Searching “Places to eat in..” is so common and this search is always followed up with questions in your head like ‘Is the food nice?’, ‘What’s the atmosphere like?’, ‘Do they really do what they say they do?’ and so much more. The use of Micro-Influencers has boomed and they’ve become the go-to platform to learn all about experiences in local areas. Over lockdown, we’ve seen the growth of Milton Keynes Influencer Goh Feed Me, an Instagram account run by Josephine Goh who highlights the best places in Buckinghamshire and beyond.  

What do you do when you're not working as an influencer?

I work full time as a fashion stylist at a creative content agency in Milton Keynes working with a lot of great brands and clients but recently I got promoted to shoot coordinator which is very exciting!

What inspired you to start your Foodie Instagram page Goh Feed Me?

My Dad has been a chef throughout his life so I’ve loved food since a very young age and growing up I have been fortunate enough to eat out in so many places. I eat out A LOT so it was a no brainer for me to start a foodie Instagram page.

How did you start as an influencer? 

As I eat out a lot, I normally get asked for recommendations of where to go so I started taking pictures of food and doing a review of the food and drink and overall dining experience for people to see. I soon realised it was something I enjoyed doing and (I like to think) have a knack for. I'm now the type of person that makes everyone else wait before they eat their food just so I can take a pic haha! 

In your opinion, what's the best way to build a sustainable influence?

I think ensuring your posts are as authentic and appealing as possible. Especially if you're a food blogger, you want your photos to grab your followers’ attention and be share-worthy and talked about. Also being consistent on your stories and feed helps too!

What would you say has been the highlight since launching Goh Feed Me?

I did not expect my page to grow so quickly - I have gained over 1.5K followers since I started 4 months ago which is crazy. The growth and support have been so overwhelming! Another highlight is restaurants far and wide are reaching out and inviting me to upcoming launches and events.

The Waffle House in St Albans, who are renowned for their waffles, invited me for the launch of their Supper Club which was such a big deal at the time. It just goes to show you don't have to have a big following for businesses to see what you're about - you're good enough as you are!

What's next for your brand?

I will continue to showcase more delicious food on my feed and share recommendations of places I love. I also want to start collaborating with food businesses to create great content together and I have a giveaway in mind when I hit 3K so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Where are your favourite breakfast destinations in the city?

Nonnas in Woburn Sands has a great breakfast menu, from classic eggs benedict to breakfast pizzas, which caters for all tastes. They also stock Say doughnuts on Saturdays which is the perfect post breakfast treat.

If you love your coffee in the morning then I recommend heading to Out of Office in Witan Studios. They make great tasting coffees using Colanna Coffee beans and have a great selection of pastries and cakes to have alongside your coffee too.

Where is best to go for a brunch in the city?

French Affaire in Stony Stratford makes delicious croques served with french fries and salad. If you love your seafood, I highly recommend the lobster croque with parma ham! They also do sweet and savoury crepes and afternoon tea.

Woburn Brasserie in Woburn is another best place for brunch as they do the most amazing brie and bacon flatbread; caramelised onion chutney on flatbread with crispy bacon and topped with creamy melted brie. It is honestly to die for!  

I absolutely love Dim Sum and usually go to Oriental Garden in Northampton. Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal made up of small plates of dumplings and other snack dishes and is usually accompanied by tea - similar to the way the Spanish eat tapas. With over 70 dishes on the menu to choose from, there is something for everyone and it’s so worth the half an hour drive from Milton Keynes.

And your top 3 dinner destinations?

Fratelli in Woburn is a really great place for dinner and in my eyes is the best Italian in Milton Keynes! They serve hearty, fresh and authentic Italian dishes and use the finest ingredients both locally sourced and straight from Italy so you know you are getting the real deal. The cocktails go down a treat too - I love their French Martini.

Olé Tapas Bar serves up delicious, authentic Spanish food with a modern twist. They have a lot of dishes to offer which are great for sharing especially if you like to try a bit of everything like me! My favourite dish is the prawn and mussel croquettes. 

You can't go wrong with a good steak for dinner and The Anchor in Aspley Guise serves the most impressive surf and turf sharing board. It includes 18-20oz of the most tender and flavoursome ribeye on the bone, prawns, scallops, chips and sauces. They also do a seriously good Sunday roast that is worth checking out too.

Which influencers should we be talking to next?

The awesome Sophie Etc - she is a Milton Keynes blogger sharing the best places to eat and explore and she’s absolutely killing it with her platform!

Beauty and the Feasts is a food blogger covering Milton Keynes and Northampton area. You will find close-up food pics on the feed which will no doubt make your mouth drool and a lot of home cooking inspiration.

Written by Josephine Goh and Charlotte Moyle

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