Kristen Hess Featured on Women in Power TV | The Artful Gourmet

Reinvention Is Power

Watch Kristen Hess in Women in Power TV series on Inside Success Networks! I’m so happy to share this amazing journey and the show with you all as there are so many other amazing and inspiring women on the show and each story, including my own is heartfelt, and full of lessons for life and business. My episode goes into how I built a life shaped by creativity, resilience, and reinvention.

Growing up in Rochester, New York, I was inspired early by art, ambition, and the electric energy of New York City. Years later, that childhood dream carried me through careers in graphic design, advertising, and ultimately into entrepreneurship as the founder of The Artful Gourmet.

As a food stylist, photographer, writer/recipe developer and creative entrepreneur, I help brands make their food beautiful while sharing mindset lessons with creators and small entrepreneurs through my Artful Gourmet Podcast series. When personal loss and unexpected challenges shake my world, I face a defining choice. Through food styling, photography, cooking, podcasting, video, and storytelling, I began transforming pain into purpose, proving that creativity, determination and resilience can reshape a life – and that your past doesn’t define your future.

Kristen Hess joins the Cast of ‘Women in Power’ on Inside Success Networks

Kristen Hess in Women in Power TV show

Kristen Hess builds a life shaped by creativity, resilience, and reinvention. Growing up in Rochester, New York, she was inspired early by art, ambition, and the electric energy of New York City. Years later, that childhood dream carries her through careers in graphic design, advertising, and ultimately into entrepreneurship as the founder of The Artful Gourmet.

As a food stylist, photographer, and creative entrepreneur, Kristen helps brands make their food beautiful while sharing mindset lessons with creators and small entrepreneurs. When personal loss and unexpected challenges shake her world, she faces a defining choice. Through food styling, photography, and storytelling, Kristen begins transforming pain into purpose, proving that creativity and resilience can reshape a life. Watch this inspiring interview about creativity, reinvention, storytelling, and turning passion into purpose.

📺 Watch the full episode on Inside Success TV:
Women in Power Episode

🌐 Websites:
The Artful Gourmet Blog | Food Styling + Photography Portfolio

🎙 Listen to The Artful Gourmet Podcast on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music & iHeartRadio.

📺 Watch the full episode on The Artful Gourmet YouTube Channel

✨ Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE & SHARE with fellow creatives and entrepreneurs!

Key Takeaways

Building a successful creative brand from scratch
Transitioning from advertising into food media and entrepreneurship
The evolution of The Artful Gourmet brand
Food styling and photography as storytelling tools
Reinvention, resilience, and creative confidence
Expanding into podcasting, TV, and multimedia content creation

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – Intro + Welcome

01:12 – Meet Kristen Hess & The Artful Gourmet

03:40 – From Advertising to Entrepreneurship

07:18 – Discovering Food Styling & Photography

11:05 – Building a Multimedia Brand

15:42 – Podcasting, Storytelling & Creative Content

19:10 – Advice for Creatives & Entrepreneurs

22:30 – Women in Power Closing Thoughts

24:00 – Where to Follow & Watch More

“At the end of the day, if you’re excited about whatever it is you’re selling, people are going to buy from you because they like you and your enthusiasm.”

If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve been diving deeper into storytelling across platforms—and it’s been such an exciting ride.

New episodes are live across all of my podcast series:

#UNFILTERED — real conversations with creators, tastemakers, and innovators

Into Focus — mindset, clarity, and building a creative life with intention

Groovy Eats — where food, music, and nostalgia come together in the most fun, retro-inspired way

Each one is a different lens… but all rooted in the same idea:

living creatively, boldly, and sharing that journey out loud.

✨ “The more I create, the more I realize—this isn’t just content, it’s a conversation.”

Coming Home

And maybe the biggest shift of all…

I’ve finally moved back to New York. I’ve been planning this move for quite a while now, and the process has been a brutal one (getting out of a lease, and moving out of a huge apartment/photo studio that I’ve been in for almost 5 years. (How, just HOW do we accumulate SO MUCH STUFF???)

