Friends of Tabletop: Meet Maddie from Raleigh Revealed!
Friends of Tabletop is a place where we share who we love working with. This can range from a client, influencer/blogger, or special someone who simply means a lot to the Tabletop Team. Colleagues and friends who we’ve met throughout our journey with Tabletop Media Group make us apart of who we are.
This month, we’re featuring Maddie Baldassari, of Raleigh Revealed! Check out our fun Q&A with her!
Photo credit: Maddie / Raleigh Revealed
Tell us about Raleigh Revealed.
Hi everyone! I am Maddie and live with my husband, Tony, in Durham. (Gasp, RR doesn't live in Raleigh anymore. Haha) I am originally from a very small town in Virginia and have lived here for the last 18 years. Raleigh Revealed is a space for me to share local businesses with people who live in the area and for people who are visiting and looking for places to eat, stay, and entertain themselves while in the Oak City.
Why do you write about food + Triangle area happenings?
RR was born out of a passion I have for the city. When I started RR there was no such thing as being an "influencer" I genuinely love trying new restaurants, walking our greenways, immersing myself in the arts and museums. Raleigh has grown exponentially and the small businesses that make it thrive are my reasoning. For me, food isn't just about sustenance, it's about the people who create it and the memories I have with the people I shared the meal with.
What are you currently reading?
Well, this is hard to answer because if I start a book, I don't sleep til it's finished I read the 4th book in The Gray Man series on a few days ago and I will start the 5th one tomorrow.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
No question...pistachio!
Photo credit: Maddie / Raleigh Revealed
What is your least favorite food?
Anything with avocado. Not a popular answer for a food blogger. Ha. My least favorite cocktail flavor is anything smokey. Just no.
What about favorite food?
This is cruel to ask me to pick a favorite I love Italian food and my go to dish lately is Amatriciana but I also love, (all the heart eye emojis) Korean Fried Chicken. I also could eat Indian food on the daily. I would eat a donut before a cupcake every time.. however, my favorite dish of all time is my grandma's fried pork chops, baked macaroni & biscuits
Photo credit: Maddie / Raleigh Revealed
Bar order? If you don't drink, what's your coffee order?
Bourbon, neat. If I want cocktail...spicy margarita or an Old Fashioned.
Photo credit: Maddie / Raleigh Revealed
What's your most unpopular opinion about food?
Other than the avocado? Ha. Chic Fil A waffle fries are not good. Why are they never crispy?! And why do I get so many mushy end pieces I now only order their macaroni as a side. Which is legit.
If you could redo one thing in regards to your blogging / social influencer career what would it be?
I would've learned about monetizing my blog much earlier. RR isn't where I make money but my blog The Whimsy One I do. Phew. I had a crock pot cream corn recipe go "viral" on Pinterest about ten years ago and I missed out on thousands of dollars bc I had no idea you could make money. Cries to self.
What's the most useful lesson you've learned from being a food blogger?
How much truly does go into the process and being vulnerable and real is the key to success (in my opinion) People can see through it if you aren't authentic. Also, numbers only mean so much. Legitimate engagement is far more valuable to a company than false likes or comments.