Food & Dining Reporter - Eastern PA

Advance Media • Easton, PA

8d • $50,000 - $56,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

LehighValleyLive.com is seeking a Food & Dining Reporter for Eastern Pennsylvania who will become a go-to source for restaurant news and a guide to the agriculturally-rich communities. The reporter will develop trust across communities, grow their audience on multiple social platforms, and find places where food, drink, and culture bind people together. The coverage area extends into Pennsylvania, as far west as Lancaster, focusing on a burgeoning food scene and eclectic start-ups. The role involves driving to locations to try new food offerings and reporting on them.

Requirements

• Degree in Journalism or Communications or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 2 years’ journalism experience with a proven ability in reporting and writing, preferably including experience with food and dining
• A natural curiosity and enthusiasm for discovering and understanding a wide variety of foods, flavors, and cultural traditions
• Proven ability to source, report and break news on a busy local food scene
• Comfort working across written, visual and audio platforms
• Experience utilizing a variety of social media platforms, with on-camera presence a plus
• Comfort and enthusiasm for using AI tools in a professional workflow to improve efficiency
• Experience building, maintaining and engaging an active audience
• Ability to work independently under deadline pressure and prioritize tasks appropriately
• Demonstrated capability in capitalizing on high-value topics by engaging audiences in frequency and urgency
• Understanding of how to leverage relationships with sources to deliver content that differentiates the organization from competitors
• Reliable transportation

Nice To Haves

• On-camera presence

Responsibilities

• Serve as a leading authority on the dining, food and beverage industry in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding parts of eastern Pennsylvania.
• Break stories on openings and closings of restaurants and adjacent businesses, including bars, cafes, microbreweries, distilleries, organic farms, butchers, local markets, and specialty shops.
• Build and maintain relationships with chefs, restaurateurs, tourism leaders, farmers, artisans, local chambers of commerce, business associations and hospitality professionals.
• Attend tastings, openings, festivals, and industry events to identify stories before they become mainstream.
• Provide expert commentary and recommendations for audiences seeking trusted guidance on where to explore local culture through food and drink.
• Develop destination guides, rankings, features, and trend analyses that showcase eastern Pennsylvania’s unique culture.
• Deliver insightful reporting that balances enthusiastic storytelling with journalistic integrity and expert knowledge.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level