For now, I’ll be staying in Upstate NY helping out family for a little while in Rochester… then I’ll be moving back to the NYC full swing later in the year and I can’t wait!

It feels like a full-circle moment—returning to my roots, my creative foundation, my people. The city where so much of this journey began.

There’s something about New York that sharpens your edge, expands your vision, and reminds you what you’re capable of.

✨ “Some places don’t just inspire you—they remind you who you are.”

I’m beyond excited to step back into that energy, reconnect with friends and family, and open the door to what’s next.

And speaking of Rochester, I wanted to share a link to my delicious Rochester-Style Famous Chicken French (Francaise) Recipe that landed me on the front page of the NY Times Food Section a few years ago when I was interviewed by Julia Moskin, Staff Food Writer for the story… The recipe and styling suggestions of mine were quite the hit! In fact, it was their #1 most popular recipe for ALL OF 2018. You have to try this, you guys, it’s absolutely amazing. And one of my proudest moments in my culinary career – EVER.

News + Events

Download my free resource guide “The Art of Food Photography”

I’ll be showing you my basic food styling tips and tricks, and an easy natural lighting setup you can do at home with just a few tools and a camera. The demo will be about an hour and a half, with Q+A the last half hour.

Don’t miss it!

New Episode of Groovy Eats coming soon!

Stay tuned for my next episode of Groovy Eats coming soon!

We’re going all the way back to 1978 – for Disco Night with Donna Summer, retro cocktails, a groovy playlist and a few late night bites from a famous Tiki bar, The Islander, on Restaurant Row in LA.

So get ready for lots of sparkle, fun retro eats and drinks, lights, groovy tunes and a #disco party waiting to happen…You guys, it’s going to be SO. MUCH. FUN.

🍽️ Follow Us for More

👉 Read more stories, essays and recipes on Substack

💌 Subscribe to my Kit community page and newsletter for seasonal recipes, creative inspiration, and behind-the-scenes from The Artful Gourmet

👉 Follow The Artful Gourmet blog for more stories + recipes

👉 View our food styling + photography packages – you can now book a photoshoot or food styling session with Kristen online!

Check out our Amazon Store and ShopMy store with our curated favs from fashion, beauty, cooking and baking items, books and cookbooks, photography gear and more. Plus many of the brands I partner with offer special discount codes for 10-45% off their items on my shop! I’ll be posting all the specials and goodies on my Instagram, Facebook and TikTok pages so keep an eye out for these!

That’s all for the news and updates for now, stay tuned for more later this month..and thanks so much for being here! Your readership and support means so much, and keeps me motivated to keep creating fun content for all of you!

If you enjoy what you’re reading and watching, feel free to share this post and our blog with your followers and friends too. Hopefully the show inspired you all to keep believing in yourself, in your dreams and to never, ever give up!

And if you’ve already watched my episode, tell me in the comments below:

What inspired you MOST from this episode of Women in Power with Kristen Hess?

🔘 Building a creative business from scratch
🔘 Food styling + photography insights
🔘 Reinventing your career path
🔘 Personal branding + storytelling
🔘 Expanding into podcasting + media
🔘 The overall entrepreneurial journey

Cheers until next time!

xo Kristen

The Artful Gourmet | Kristen Hess

April 23, 2026April 25, 2026

Going Analogue: Slow Living, Nostalgia & Meaningful Moments

Going Analogue: Why We’re Craving a Slower, More Meaningful Life

There’s a quiet shift happening right now—and it doesn’t feel like a trend as much as a return – the ‘going analogue’ trend.

It’s a part of a growing slow living movement, where people are choosing to unplug from social media and reconnect with real-life experiences through food, music, and meaningful moments.

People are stepping away from the constant scroll, the noise, the pressure to keep up. They’re choosing slower moments. Smaller circles. Real conversations. Tangible things you can hold in your hands.

Scrapbook

Film cameras. Handwritten notes. Scrapbooks. Polaroids. Vinyl records. Cooking meals instead of ordering them. Sitting around a table instead of a screen.

