Today we’d like to introduce you to Varissa Brum.
Varissa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. New Mexico is known for its vast desert skies, colorful sunsets, and, most importantly, their green and red chile. My parents were transplants to the area in the 80s, my mother being from Thailand and father from Ohio. The result was that I grew up exposed to a mix of culinary cultures: New Mexican cuisine, traditional Thai dishes, and American food.
A typical weekend of meals for me would consist of Carne Adovada Stuffed Sopapillas (Red Chile Braised Pork stuffed in Puffed Fried Dough) with Green Chile Enchiladas, Pad See Ew, Papaya Salad with Sticky Rice, and Steak and Potatoes Au Gratin. Meals like this were the foundation that sparked my interest and passion for exploring different cuisines.
After graduate school, I moved to Los Angeles on a whim after watching Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, where he explores the gems of Los Angeles’ Koreatown. Anthony Bourdain inspired me to immerse myself in Los Angeles’ rich and diverse food culture. Additionally, I felt that because Los Angeles has a vibrant food scene, it would be the best city to dive into the marketing aspect of the food industry.
Being alone in a city that was entirely new for me, I decided to start my Instagram, @misohungrry, to document my adventures and connect with other like-minded foodies in the Los Angeles area. Building out my Instagram led me to form incredible connections and friendships within the food space in Los Angeles and beyond. Eventually, I became Director of Marketing at a fantastic boutique marketing firm where I spearheaded creative marketing projects in the social media and influencer marketing space for international corporations and small mom and pop concepts.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many things, it’s always easier said than done. I moved to Los Angeles from Albuquerque to get a fresh start and pursue my passion in the food space. A fresh start comes with many hurdles. It takes time to set your foundation and feel grounded, especially in a new city. When I found myself doubting my ability to create engaging content or in a rut at work, I’d remind myself that Los Angeles is a land of opportunities that are just waiting to be discovered. The food scene in this city allows me to find a safe space to pause and gather my thoughts while at the same time, inspire me and keep myself pushing me forward towards my creative and career goals.
Please tell us about Miso Hungry.
For work, I specialize in social media marketing strategy and the development of creative content. I have worked with various food and beverage concepts to create fun and engaging social media strategies, food festivals, tasting dinners, brand activations, and more. I apply my knowledge from running my @misohungrry Instagram account and @misohungry TikTok account to develop on-trend, engaging marketing strategies and content for my clients. I am thankful for the network of influencers, chefs, food writers, and restaurateurs that I have connected with over the years, allowing me to create fun collaborations and events for the food community.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
So many of my best memories from childhood are associated with family meals, whether it was a picnic on my grandparent’s farm in Ohio or eating street food in Thailand with my mother.
One of my fondest childhood memory is traveling to Thailand with my family during the summers. In the mornings, my family and I would take the moped and head to the market and early morning noodle shops set up in the front of houses. At night, I would wander around the night markets, eating street food from vendor stalls like skewers, curries, stir-fries, and more. I felt that the options were limitless and I wanted to try everything!
Contact Info:
- Email: misoohungry@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/misohungrry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misoohungry
- Other: https://tiktok.com/misohungry
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
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