Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Ritter.
Marisa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I moved to San Diego a little less than 3 years ago. I am from a small town Connecticut and moved here when I was 17. I didn’t have family here or anyone really, I found a roommate on craigslist and I got on a plane. My mom came with me and we pretty much bought everything I needed as soon as we got here. We actually took a taxi to the dealership and I got a car. So, basically I just picked myself up, left my family and my boyfriend in CT and wanted to start this new life with no one to answer to or hold me to my past self. I wanted a clean break from high school because I always felt so much more mature than people my age and moving really gave me inner confidence about how bold and courageous I was. Since moving here, I’ve made so many friends and I have come to realize that my energy tends to attract like-minded people.
Growing up in a small town was great and I didn’t appreciate it until I moved to this giant city. New England is beautiful, especially in the fall… which is when I get the most homesick. Both of my parents played a role in my love for food. My mom is a great cook and refuses to buy anything pre-made so we always had homemade sauce, soups, chicken casserole (which my family now calls ‘heaven’ because my sister was obsessed with it when she was little). My grandmother on my mom’s side is Lebanese so you better believe we have a ton of Mediterranean food at family parties.
My dad, on the other hand, is pretty much the basic dad, he loves beer, bacon, and bbq. And I can thank him for my love of IPAs. I actually got my first job at a smokehouse (Taino Smokehouse) because I loved their food so much. I literally tried a bite of their mac and cheese and there were serious tears – that’s how good it was. I owe a lot of who I am to that job as well. The owner is the nicest guy ever-he always made sure every customer and employee left happy. Most importantly, he was always around to say hey to customers and thank them for coming in. That is one thing I wish I saw more of in the food industry here in San Diego.
Recently, I’ve been trying to find who I am and what genuinely makes me happy. This food Instagram, Spoonful of San Diego is a big part of me. But other than that, I love to workout, I love pit bulls and I just started volunteering at It’s the Pits Rescue here in San Diego. I am very grateful for everything that got me to where I am and I believe giving back is the best way to show appreciation.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I feel bad for saying this but for me, it has been a smooth road. Partially because I have the best mom ever but also I think it felt easy because I don’t look at obstacles as negative things, I believe everything happens for a reason and the Universe has everyone’s best interest at heart. For example, I went home for the summer and when I came back I didn’t have anywhere to live – I ended up working and living with a family friend in LA for 2 weeks and it was amazing. At the time, I was beyond stressed and anxious but I just went with the flow and everything worked out perfectly.
My advice is to do everything with love and trust the process. My advice is a lot easier given than taken but it works. It takes a lot of practice but becoming aware of your thoughts and surroundings will change everything. I try to be as positive as I can and sometimes I fail-but I start over and each time my positive thoughts outweigh the negative ones.
Also, remember to support your friends and those who aren’t your friends!!! Never ever give off negative energy. If somewhere along the road you are presented with someone who copies you or you don’t get recognized even though you’re just as successful as people who are getting recognized… just BE HAPPY FOR THEM. I can’t express that enough. One of my favorite quotes by Cara Alwill Leyba is, “Insecurity competes. Confidence empowers.” If you feel like you have to compete then you may be feeling insecure, which happens to ALL of us. Just understand your feelings and learn how to control them. Lastly, get in touch with your inner self and just make sure you are staying true to who you are and what makes you happy.
Please tell us about Spoonful of San Diego.
I’m just a college student that loves food. I love sharing my experiences with others and connecting with like-minded people. I only started doing this because I wanted to share my food with my friends and family and it just happened that more people started following and I got contacted by a few restaurants to do reviews. I am proud of how my passion for food actually got noticed by companies and blogs like this. What sets me apart from others is that I also work in the food industry as a server/hostess and have worked at a few places around San Diego such as Swamis La Mesa and Stuffed! I know how much work it takes for companies to become successful especially in San Diego. Even the smallest food bloggers may have caused a ripple effect in a restaurants business. I like to be honest in my reviews and include how the service was. I include the servers name if they were kind because servers rarely get enough credit. Understanding how restaurants function help gain a respect for what they’re doing.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
My mom always gave me more than enough room to grow- she supported every single decision I’ve made in regards to my future. She and my dad both got me into every sport and I think that is crucial in everyone’s life. I met all of my best friends through sports and learned hard work, respect and discipline at a young age. My mom’s support was emotional and physical. She helped me move across the country, leased me a car because she wanted to make sure I was always safe and has visited a few times and even came to spend Thanksgiving with me one year. Sometimes, I look back and I don’t know how I actually moved so far but then I think about how SHE did it, I mean I’m her youngest daughter, I was 17 and planned on living with strangers in an unfamiliar area with no one close by. She’s a great mother for not only helping me but truly believing in me enough to do all that. She was my backbone and still is! I owe everything to her and how she raised me and my sister.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 860-878-5910
- Email: spoonful619@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spoonfulofsandiego/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpoonfulofSanDiego/
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