It’s the pull of nostalgia and meaningful moments – IRL again.

And honestly? I get it.

Listen to the latest podcast episode on Spotify

The Rise of Going Analogue

There’s something grounding about slowing down enough to actually feel your life as it’s happening.

Not documenting it for content.

Not optimizing it for engagement.

Just… living it.

Kristen+Friends

The analog revival isn’t about rejecting technology entirely—it’s about reclaiming presence.

It’s choosing:

- depth over speed
- memory over metrics
- connection over consumption

Kristen+Jen+Dad

As Carl Honoré, a leading voice in the slow living movement, has said:

“When you slow down, you get more out of life.”

And that’s exactly what this moment is about.

Why Slow Living Matters Now

If I’m being honest, this is the heart behind Groovy Eats.

It’s not just a retro cooking series.

It’s a time machine.

It’s my way of holding onto the feeling of growing up in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s – when life felt a little slower, a little simpler, and a lot more together.

RV-Camping

Family road trips.

Music playing in the background.

BeefStroganoffInMemoryOfDad

Meals that brought everyone to the table.

Those moments shaped me—and they’re the reason I create what I create today.

1970sChristmasDinner

As Maya Angelou once said:

“People will forget what you said… but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

Groovy Eats is about that feeling.

Food, Music & Memory

There’s a reason a song can take you back instantly.

You hear it—and suddenly you’re somewhere else.

Another time.

Another version of yourself.

That’s not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake.

That’s memory encoded through experience.

Food works the same way.

Moms-Chicken-Soup

A dish isn’t just a recipe—it’s a story.

A place.

A person.

That’s why in Groovy Eats, every episode connects:

- a year
- a song
- a recipe
- a story

Because when you layer those things together,

something powerful happens.

You don’t just watch or listen.

You remember.

The Inspiration Behind Groovy Eats

Across everything I create, this theme shows up again and again:

Every podcast episode, every blog post, every Substack essay, every YouTube video in this series is me chasing that feeling and inviting you to chase it with me. It’s retro recipes made with fresh, elevated ingredients — comfort food that honors the past while feeling relevant right now.

✺ Blog (TheArtfulGourmet.com)

A space where recipes meet storytelling—

BestOfMyLove-Eagles

where dishes aren’t just instructions,

Chicken Parm

but snapshots of time.

Vinyl Record Baby Come Back Player

January 1978 wasn’t flashy or loud — it was warm, comforting, and full of everyday magic. The radio played soft rock on repeat, dinner was often a casserole bubbling in the oven, and family time happened around the table, not a screen.

Chicken Divan

The series is built around a simple but deeply felt premise:

food and music are the original time machines.

Play the right song while you’re making the right dish, and you’re not in your kitchen anymore — you’re somewhere else entirely. You’re nineteen again, or twelve, or thirty-two, in a place and a moment that mattered.

✺ Substack Essays

More personal. More reflective.

TheresNoPlaceLikeHome

This is where I go deeper into the why —

behind the food, the memories, and the moments that shaped me.

✺ Groovy Eats Podcast

Stories you can hear and feel—

layered with music, culture, and
the emotional thread that ties it all together.

✺ YouTube Cooking Series

Where it all comes to life visually—food, music, mood, and storytelling all in one place.

A Return to What Actually Matters

Here’s what I keep coming back to, and what I think the analogue trend is really telling us: social isn’t dying. It’s evolving.

The future isn’t offline or online. It’s both, held together by intention.

FoodWritersRetreat

And the creators and communities that will matter most going forward are the ones who understand that — the ones who bring real texture, real warmth, real humanity to what they share.

The ones who make you feel like a regular somewhere, not just a follower.

Kristen Birthday Party

It’s about choosing:

- to call a friend instead of texting
- to cook instead of scroll
- to sit and listen instead of multitask
- to create memories instead of just capturing them

Girls Night Out in NYC

Writer Susan Sontag once observed:

“To collect photographs is to collect the world.”

