Growing up loving foods like mac and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches, local content creator Jenna Rodrigues said it was not until after college that she became a “foodie.” She created an “adventure list” while living in New York, detailing must-do activities and food spots, in hopes of being more intentional about exploring new cuisines and expanding her palette.
Now, as a food and travel influencer, Rodrigues shares travel tips and local recommendations on dining spots in the Orlando area.
“I love just living life to the fullest and exploring as much as possible, so I love that through my social media accounts, I’ve been able to become much more intentional about trying new restaurants and seeking out things to do in Orlando and in other cities when I travel that I might not have otherwise experienced,” Rodrigues said.
She said she has a background in marketing and acting, and saw content creation as a fun way to blend those two skill sets, while allowing her to be creative. She began making videos as she explored the Central Florida area in her spare time, hoping to add to the Orlando food scene conversation.
“My passion for food and travel really is at the heart of all of the content I create. One of my favorite things to do is to go to a city I’ve never been to, wake up and just start wandering around, being spontaneous, and exploring,” Rodrigues said. “I love stumbling on new places that surprise me and exploring different food scenes in different cities.”
The first time she collaborated with a restaurant for content, she said she felt super nervous. Upon arriving at this newly opened ramen restaurant, the staff knew who she was immediately, and they showed her to her reserved table. As the food came out, she said her nerves slipped away, and she fell in love with working with local dining spots.
“Building these relationships and being able to shine a spotlight on so many incredible local businesses has made me feel like a true part of the Orlando community,” Rodrigues said.
As she continues to grow as a content creator, Rodrigues said she would like to post more travel videos highlighting eateries in other cities and create more posts on her favorite dishes across different cuisines.
For those who are considering content creation, Rodrigues reminds people to play and be flexible in finding what works for them. She said she feels local creators are instrumental in bringing all the community has to offer to light.
“Local influencers are crucial to the Central Florida community, as we really help to celebrate and shine a spotlight on all of the incredible eateries, bars, and other activities in the Orlando area. I have been absolutely amazed by the level of cuisine in the area and by all of the local entrepreneurs I’ve met who work so hard every day to bring their visions to life,” Rodrigues said. “When I first moved to Florida, I wasn’t super familiar with the food scene here, and seeing content from other creators really helped me to start building out my Orlando “bucket list” and gave me some great ideas for different places to explore and restaurants/bars to try.”
Instagram: @floridafunadventures
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