Meet Tessa Lopker | Cookbook Club Enthusiast and Food Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tessa Lopker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tessa, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind the success of Foodisthemuse Cookbook Club in Phoenix, Arizona, has been our commitment to creating a welcoming community centered around a shared love for food and cooking. After college, I realized how challenging it can be to make new friends, whether you’re new to the area or a lifelong Phoenix resident. I firmly believe that food provides a unique foundation for fostering friendships and building community bonds. By bringing people together over delicious recipes and culinary adventures, we’ve been able to create a space where individuals can connect, share experiences, and form meaningful relationships. This emphasis on community and the universal joy of good food has truly been the cornerstone of our club’s success. It is also so fun to continue to grow your collection of cookbooks, I know I get so excited when my family gives me cookbooks that have been in the family for generations!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career path has been deeply influenced by my family’s longstanding involvement in the food and beverage industry. From a young age, I immersed myself in this world, starting with my first job at a restaurant at 16. It was there that I discovered my love for serving others and creating memorable dining experiences that bring joy to people’s lives. This passion for hospitality and the transformative power of food has guided me throughout my career. Today, I channel this enthusiasm into food content creation, designing dinner party tablescapes, and organizing events that celebrate the communal spirit of sharing a good meal. It allows me to bring out my creative side. These endeavors allow me to combine my lifelong passion for cooking with my desire to connect people through food, fostering a sense of community and belonging that I cherish deeply. Which is how I came up with my name, Foodisthemuse, food is my muse and I want it to be your muse too.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, if a friend came to visit Phoenix, they would be in luck since I am born and raised here, so I could be the best tour guide there is.

I’d start our day with a jumpstart at Lola Coffee for some amazing espresso and cool vibes. A good friend from high school showed me this spot back in the day and it’s been a number one on my list for a while now. Then, we’d hit up the Uptown Farmers Market to browse local produce and bakeries, hopefully it’s not 100° and the sun anctually feels good! For a chill afternoon, Buck and Rider is our spot for happy hour—think fresh seafood and tasty drinks galore. And if you know me, you know that I dream about their ceviche and oysters! Luckily, AJ’s Fine Foods is across the street from Buck & Rider and if you are local you know about their legendary iced tea and sinful desserts.

When it’s dinner time, the choices are endless! One of my favorite spots is the cozy French gem, Sottise, or we would dive into authentic Thai flavors at Glai Baan. When we are waiting for our table, we can go to the bar next door where they have games to play and they will call the bar to tell us our table is ready! If we plan ahead, snagging a table at Bacanora promises a night to remember.

And for some adventure, we could go to Sedona for a scenic hike or a breezy trip up to Pine to wander through lavender fields.

Phoenix is our playground with its central location, so there is so much to explore here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this to my sisters, Lanie and Jillian along with my aunts, Tia Gia and Coleman. I wouldn’t be the person standing here today being able to achieve my dreams without all of you. To my friends I have met a long the way and the ones I met through this club, thank you for making me believe in good friendships again.

Website: https://Foodisthemuse.com

Instagram: @foodisthemuse

Other: TikTok: @foodisthemuse