Public relations and marketing firms, small and start-up companies often look to freelancers as a last resort, a way to handle an overflow situation. But Culinary Communications & Consulting brings more to your table (or glass) than just an extra pair of hands. We are specialists in commercial food and wine writing, and offer a unique combination of skills to clients in the culinary world:

• An unusual depth and breadth of experience gained from years of writing, researching and tasting in the fields of food, wine and spirits.

• Proven journalistic skills honed over years of editorial writing—not only the ability to write well, but a sharp sense of what gives a press release a hook, what makes a bio come alive, and what gets a newsletter read.

• Extensive contacts in the world of food and wine—chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, growers, artisanal producers, farmers, authors, importers, retail and wholesale merchants—that can be drawn on for background, context, referrals and quotes.

• Experience writing in many voices—every company, every agency has its unique personality and mode of expression. Our credits include copy that is bouncy, sensual, newsy, personal, edgy and much, much more. We tailor our efforts to your voice, and can help you develop it further.

• The ability to turn projects around on time: we make our living by meeting deadlines, both our own and yours.

WHO WE ARE

      Nancy Freeman and Tim Patterson are both writers and editors with more than fifty years of experience between them. They have written on subjects as diverse as music, television, contemporary politics, foreign affairs and the fine arts. Both hold certificates in copy editing from UC Berkeley Extension. Eight years ago, they turned to writing about their true loves, food and wine. They have published in San Francisco Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Country Living, Via, Diablo, Underground Wine Journal, Wines & Vines, Vineyard & Winery Management, Slow, Epicurean, Central Coast Adventures, The Vine, California Homes, Food Forum, Get Up and Go!, WineMaker, the Contra Costa Times, Sally's Place and the Livermore Independent.

      In 1997, Nancy formed Culinary Communications & Consulting, taking her knowledge of food and her writing skills to the aid of clients in the culinary world. In 2000, as the work burgeoned, Tim joined her, lending his expertise in the world of wine. Today they produce press packets, brochures and educational material, write web site, catalog, tasting note, packaging and advertising copy, and company and organizational newsletters. The variety of projects just keeps growing.

      Nancy and Tim learn continuously from their colleagues in the culinary world. Between them, they belong to the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Copia, the International Association of Culinary Professionals, the San Francisco Professional Food Society, the Slow Food Movement and the Southern Foodways Alliance. Nancy's culinary experience includes living and eating in Asia for six years and taking cooking classes in a wide variety of cuisines. Tim turns his many extension courses in enology at the University of California, Davis, into hands-on experience as a prize-winning home winemaker. Nancy currently serves as president of the San Francisco Professional Food Society.

      In their spare time, they are also married to one another.