Who's Writing Restaurant Reviews? A Profile!

Restaurant Reviewers are an entertaining and essential ingredient of Menu Network! As editor-in-chief, I am lucky to work with dedicated Foodies who are excited to share their dining adventures by rating and reviewing restaurants in their area, so the rest of us will know where to eat when we hit their part of the country.

In an effort to tell the world about these wonderful Food Lovers and talented writers, it is my pleasure to profile a Menu Network Reviewer so you can get to know (and adore) them like I do.

I’m starting my series with Mindy Schwartz, aka Nashville Photo Queen.



Born in the Bronx, Mindy transferred to Nashville in 2001 as part of a corporate career move. Although not a Country music lover, she embraced the move in the way she embraces her life—fully. Not even given a chance to make her first mortgage payment, Mindy was laid off (along with everyone else) and while the severance package made breathing easier, she didn’t know what she was going to do in a new town without a clear career path in front of her.

Mindy’s friends helped out by reminding her that she loved taking photographs and was good at it. They suggested she try getting them into galleries and selling her prints. And Shazam…a new career was born! Mindy’s first show at a local pub was a complete success when she sold every single piece she in the exhibit.

Mindy knew she was well on her way when Alan Jackson’s manager called asking to use her photo of the World Trade Center to accompany his signed lyrics of "Where were you when the world stopped turning?" for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation auction. (see photo). The project was label as “priceless” and Mindy felt fortunate to be a part of this special occasion. Since that success, Mindy has donated many of her photos to other charity organizations such as Hospice in remembrance of her Nana.

Fast forward seven years and we find Mindy, enjoying her status as a professional photographer, writing restaurant reviews for Menu Network (!), and using her years of corporate skills to build her own business, Full Circle Admin Services. “Everyday brings something different,” Mindy says. “And I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Read Mindy’s restaurant reviews and check out her photos! Drop her a line too--she's really cool!