It’s hard to believe that as just a sophomore, Skidmore?s own Marcella Jewell has done so much. You’ve probably seen her around campus, and if you haven’t, you will! While juggling multiple clubs and interests, this campus celebrity has also managed to create a popular (and highly appetizing) food blog called This SkidKid Grills, which explains how to use the DHall DIY Grill to its fullest potential, as well as some full-kitchen recipes. We were lucky enough to get to know Marcella and the brilliance behind her success.
Her Campus: In addition to your blog, what else are you involved in on campus?
Marcella Jewell: I have a vast amount of interests ranging all across the arts and athletics so I’m constantly joining clubs and taking on projects to satisfy whatever I’m craving. I took part in an Isadora Duncan Dance workshop earlier this semester and am now playing flute in the Skidmore Concert Band. In addition to extracurriculars, I’m very engaged in my government major right now. I’m involved in a president campaign simulation, which is running over the course of the semester. And of course, I’m always cooking, eating, and exploring new restaurants!
HC: Your blog, This Skid Kid Grills, has gotten a lot of attention since you started it, even catching the eye of The Saratogian! How did your idea start?
MJ: I see nutrition, food, and healthy living as an art. I’m drawn towards academics that require critical and logical thinking, such as political science and computer science. I crave, however, an outlet in which I can express my creativity. I did gymnastics and ran throughout grade school and high school, therefore, food fueled me. When I came to Skidmore, I immediately missed the luxury of cooking and having the ability to work intimately with the food I put into my body. Cooking was always, and still is, a very meaningful experience to me. I began making omelets, gourmet banana pancakes, and quesadillas on the grill to infuse my own style into my meals.
HC: Have you always been blog savvy?
MJ: Someone actually recommend that I start a pictorial food blog, and within a week, This Skid Kid Grills was born. Over time, the blog evolved and I kept blogging into the summer. I blogged about Middle Eastern cuisine, food I ate in Honduras, and my family’s sacred oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe. I also use Photoshop to overlay graphics and effects on my photos to make not only the blog, but also the pictures interactive. I think this really differentiates my blog from other food blogs.
HC: You also worked for The Saratogian. Tell us about that experience.
MJ: The Saratogian picked up on my blog and asked me to be a community media lab blogger last semester. Now that the public has access to it, I’ve steered my blog toward a more health conscious root. I spent my summer in Saratoga Springs interning at the Saratogian as a reporter and was immersed into this vivacious entertainment culture, food being the most memorable facet. I like to communicate to my readers through my photos rather than with my words. I believe colors, shapes, images, and textures resonate more with people. My pictures are the super stars of my blog; I just supplement them with some wit.
HC: You said that you’re a Government major and Computer Science minor. Do you intend to use your blogging and/or cooking skills in your professional future?
MJ: Cooking has always been a creative outlet for me and will heavily influence my life in the future. I have many academic aspirations but pursuing a food related career has always been prevalent in the back of my mind. Connecting with people over food is incredibly satisfying and I have high aspirations to live and work harmoniously with peoplewho share this philosophy on food. Of course, I’d love to intern for a high end restaurant like French Laundry or a food magazine such as Bon Appetit, to experience the inside life of the food industry. How could one not be enamored with a life revolving around food?
HC: That’s definitely a good question! You also recently brought YouTube cooking sensation, The Brothers Green, to our very own Skidmore dining hall! How did that come about?
MJ: Yes, I’m so glad you asked about The Brothers Green. I couldn’t believe I pulled it off! I had watched a few of their episodes on The Official Hungry channel on YouTube and fell in love with their humor and artfully crafted videos. Once I saw their pizza episode I knew I had to get them up to Skidmore to work their magic on our grill.
HC: And we’re so glad you did! What was the event like?
MJ: The event’s purpose was essentially an educational one. I wanted to bring up young professional chefs to show Skidmore students how to use readily available ingredients in our dining hall to make their own meals on the grill. They made an avocado soy stir-fry with spaghetti noodles, Siracha chick pea hummus with pita chips, and my favorite, which was a curried chicken dish with yogurt dill sauce. They taught students which spices work well with which meats, vegetables, etc. Over all, it was a tremendous success and Skidmore was very lucky to have this fun, cooking show right in our dining hall.
HC: Wow, that must have been quite the learning experience for you too.
MJ: The process of organizing the event was extremely educational for myself. I learned the importance of thorough communication and making sure I talk to the right people at the right time. If I were to get involved with the food industry, it would be managing food events and making sure everything runs smoothly so people can simply enjoy what they came for: the food!
If you haven’t already, check out Marcella’s blog, because, come on, don’t we all wish we were better cooks? And keep an eye on this campus celebrity; we can tell she has a lot more to accomplish!