Dee Laffan is a freelance food journalist and editor with over 15 years of experience. Former editor of Food & Wine Ireland, Easy Food Magazine and Yes Chef Magazine, and Publishing Director of fft. (hospitality title).
Dee is also the co-host of Spice Bags Podcast – recently awarded ‘Best Irish Food Podcast’ by the Irish Food Writing Awards 2021 – and she is a regular contributor on Ireland AM. Her passion for Irish food has led her to many roles: a member of Irish Food Writers’ Guild, chair of Slow Food Dublin, co-host of the Taste Theatre at Taste of Dublin, host of BasteCamp stage at The Big Grill Festival, and a judge of Blas na hÉireann (National Irish Food Awards).
Q 1- How does your normal day begin?
I am not a morning person, but, I do like to get up early even though it can be a struggle. I go to a training session in the gym three times a week at 7 am so that’s a reason to get up, the others, I do pilates at home or take the dog for a walk.
Q 2- What are your biggest daily challenges?
As my work is varied as I am freelance, I often have a to-do list with different tasks on different projects and this can lead to me bouncing between them and it’s less productive. Dedicating time each day to specific jobs and blocking it off in my calendar is the only way to work effectively, but it doesn’t always go to plan.
Q3- What do you love most about your job?
I am very privileged and lucky to have been able to create a career around something I am passionate about – food. No matter how busy I am, it never really feels like work as I love doing it. I also love the variety of work, no day is the same.
Q 4- What do you do to relax?
I love to cook. I cook every day. The beauty of working from home– and my desk is in the kitchen for this reason – is if I need to chill I just step away from it and start cooking. I am also a big fan of unwinding in the evenings by either reading a book or binging a TV show.
Q 5-Favourite staycation destination in Ireland and why?
I was sent a card from a friend that I have framed and hanging in my house, it reads “Dingle is my happy place.” It truly is. There are so many reasons why, but the main one is that when I go there it genuinely makes me happier and my Dingle friends always make you feel like family, so it is like a home away from home.
Q 6-Favourite holiday destination worldwide?
Can it be one I haven’t been to yet? My husband is from Brazil and we hope to go there this year and I know I am going to love it.
Q 7-Favourite Business motto?
Always bring a smile to a meeting; it costs nothing and it will pay off. That, and having a healthy handshake – there is nothing worse than a bad handshake.
Q 8. Advice for young business entrepreneurs
Networking within the industry you want to do business in is key. The more people you know the better; a healthy contact list will pay off in the long run. Specify, and become an expert in the industry or field you want to work in.
