Esther Martin, MLA

I’m Esther Martin (she/her/hers), a food scholar, folklorist, and storyteller based in Philadelphia, PA. I came to food studies the way anyone does - in my final semester of Theater undergrad at Temple University. After realizing everything I thought I wanted was a lie, I followed a wobbly, intoxicated path to the Masters of Gastronomy at Boston University where I completed my MLA.

Topics in food studies that really get my popcorn poppin’- food folklore and foodways, material culture and kitchenalia, food in literature (specifically historic romance, children’s lit, and food-themed cozy mysteries), and pretty much whatever else grabs hold of me. Styles of writing that really blend my smoothie - public-facing, accessible writing, available to anyone who wants to learn something.

My side hustle (day job) is in Instructional Design. As an instructional designer, I’m committed to creating equitable, just, and inclusive learning environments, and specialize in community building, synchronous engagement, and course management. I love gardening and estate sales, both of which have made me face my own mortality in very different ways. My gardening preferences lean native and sustainable, while my estate sale preferences lean questionable and chaotic. My other hobby is being a single mom to my casually evil 9-year-old, Laurel, who exclusively eats peanut butter and jelly and $47 worth of strawberries daily.

Please laugh at my funny jokes.