Meet Jenna: Pinch of Yum’s New Office Manager!

5 reasons why today is not a regular post day 👇

1. It’s a HOLIDAY! Prez day FTW.
2. Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. Another holiday.
3. The day before that was Bjork’s 30th birthday. HUGELY HUGE holiday.
4. The day (uh, day as in FIVE DAYS) before that, I got home from vacationing in Scottsdale, AZ with my girlpower squad. I know I know IKNOW. I’m embarrassingly still recovering / unpacking / lacking any and all focus because all I want to do is plan our next trip and continue the 24/7 group texts. It’s totally my friends’ fault for being too fun. In related news, I haven’t cooked, like, anything since returning home. Yesterday was the first time I cooked a legit meal beyond cereal or avocado toast – I made a recipe out of Cooking Light magazine and felt like I should be winning a major lifetime award for it. Sincerely, The Very Worst Food Blogger That You Know.
5. Most importantly, we have some really SUPER exciting news – within the last few weeks, we hired an office manager! And you need to meet her.

Some of you might remember the amazing Abby who was in a position similar to this last year. When Abby took a new photography job at the start of the year, we knew it was time to hire.

Over the five days that the application was open, we had more than 330 applications come in for this job (!!) and I read through each and every one (!!) which was such a loooong process, but actually 95% fun because you all are seriously awesome. And funny. I regularly laughed out loud and gave you virtual hugs and texted Bjork your funny and interesting stories as I learned more about each of you through your written responses on the applications.

Now that Jenna is in this new office manager role, you will probably see her here and there in a few POY online places – email, comments, customer service, and the occasional social media.

Some of the best things about having Jenna in this position are that she a) is local to Minneapolis, b) has design skillzzz, c) has extremely relevant education and work experience, and d) is fun to be around. 🎉

But the most important thing to know about Jenna is that she deserves all credit for us ever accomplishing anything cool in the future of Pinch of Yum. Sure, Bjork and I are the faces of the blog, and we have a lot of the ideas, but Jenna is and will be the much needed behind-the-scenes brain who keeps the whole operation on the ground. Repeat: MUCH NEEDED. Repeat: ON THE GROUND. We probably need at least 10 Jennas around here.

Friends, meet her office manager highness extraordinaire. She emails, she organizes, and she installs ovens in the studio. You will love her.

Hey Jenna! What’s a random fact about you?

I’ve lived on both U.S. coasts! In high school, I lived in San Diego for a year and just recently, I lived in Cape Canaveral, FL for almost two years. Needless to say, the beach is my happy place.

What would be your perfect day?

Breakfast is my favorite meal, so it would start at my favorite little neighborhood cafe with coffee and pancakes. Then I’d spend the afternoon strolling around at one of Minneapolis’ art museums or lakes (summer OR winter!). And of course, end with dinner and dessert downtown and a good Netflix marathon on the couch with my husband.

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Hands down: pasta. Any form and any type. My mom can attest to years of fettuccini alfredo and mac and cheese.

What were you up to before Pinch of Yum?

Before joining the Pinch of Yum team, I worked in various roles in communications – from public relations, to magazine writing and editing, to events and fundraising.

Why did you want to be part of the Pinch of Yum team?

Being part of the Pinch of Yum team really combines my two greatest loves: food and organization. Pinch of Yum is such a fun, creative and smart community of people, and that’s what’s always drawn me to it. I’ve been an avid reader of the blog for 2+ years and getting to now be part of the team that makes it happen is a dream!

What do you like to do in your free time?

In the winter, you can usually find me curled up at home with a good book or making plans with friends and family. In the summer, I’ll be at the cabin whenever possible or biking around the city with my husband!

What’s your favorite Pinch of Yum recipe?

I’m all about sauces, so my favorites are definitely the Magic Green Sauce, Creamy Cauliflower Sauce, and the Kale Pesto.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Minnesota?

The seasons! I love how just as you’re starting to tire of one type of weather, another comes along. And bonus: every season in Minnesota is absolutely beautiful.

What is the most valuable life lesson you’ve ever learned?

As hard as it is to be faced with a challenge, I’ve learned that absolutely nothing great or worth having comes without one.

What’s your spirit animal? 

A dog! I’m friendly, loyal, and always there when someone needs support. And of course, I like treats.

What’s on your bucket list?

Someday, I’d love to take a road trip all the way around Iceland’s Ring Road. I can’t think of anything more incredible than seeing volcanoes, icebergs, waterfalls, and northern lights all in one place.

What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? 

Alligator on a stick. Never again.

In related hiring news, we are also super excited to have Katy (pictured in the middle with the long gorg model status hair) working with us part time as a food photography shoot assistant! She is only working 1-2 days per week and you probably won’t interact with her much on the computery-side of the blog, but now when you see that sweet forearm tattoo showing up in our food photos, you’ll know whose it is. 👍

That’s a wrap, guys!

I’m spending a bunch of time today cooking some good food and getting back to a regular posting schedule, so be prepared. Delicious things ahead!

In the meantime, please make this LIFE CHANGINGLY GOOD tomato soup. It’s what I’m living off of every day right now. YES, with cheese bread, as if you didn’t know.