But maybe now, we’re craving something deeper than collecting. We want to experience the world again.

Feb 1972 Groovy Eats Valentine's Day Dinner

That’s what Groovy Eats is for me. It’s my version of the scrapbook aesthetic — layered, personal, imperfect in the best way. It’s my vinyl record, my vintage film photo, my phone-free dinner table. It’s the place where food and music and memory get to exist together, without apology, on their own unhurried terms.

Kristen+Mom

Groovy Eats is my way of preserving those moments—and creating new ones.

It’s a reminder that:

- a simple meal can become a memory
- a song can become a time capsule
- a weekend with friends can become a story you carry forever

TheresNoPlaceLikeHome

And maybe, in a world that’s constantly pulling us online…

this is our way back to each other.

If you’ve been feeling the pull toward something slower, something more real, something that actually fills you up instead of just filling your feed — pull up a chair. Put on a good song. Make something beautiful to eat.

That’s the whole vibe. That’s Groovy Eats.

✨ Follow More Nostalgia on Groovy Eats Series

If you’ve been feeling that pull too—to slow down, reconnect, and bring a little more meaning into your everyday life—

I’d love for you to join me:

- Watch the latest Groovy Eats episode →
- Listen to Groovy Eats on The Artful Gourmet podcast →
- Read the full stories on the blog or Substack →

AlGreen

And maybe tonight…

put on a favorite song, cook something simple, and invite someone over.

No phones.

No pressure.

BabyComeBackPlayer

Just good food, good music, and good company.

That’s where the magic lives.

Disco Ball

Stay tuned for Groovy Eats Episode 4 – Coming Soon!

Disco Night | Retro Cocktails & Late Night Bites 💃 🪩 🍹 🍤

Get ready to dance, eat, drink and party like it’s 1978 at the disco in West Hollywood and Studio54. Be prepared to cook, sing, dance , drink and eat some retro late night bites and cocktails from the era, to the music of Donna Summer, Our #1 Disco Queen. Coming Soon.

Explore the Series:

🎙️ Groovy Eats on The Artful Gourmet Podcast
📺 Groovy Eats on YouTube
📝 Groovy Eats on the Blog
💌 Groovy Eats on Substack
📲 Groovy Eats on Social

Kristen Hess, The Artful Gourmet

Kristen Hess is a Food Stylist, Photographer, Writer, and the creator of The Artful Gourmet — a food and lifestyle media brand rooted in fresh comfort food, visual artistry, and the stories we tell around the table. Find her on Substack, The Artful Gourmet Podcast and YouTube Channel and her
food blog at theartfulgourmet.com.

April 5, 2026April 23, 2026

Happy Easter! A Sunny Peach Salad + The Latest News

There’s something about Easter that always feels like a gentle exhale.

A shift.

A soft return to light.

A reminder that something new is always just around the corner.

This year, I found myself leaning into that feeling more than ever—creating a menu that’s bright, fresh, and full of life… while quietly stepping into a brand new chapter of my own.

At the heart of this Easter table is a Grilled Peach and Avocado Salad that feels almost too pretty to eat—almost. Juicy, ripe peaches layered with crisp greens, a kiss of citrus, and just enough richness to balance it all out. It’s simple, but elevated. Effortless, but intentional.

The kind of dish that doesn’t try too hard… and still steals the show.

✨ “This is the kind of recipe that feels like golden hour on a plate—fresh, glowing, and just a little bit magical.”

It’s everything I love about spring cooking: seasonal ingredients, vibrant color, and letting the natural beauty of food do the talking.

It’s made with juicy grilled peaches, avocado, arugula, baby kale and spinach mix, red onions and topped with a lovely Shallot Vinaigrette and crumbled feta and honey toasted pecans.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some Summer sunshine in my life!

