We were lucky to catch up with Wangare Aldridge recently and have shared our conversation below.

Wangare, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of my most meaningful projects was creating a children’s book called ‘The Foodie Alphabet Book For Awesome Children’, that celebrates the wonderful world of food through the alphabet. This book is a visual feast, filled with vibrant illustrations of various delicious dishes, from edamames to nutmeg to zucchinis, representing each letter of the alphabet.

Through this book, I aimed to introduce young readers to the joys of healthy eating and expand their culinary vocabulary. It was a delightful process of researching and selecting appetizing food items that would both engage children’s curiosity and encourage them to explore different flavors.

Seeing the excitement on children’s faces as they turn each page, discover new ingredients and learn their names, fills my heart with joy. The book has become a tool for fostering their interest in nutritious foods, inspiring them to try new things and develop a positive relationship with what they eat.

This project was a beautiful blend of art, education, and the shared love of food. It reminded me of the profound impact simple visuals and the power of association can have on shaping young minds, while also instilling a lifelong appreciation for the diverse and wonderful world of cuisine.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sure! My name is Wangare, and I wear two hats in my professional and personal life. During the day, I work as a dedicated fraud analyst, tackling complex cases and ensuring the safety of our systems. It’s a challenging role that requires attention to detail and a passion for problem-solving.

But beyond my day job, I am also a passionate food content creator and the proud author of “The Foodie Alphabet Book For Awesome Children.”

Food has always been a source of joy and creativity for me, and I wanted to share that love with others. It’s a labor of love that I cherish, and I dedicate my evenings and weekends to exploring new flavors, experimenting with recipes, and curating content that brings joy and excitement.

So whether I’m unraveling complex fraud cases or crafting mouthwatering content, my passion shines through.

I hope that my dedication and commitment resonate with my audience and they are able to join me on this food-filled adventure, where we can explore the limitless possibilities of culinary delights and ignite our imaginations together.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

As a food content creator with a demanding day job, I had to unlearn the belief that success relied solely on following the algorithm. Initially, I chased trends and conformed to popular formats, but I realized it compromised my authenticity. Juggling my job and creative pursuits, I embraced my unique perspective and trusted my creativity. By prioritizing authenticity over algorithmic strategies, I discovered deeper connections with my audience, both in one-on-one conversations and through my content. Success now manifests in meaningful ways, rooted in genuine connections formed through personal interactions and the satisfaction of staying true to myself and my creative vision, despite the challenges of balancing a demanding job.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society can work towards shifting the cultural perception of creative pursuits as a viable and valuable career path. By recognizing the economic and social contributions of the creative industries, society can encourage individuals to pursue their passions and embrace creativity as a legitimate profession.   

Contact Info:

• Website: https://a.co/d/cDGklKm
• Instagram: @wangarescookhaus @wangarealdridge