We were lucky to catch up with Tiffany Watts recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tiffany , thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
Growing up, food was always a passion for me—I used to dream about being a Taste Tester when I found out people could actually make a living eating! But my life path took some twists before I could turn that dream into reality. Right out of high school, I became a young mom and had to focus on supporting my daughter, so I worked in jobs I didn’t love during my college years and even afterward to keep up with what life demanded of me. When I was diagnosed with lupus In my early 20s, I had to make some serious lifestyle changes, including switching to a vegan diet to manage my health. Food took on a new meaning then, as I realized it was essential not just for enjoyment but for keeping me healthy and able to raise my daughter.
Now in my 30s, after working hard to get my health and life back on track, I reintroduced meat into my diet. Suddenly, I could experience a whole world of flavors and restaurants that had been off-limits for years! I began creating content around the places I visited, sharing my excitement and newfound freedom in exploring all kinds of food. Eventually, I crossed paths with the food editor of The Pitch at an event. We followed each other on Instagram and a few weeks later, she asked if I’d be interested in trying food and writing about it, and of course, I jumped at the chance! Now, I’m living out my childhood dream as a “taste tester,” and it feels like I’m finally where I’m supposed to be.
Sure, I would’ve loved to be doing this earlier, but I genuinely believe everything unfolds as it should. Those years taught me resilience, shaped my perspective, and gave me a deep appreciation for the power of food in connecting people and nourishing us in every sense. Looking back, starting now feels like perfect timing—I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
By day, I’m an event coordinator for Queer Connect and a food writer for The Pitch magazine, exploring and sharing Kansas City’s vibrant food and drink scene with readers. By night, I’m a passionate content creator with Hooked On KC, where my mission is to guide the hungry, the thirsty, and the adventure-seekers to their next great find! I’m a proud mom, travel enthusiast, and advocate for all things Kansas City, and I pour that love for my city into everything I do.
Through Hooked On KC, I create engaging content that highlights the best local spots—whether it’s a hidden café, a new restaurant, or an exciting event happening around town. My goal is to uncover unique experiences that truly capture Kansas City’s spirit. What sets my work apart is my commitment to authenticity and inclusion, making sure everyone feels they have a place in the local community. I provide recommendations, event coverage, and firsthand experiences to help people connect more deeply with the city.
I’m most proud of the community Hooked On KC has built—a space where people can discover Kansas City’s hidden gems and feel inspired to explore. For anyone new to my work, know that I’m here to make your time in Kansas City as exciting and fulfilling as possible. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, I’m dedicated to helping you find your next favorite spot!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One story that truly illustrates my resilience is the journey I took to establish myself as a content creator. Starting out, I put so much love, time, energy, and money into creating content, only to realize that, at first, it barely reached anyone. Posts that I thought would connect with my audience received almost no engagement, and it felt like all my hard work was vanishing into thin air.
That experience forced me to confront and accept a few essential truths. First, I had to realize that, in the beginning, that’s just part of the process. Growing an audience requires consistent effort and creativity to slowly build engagement so people start noticing and sharing your work. Second, I learned that you have to approach this as the business it truly is. Just like any other venture, becoming an influencer requires you to invest your time, energy, and resources, knowing that the return on investment will take time to materialize.
Lastly, I realized that staying relevant and interesting meant constantly learning new skills. To keep people engaged, I had to master everything from writing catchy captions to partnering with brands and investing in the right tools, like lighting and audio equipment, to make my content stand out. Embracing these challenges helped me grow and showed me that adaptability and a love for learning are essential parts of this career.
Looking back, I’m proud that I didn’t give up. Every struggle was worth it because I genuinely enjoy what I do. This journey has taught me the resilience it takes to turn a passion into a successful career, and that excitement and commitment to improvement keep me moving forward every day.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Absolutely, my goal is to showcase Kansas City as the incredible destination I know it to be. Though I’ve moved away and returned several times, Kansas City has always been my home, and with each career path I’ve taken—from travel and real estate to my current roles as a food writer and influencer—I’ve been driven by a belief that Kansas City deserves to be recognized for its beauty, culture, and excitement. My mission is to help people see beyond the places they visit most frequently and to discover the hidden gems that make KC unique.
Whether you’re visiting, considering a move, or already living here, there’s so much more to experience beyond the usual stops. Kansas City itself is a gem, full of amazing people, businesses, events, and attractions just waiting to be explored. I want to do my part to elevate KC’s profile and ensure it gets the attention it deserves as a vibrant, welcoming place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Hookedonkc?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=44b1a1a9-698d-4453-8cb5-4af6358163f1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hookedonkc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hookedonkc
Image Credits
Itzel Photo Co. – first photo
Miss-N-Scene Productions – additional photos