She Quit Corporate Finance and Found Her Voice: Spotlighting Chefs, Bars and Destinations with Amber Love Bond

Send us Fan MailA shy compliment at Art Basel turned into a passport to the world. We sit down with Miami native and freelance writer Amber Love Bond to unpack how she left corporate finance and built a career that spotlights chefs, bartenders and destinations through stories with heart. From the early days covering Miami’s cocktail scene to filing features from Hong Kong, New Orleans and the Caribbean, Amber shows how curiosity, consistency and relationships can take you farther than a perfect plan.We dig into the rituals that make bars and restaurants feel alive—glassware choices, ice and the people behind the stick—and why a strong sense of place is the secret ingredient in travel writing. Amber explains how she evaluates hosted trips, the subtle red flags that can surface only after planning starts, and the simple test she uses when her inbox fills with invites. She also shares straight-talk advice for PR pros: personalized pitches win, strong relationships matter and once a freelancer files, publication timing is out of their hands.Trend-watchers will find plenty to savor. We explore why early dinners now top reservation charts, how Gen Z is reshaping drink menus, and the rise of martini flights and “tiny teenies.” Amber makes a case for New Orleans as a must-visit food and cocktail city and relives a Tuscan feast with the world’s most famous butcher that still lingers in memory. Along the way, she offers practical guidance for breaking into food, drink and travel writing without a journalism degree—be kind, answer emails and invest in the relationships that become your career’s backbone.If you love food journalism, cocktail culture or travel stories that feel lived-in and local, this conversation is for you. Connect with Amber on Instagram. Tap play, then follow and subscribe for more media insider interviews—and leave a quick review.