We recently connected with Bella Bennett and have shared our conversation below.

Bella, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

In 2020, during a time where the world was muffled by uncertainty, where laughter seemed like a distant memory, I found myself wanting to share joy and hope with the world, rather than fall into sadness. The pandemic had turned vibrant streets into ghost towns, leaving many without a sense of purpose. But, I had a vision—one that began as an ember of inspiration, and grew into a fiery passion.

“In order to embody fire, we must tend to it, touching the embers of our souls.” – Bella Bennett

With my camera set up in the kitchen, I decided to film my first cooking class with my business partner, along with food-related content on social media, paired with music that uplifted and gave hope.

Many people began to see this social media page as an outlet for their own emotions.
People from around the globe joined in on the cooking classes. Each one was longing for a moment of joy, a taste of normalcy.

My business partner and I shared not just ingredients and recipes, but stories, laughter, and an energy that uplifted so many.
We spoke of our childhoods, and of family gatherings filled with the aroma of garlic simmering in olive oil, as we are both part Italian.
As time went on, these cooking classes blossomed into a community for others – I noticed participants typing in the chat – stories of their own kitchens, of meals shared and memories created. People from different countries joined the sessions, connecting with one another virtually. They also exchanged recipes and stories, transforming the digital space into a global kitchen filled with hope. Each week, evert recipe and story added a layer to the community, turning it into a tapestry of experiences and emotions.

Food connects us. No matter where we are, we can gather around a table, even if it’s virtual.

With every class, I felt the weight of the world lift, replaced by a collective resilience. Together, we were not just cooking; we were creating a sanctuary – a place where laughter echoed, even if only through screens.

As the year progressed, I realized that amidst the chaos, my business partner and I had sparked something beautiful. The world was still struggling, but the kitchen had become a beacon of light for so many. With each recipe shared and each story told, the community created found joy in connection, reminding one another that hope could still flourish, one meal at a time.

Bella, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Bella Bennett is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in the culinary and entertainment industries. Over the past decade, she has made significant contributions to renowned Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco, such as Quince and Lazy Bear, where she played a pivotal role in elevating their status. Bella’s expertise extends beyond restaurant management to include sourcing pristine ingredients, forging relationships with local farmers, and foraging for unique edible ingredients along the coast.
In 2016, Bella recognized the potential in her business partner, Joe Sasto, and successfully propelled his career into the spotlight through television appearances on Food Network and Bravo’s Top Chef. As a creative director and managing partner to Chef Joe Sasto, Bella excels in creating digital art by filming the creation of food and pairing it with music, which she shares on social media. Her strategic use of social media has been instrumental in growing their online presence, with Sasto’s Instagram following soaring from 1,500 to over 415,000 followers today.
Bella’s innovative spirit led to the creation of “Lucatelli,” an original pasta shape featured in the Disney Pixar movie “Luca.” During the pandemic in 2020, she pivoted their business model to offer live online cooking classes, fostering a vibrant online community and bringing joy to many.
Bella also contributed significantly to writing Joe Sasto’s cookbook “Breaking the Rules”, crafting the title, chapter names, and numerous recipe ideas. Currently, she is working on launching a puffed pasta chip, Tantos, as a consumer-packaged snack food with her business partners. Born in NYC, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and Newport, Rhode Island, Bella Bennett was immersed in a world of music and art from an early age. She was influenced by her father, LeRoy Bennett, a leading creative director, lighting and production designer for top-tier music artists. Her early exposure to the creative arts and her experiences with music artists shaped her passion for creating memorable experiences for others.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to share my soul with the world. Through every creation, you connect with others on a deep, emotional level, sparking conversations and evoking feelings that transcend words.
Each piece becomes a bridge, allowing you to inspire others, ignite their imaginations, their souls, and perhaps even encourage them to explore their own creativity. This exchange of ideas and emotions fosters a sense of community, reminding us all of our shared humanity and the power of art to uplift and transform lives.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Around a decade ago, I found myself scrolling through social media, feeling overwhelmed by the constant barrage of trends and curated images. I saw the lack of connection between social media and the food world, as I was currently working in two and three-Michelin starred restaurants at the time.
In 2018, I left the restaurant industry to pursue my own businesses alongside my business partner, a chef, whose talent I saw when we met in 2015.

As social media grew, I saw that everyone seemed to be chasing the latest viral dance or hashtag, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something essential was missing. I knew I wanted to connect with people, but I didn’t want to lose myself or my business partner’s identity in the process. So, I decided to forge my own path – one grounded in authenticity.

The Turning Point

One evening, after a long day of filming, I posted a video that showed the art of making pasta, paired with beautiful music. It was a reflection of what I was feeling at the time – slow, relaxed, yet engaged the audience with the music I paired with it.
It was me speaking from the heart, through my art. To my surprise, the response was overwhelming. People resonated with the authenticity, the emotions and feelings the video evoked within them.. It was a lightbulb moment: authenticity was my strength.

Embracing Vulnerability

With newfound clarity, I committed to sharing more of these food-centric videos paired with music; what I was feeling at the time, in that specific moment; my soul spoke. The inspirational captions and knowledgable captions were ones that the audience truly connected with, There were posts about passions, failures, and the messy, beautiful journey of life. I learned to embrace vulnerability, understanding that it created deeper connections. The audience began to grow, not because my business partner and I were following trends, but because of the energy of the moment.

Creating Community

I started engaging with followers more actively, asking them about their experiences and sharing their stories. My business partner and I hosted live Q&As, inviting them to ask anything. These sessions fostered a sense of community; people felt heard and valued, while also connecting through food. I realized that when I shared my authentic self, and when my business partner shared their authentic self, others felt safe to do the same.

Crafting My Own Trends

As the audience grew, I began to notice something magical happening. Rather than merely consuming content, we started creating our own trends. Unique stories, raw emotions, and genuine creativity. This wasn’t about perfection; it was about celebrating individuality, energy, and soul.

Staying True to Myself

As the platform expanded, the temptation to conform to popular trends sometimes crept in. I received suggestions to jump on bandwagons or create flashy content to attract more followers. But I remembered my mission: to inspire authenticity. I turned down the noise and stayed true to my voice. The audience appreciated that I was consistent in my message, and this built trust. We celebrated with the audience. sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of life, reminding them that success wasn’t just about numbers; it was about the connections we forged along the way.

The Impact

Looking back, I’m grateful for the journey; all of it. The audience is not just a collection of numbers; they’re a community. Together, we’ve created a space where authenticity reigns, where it’s okay to be imperfect, and where trends are born from genuine experiences.

In a world that often prioritizes perfection, I learned that being yourself is the most powerful trend of all. Authenticity and your deep soul is contagious. When you embrace it, you not only attract others, but inspire them to be their true selves as well. And that’s the best kind of audience to build.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anabellabennett.com
• Instagram: @bellasbennett @eattantos @chef.joe.sasto

Image Credits

Headshot : Garrett Sweet