Moved from Los Angeles to Dubai in 2007 with a spouse and two cats to seek adventure and new possibilities. The initial plan was to live abroad for a couple of years and then return. Film industry work in the U.S. proved non-transferable in Dubai due to language and studio-structure differences, prompting a career change and reinvention. A passion for food writing was discovered in 2016, leading to coverage of world-class restaurants and meetings with award-winning chefs. Proximity to Europe, Asia, and Africa via direct flights enabled press trips, global events, and relationships that expanded the career beyond U.S. borders.
Our initial plan was to live abroad for a couple of years, then return, hopefully with a few more dollars in our pockets and additional stamps in our passports. In the US, I worked in the film industry, but my type of work wasn't transferable to Dubai since I didn't speak Arabic. Furthermore, without the studio structure I was used to, I would have to change careers.
For the first time since graduation, I could consider what job I might be proud to do. After some trial and error, I discovered my passion for food writing in 2016. I soon found myself covering world-class dining outlets and meeting award-winning chefs. The pace was exhilarating: instead of waiting years for a seat at the (proverbial) table, I simply pulled up a chair.
Living in Dubai also meant I was closer to the rest of the world, with direct flights (thank you, Emirates) to Europe, Asia, and Africa. This gave me access to press trips and coverage of restaurants that would be a day's flight from the US. I've attended global events and built relationships with senior hoteliers, globally recognized chefs, and group-level founders, something that would likely require far more time and budget if I were still in the US.
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