A Call for Contributors

WACSO / Heavy Table

The Heavy Table has been publishing stories about the food and drink of the Upper Midwest for nearly 15 years. Our contributors have included prominent chefs, published authors, professional writers, and a host of other culinary notables. We’ve published long profiles, restaurant criticism, breaking news, business stories, essays, comics, and more, and are always open-minded about experimenting in new media.Above all, Heavy Table seeks to publish stories focused on subjects that are otherwise forgotten or overlooked, celebrate hidden gems, and unearth buried history. We serve our readers first, last, and foremost.

PUBLISHING MODEL

The majority of Heavy Table’s content is published behind a paywall (a subscription-driven newsletter backed by Patreon contributions). We encourage circulation of screenshots / quotes from our stories, and post some of the best and most timely work for public consumption at www.heavytable.com.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for talented writers who are constantly exploring, always curious about new foods, and excited to talk to the chefs, servers, farmers, entrepreneurs and others who are feeding the public. Our contributors should combine clean, factually accurate prose with wit, timeliness, skepticism and context. Journalism background and published clips are helpful but not mandatory – the key thing is an ability to communicate clearly, ethically, and engagingly.

POSITIONS

General Contributor: Utility player; on our writers’ list to help catch breaking news or profile assignments, keep an eye on the developing restaurant scene, and pitch regularly (at least once a month).

Reviewer: Special eye on value for customers and spotlighting deserved and otherwise overlooked restaurants, food trucks, bars, and more. Ideally one or two reviews a month, potentially one long, one short. Developed palate and food vocabulary is critical, your tasting notes will be one of the keys to these stories.

Photographer: Join our photographers’ list and be available for assignments (mostly in the metro area) that range from reviews to styled food shoots to portraits and more.

Video Contributor: The Heavy Table would like to explore video (likely YouTube or TikTok) in a series-focused way in the next 12-18 months. We’re happy to take pitches for ongoing series or work with the right qualified applicant to develop something that would be a win:win:win for the site, the contributor, and our audience.

RATES

Base rate for contributions to Heavy Table range from $55 (for short/simple stories, typically under 500 words) to $110 (for longer pieces). Food or other direct expenses are generally fully reimbursed as well, with prior approval from the editor. Rates are also negotiable on a piece-by-piece basis; travel, time sensitivity, length, depth, and other factors can raise the rate. We’ve paid $600+ for longer and more involved stories.

Regular contributors (6+ pieces a year) will also receive a free subscription to the newsletter at the $10/month level.

Heavy Table stories have evolved into event series, published books, radio and television interviews, and a host of other positive things, and we’re happy to work with contributors to develop beats and bigger projects.

APPLICATION

Contact editor@heavytable.com with a note of interest. Attach a writing sample or two, a brief biography, and note any areas of expertise and/or interest. We’ll review applications and reply to everyone by end of day March 10.