Enjoy ☀️

theartfulgourmet

Grilled Peach + Avocado Salad

A beautiful sunny Spring salad made with juicy grilled peaches, avocado, arugula, baby kale and spinach mix, red onions and tossed with a lovely Shallot Vinaigrette and garnished with crumbled feta and honey toasted pecans.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Total Time 45

Servings: 2 people

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Southern

Calories: 870

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

2 large peaches, thoroughly washed
1 tbsp shallots, finely minced
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp whole grain mustard
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste
5 oz arugula, baby spinach and kale mixed greens
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese optional
1/3 cup honey toasted pecans, crushed
1/3 cup red onions, sliced thin or shaved
1 large Hass avocado, diced

Method

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Cut peaches into wedges while grill is preheating.
Spray hot grill liberally with non-stick spray. Grill peaches for 4 to 6 minutes or until peaches are nicely marked on all cut sides. You can also grill the peaches in a grill pan for the same effect.
Make vinaigrette by combining shallots, lemon juice, mustard and olive oil, salt and pepper to taste - whisk until just combined.
Assemble salad, in a large bowl. Add mixed greens, peaches, avocado slices and red onions.
Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to combine.
Top with crumbled feta (if using) and toasted pecans for garnish on top of the salad. Add more avocado slices on top if desired.

Notes

If you are vegan and want to make this recipe dairy-free, simply remove the feta cheese crumbles and substitute with a soy-based vegan cheese or more nuts, fruit, or veggies.

Nutrition
870 cal | 45g carbs | 73g fat | 15g protein

Recipe adapted from H-E-B

📸 SOME NEW NEWS

I’ve recently opened a new ShopMy online shop where I’m curating some of my favorite things – food, wine, books, cookbooks, cooking and baking supplies, clothes, shoes, cosmetics and homegoods and so much more.

One of my ShopMy Partner merchants, @campsnapcamera, just gave me a NEW custom discount code for my followers – and it gives you 7% off all Camp Snap cameras!

Code: KRISTEN-HESS7
Discount: 7% off

Check out this camera below 👉🏻 https://shopmy.us/shop/product/207870

Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera

No Screen
Point and Shoot
Light & portable
500 Shots on One Charge
Reusable & Rechargeable
The photos have a cool vintage look
It comes in 12 fun colors 🎨

Claim 7% Discount

More info on the camera: https://www.campsnapphoto.com/products/screen-free-digital-camera-v103

New Linktree page & Online Shop

I created a new Linktree page which has literally every single link to get in touch and follow me on social, web, etc.

Curated online shopping pages featuring my favorite kitchen, styling, and entertaining finds. I have new shops with curated finds on my Linktree shop and my Amazon shop as well.

Check out my other cool curated products on my new ShopMy store

Check in often as I’ll be partnering with more cool brands to offer special discounts to my followers!

And if you’re not in the mood for shopping but are liking my content, you can support me with any amount donation at Buy Me A Coffee

New Community Pages + Upcoming Online Courses

I also have a new Artful Gourmet Community Page where I’ll soon be offering online Food Styling & Photography Courses, free downloadable PDF resources, cookbooks, e-books, 1:1 coaching sessions, and live demos and teaching sessions (also starting these soon on my Substack!) so stay tuned for more so you can sign up for these.

📸 Work With Me – Online Booking Site

Behind the scenes, there’s been just as much blooming happening as there is on the plate.

This season marks a new evolution of The Artful Gourmet—one that feels more expansive, more connected, and more aligned than ever.

I’ve been building out new ways to experience the brand, including:

Curated online shopping pages featuring my favorite kitchen, styling, and entertaining finds
A new Kit Community space to connect, collaborate, and share resources
Updated photoshoot packages for brands and restaurants
Streamlined online booking to make working together easier than ever

I do custom estimates for larger shoots including food styling, photography, food and branded videos, social media content creation, and multi-platform brand collaborations and sponsored campaigns.

Reach out and send me a message on the contact form on my portfolio site or send an email to studioinfo (at) theartfulgourmet.com with your project details and contact info and I’ll be in touch to discuss and provide a quote.

If you’re interested in my preset food photography packages – you can book me online here.

The Artful Gourmet Podcast + YouTube

If you haven’t tuned into The Artful Gourmet Podcast yet we have three podcast mini-series you can check out – each with a different theme but all related to food, creativity, mindset and living an Artful Life.

