As The Food Channel Editor in Chief, Kay provides primary leadership in the development of content and features for the website. This includes the popular Top Ten Trends reports that help the industry identify and discuss what is happening in the world of food. Kay attends major food shows, where she has been part of the trends panel for the Fancy Food Show, and a speaker for events such as Chain Operator’s Exchange (COEX). She participates regularly in the evaluation of new products both in the kitchens of the Food Channel and at events across the country. She is responsible for most of the food and restaurant review on the site.
Prior to joining The Food Channel she was responsible for the design and creation of a variety of award-winning websites since the early ’90s, working in municipal government as well as in education and the arts. Kay has worked both in radio and print, and is an adjunct faculty member at Drury University in the Communications Department. She holds a B.A. in English and Communications and an M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communications, with a thesis project focusing on the Missouri tourism market. Kay has written food and restaurant reviews for a variety of publications and is a frequent seminar speaker. She is an expert dinner and events planner and has been recognized for her hospitality by the Springfield Sister Cities Association, leading a delegation to Japan in 1998.
In her work with the Arts, Kay handled strategic long-range planning—skills that she has brought to development of http://www.foodchannel.com, and facilities management, renovating a 35,000 sq. ft. warehouse into a community arts center. In that capacity, she worked closely with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the local Chamber of Commerce, serving on the governmental relations committee, the Vision 20/20 Strategic Planning Committee, and working with the Jordan Valley Park Advisory Committee for development of that Springfield attraction. She was responsible for obtaining several million dollars in grants and federal appropriations for both infrastructure and operations.
She has demonstrated skills in public relations and promotions, strategic planning, message development and delivery, legislative support, website management, market research, and providing employee, board and shareholder communications.
Follow Kay on Twitter @foodchannel (twitter.com/foodchannel) and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/foodchannel.
