Welcome to Eat Sleep Instagram , our weekly series of conversations with the people behind the most drool-worthy Instagram accounts about how they’re navigating the digital age, deliciously.
This week, Taste Talks contributor Amanda Odmark ( @amandaodmark ) talked to Marta Freedman , the visionary behind @h0tgirlseatingpizza , about finding the best pie coast to coast, professional pizza parties, and authenticity on social platforms.
How much time do you spend on social media?
As of recently, I’ve been trying to limit how much time I spend on social–probably a solid two hours a day in 10-15 minute increments. I don’t really care for the new Instagram timeline, and find it boring, so I am subconsciously posting less and spending less time on the app. I also work at a social shopping app, (Depop) so I spend more of my time on there now.
What inspired you to start @h0tgirlseatingpizza?
My mom passed away about three years ago now, and I really needed a project to keep me social and distracted while I adjusted. I really randomly came up with the concept, but I’m very much an executer and “doer” when it comes to ideas. I started it and really organically I learned it was a great networking tool, as well as platform for working with brands and people I admire.
What kind of opportunities have you gotten from creating this community? You throw parties connected to the HGEP account – how did that come about?
So many! One of the best things to come from HGEP is definitely the community itself. I have met some of my best friends through pizza dates, introductions from other pizza dates, and so on. It is also so cool that it gives me a reason to email the CEO whose career I admire, or a musician or actress I’m a fan of and ask them to get pizza. I have worked with lots of brands through HGEP and I’m one of the only people throwing pizza parties in NY and LA. Baby’s All Right randomly asked me to have the first one about two years ago now. I think I’ve probably done 45 pizza parties at this point- small, big, private, public… all kinds.
Has social media offered connection for you?
Totally. I mentioned how I met a lot of my best friends via HGEP and essentially social media. I still really enjoy connecting IRL (hence me taking HGEP offline during pizza dates) but sometimes when I post something personal or emotional about my mom’s passing, go on a Snapchat rant about my views on something, or try to talk about how being nice is cool, it’s awesome to see people are so vocally receptive. I don’t connect to someone’s most curated lifestyle so I think it really depends. I am really raw and uncensored on my personal channels, and I think HGEP reads as an authentic platform so I really enjoy the genuine connections I make.
You’ve maybe eaten more pizza than most New Yorkers…what are your top picks? Any pizza insider secrets for the best slice/best pie?
It really depends on what I’m feeling, who I’m meeting, and now that I work in Greenpoint (and live in Brooklyn) location is usually a factor now, too. Here’s my quick top 10 in no particular order: Rubirosa, Speedy Romeo, Patrizia’s, Two Boots, Williamsburg Pizza, Joe’s, GGs, Roberta’s, Emmy Squared, and fried pizza from Forcella.
You hop around from NY to LA – talk to us about pizza in both places!
Pizza in LA is different than NYC, but you can still find some good pizza. When it comes to LA pizza, I prefer pies over slices. I love Stella Barra and Pizzeria Mozza. In NYC, I change my pizza like I change my mood. Sometimes I really crave the grainy cornmeal crust at Two Boots (also in LA) and other times nothing makes me happier than a square pie at GGs. I am a huge Roberta’s fan, but I have to be in the mood. Sometimes I go to my neighborhood spot, Sal’s Pizza, for a vodka slice and garlic knots but I have to have a solid reason to eat pizza when I am alone.
Do you have any rules or advice for folks who are working to develop their social platform?
Be authentic and be yourself. I think you also have to find and nurture what makes you stand out. Use your platform wisely and don’t take it for granted; no one really cares about your latte.