INTO FOCUS Series

A series on mindset, resilience, and the business side of being a creative entrepreneur. In these inspiring motivational episodes, I delve into the stories and insights that will shape the series, offering a sneak peek into the compelling narratives and thought-provoking discussions of what it takes to become a successful creative business owner, photographer and creator.

Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to The Artful Gourmet community, this series promises to captivate and inspire. Stay tuned to discover what lies ahead in “Into Focus.”

Listen to the latest episode

#UNFILTERED Series

A new interview series where I sit down with creators, tastemakers, movers and shakers to talk about the journeys behind the work. The inspiration. The challenges. And the lessons learned along the way.

So pull up a chair…pour a glass of wine or grab a coffee…

And join the conversation.

Listen to episode 1 on Spotify

GROOVY EATS Series

Groovy Eats is pure nostalgia! This is the place where we highlight and bring back to life all of our favorite retro music, recipes, history and “vibe” of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. You’ll find heartfelt storytelling with personal memories, great food, and a lot of groove.

Season 1: The 1970s is live!

The show is available on The Artful Gourmet Podcast and you can find all of the Season 1 episodes also on my YouTube channel .

Kristen Hess, Host of Groovy Eats YouTube cooking show series

I also produce companion essays, stories, playlists, videos, photos from every Groovy Eats episode on the blog and Substack to give you a full picture of that time and place with multimedia storytelling.

Stay tuned for episode 4 launching in April. We’ve got disco, 70s cocktails, late night party bites and plenty of sequins and disco lights to bring the house down.

Don’t miss this one!

Season 2: The 1980’s and Season 3: The 1990’s will be coming out later this year and next year, so stay tuned for more retro food, music and fun 🤩 ☮️ 💃

Listen to the latest episode

Watch the latest episode

And you can also tune into all of the Groovy Eats companion podcasts on YouTube and Substack, or wherever you get your podcasts.

MORE NEW NEWS!

🎥 Women In Power TV Episode

My TV documentary episode on Women In Power is airing in mid-2026 on Inside Success Networks on major streaming platforms!

The new show highlights women entrepreneurs and small business owners and leaders in their industries and each episode tells a story of the women’s experience starting their business, their biggest achievements and how they found success- even in the midst of obstacles and struggles by simply believing in themselves and working hard to follow their dreams.

My episode was shot in South Beach last November and the whole experience was so. much. FUN!

I had a blast meeting Rudy Mawer, Producer and Owner of Inside Success TV and we had a great conference and parties, meetups etc. where I got to hang out with all of the cast and crew from the show.

I’m so excited for the episode to air soon!

Read more about my episode

Read the full press release

Final Thoughts

Well that was a lot of news yes?

And maybe the biggest shift of all…

I’m getting ready to move back to New York.

It feels like a full-circle moment—returning to my roots, my creative foundation, my people. The city where so much of this journey began.

There’s something about New York that sharpens your edge, expands your vision, and reminds you what you’re capable of.

✨ “Some places don’t just inspire you—they remind you who you are.”

I’m beyond excited to step back into that energy, reconnect with friends and family, and open the door to what’s next.

As always, wishing you all a fabulous Easter, and week ahead – remember to stay inspired, stay happy and stay hungry.

Kristen 😃

Kristen Hess | The Artful Gourmet

Food. Style. Travel. Creative Living.

Hi, I’m Kristen—food stylist, photographer, and creator behind The Artful Gourmet. This is where I share a curated mix of elevated recipes, food styling and photography tips, travel-inspired dishes, and creative lifestyle inspiration designed to make everyday moments feel a little more artful.

From behind-the-scenes looks at my shoots to seasonal cooking ideas, mindset insights, and the tools I actually use in my work, you’ll find a blend of beauty, flavor, and storytelling woven into everything I create. If you love thoughtfully styled food, fresh ingredients, and living well with intention, you’re in the right place—pull up a chair and stay awhile. 🍷✨