Food + Drink
Q&A: Nikki Rappaport Sweetens Up Your Day With Cupcakes for Breakfast
[All photos courtesy of Cupcakes for Breakfast]
I keep up with way too many blogs - more than I really need to, but once in a while I come across a blog too good to not start following. Cue: Cupcakes for Breakfast.
I first heard of Nikki's blog through VMac & Cheese, but it wasn't until she and I were e-introduced via a mutual friend (actually, I think it was through a mutual friend of a friend, or something like that, but anyway) that I added it to my blog list and started reading...and I haven't stopped reading.
Cupcakes for Breakfast is sparkly, quirky, and filled to the brim with everything delicious (and yes, there are cupcakes). You'll instantly be hooked on Nikki's recipes - generally centering around comfort food and sweets (the best kinds of food!), they're both easy to re-create and incredibly tasty. The girl can most definitely cook (and bake), but she's not just running a food blog - besides all that is food related, Cupcakes for Breakfast boasts colorful posts on style, snippets of life, inspiration boards, day-to-day thoughts, and my personal favorite: a healthy dose of the best boy bands that the 90s had to offer.
Nikki graciously took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for The Couch Sessions - read on and find out more about the lovely lady behind Cupcakes for Breakfast - and then go bookmark her blog!
The Couch Sessions: How was Cupcakes for Breakfast born?
Nikki Rappaport: I went to school for journalism because I've always loved to write. As a Senior at GW, we had to create a website as a final project and I started posting my recipes. I love cooking at home for family and friends, so that's where it really started.
Your blog posts range in topics from fashion, lifestyle, food, '90's pop (awesome) and the list goes on…where do you get your inspiration for your posts?
I joke that my blog is really "things Nikki likes today dot com." It's really a personal account of how I view things at the moment. My posts aren't planned far in advance and usually just document a recent flavor or feeling. I love comfort food and color so most often my posts revolve around those two things.
Tell us more about your work at Cava Mezze - what exactly do you do, and how did you get involved with the restaurant?
Cava is an awesomely unique company. We have full-service restaurants, fast-casual restaurants, and a grocery product line. I was originally drawn to the business because we're a DC-born group and we're always innovating and trying new things. I oversee brand strategy at Cava Grill, our fast-casual restaurants, which includes experiential and digital marketing, social media, in-store and online visuals, events, community engagement, customer service, PR and much more.
How would you describe the DC food scene? I don't know too much about it, but I've recently been hearing more and more about eateries and chefs from the area.
I've been in DC for eight years now, so I've been proud to watch it grow....from cheap college food to big projects like the new BlueJacket brewery. When I first came to DC, it wasn't a place that boasted food and lifestyle brands. Which is why I thought I would have to move to NYC after graduation for the kind of jobs I wanted. But slowly they became more prevalent, and they're actually sticking around, which is awesome. It's only growing and I'm just happy to be a part of it.
This is probably going to be a hard one, I can never answer this for NYC, but I have to ask - where are your absolute favorite spots to eat and drink in DC?
Definitely a hard one! But I love restaurants that serve great, comforting food. Some of my favorites are: Red Hen, Cork, Rose's Luxury, Garden District, and of course Cava Grill.
Dream dinner party: you can invite any five people, dead or alive, and you can eat anything you want. What's it going to be?
My favorite dinner parties are with my family. I would have loved to meet my four great grandmothers and eat our favorite family recipes (homemade pasta, stew, chocolate pound cake) and learn about their favorite meals to cook.
Where do you see Cupcakes for Breakfast going in the future?
Honestly I still see it as a daily outlet to share my thoughts and recipes. As I take on other projects like brand consulting and event planning, it definitely will evolve. I love that I'm in a place where I have a fantastic full-time job, but I'm still able to do everything I'm passionate about too. It's great how much cross-over there is!
With all the new blogs popping up all over the Internet these days, do you have any advice for aspiring bloggers out there?
Just have fun and do what you love. My favorite part of blogging is the community. Take the time to read and comment on other blogs. It makes the whole experience so much more worthwhile when you find likeminded writers who are interested in the same things as you.
Last question: It's time for breakfast, and you can have any kind of cupcake - which would you choose?
Banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting!
Thank you so much, Nikki! Everyone, don't forget to head over to Cupcakes for Breakfast - this I promise you, you'll be adding it to your blogroll in no time.
