots and need access for more space, storage, and equipment from time to time.
5. When you are at a restaurant do you ever nitpick over presentation?
Yes and no, I tend to get picker about the quality of the plates, linens, glasses, decorating vibe and bathrooms. I take those components as seriously as the quality of the ingredients and presentation. ?
6. What are some of your favorite local eateries?
Literally anything from Ollie Irene or Trattoria Centrale, both are always dynamite. On the flip side, a good ole egg and bacon sandwich from Green Acres is hard to beat too.
http://www.jonesvalleyteachingfarm.org/our-work/good-farm-school
