About
Hey There! I’m Anna Wilson
Content Strategist & Food Writer | Storyteller | Community Builder | Age 33
Charleston, South Carolina-based writer who believes soup recipes are really stories about comfort, connection, and home.
My Story
I’m a journalism graduate who accidentally fell into food writing while covering a local soup kitchen charity event. Interviewing people about their relationships with soup—childhood memories, cultural traditions, comfort during hard times—revealed something profound: soup carries stories that transcend the recipe itself.
That realization shifted my entire writing approach. Food isn’t just ingredients and instructions; it’s memory, emotion, identity, and connection. Every bowl of soup somebody makes represents a moment in their life—celebrating, nurturing, healing, or simply surviving.
The Turning Point
Two years ago, I wrote a recipe introduction about my grandmother’s chicken soup helping me through my first heartbreak. It was vulnerable and personal—honestly, I almost deleted it for being “too much”.
That post got 2,000 comments from readers sharing their own soup stories—grief, divorce, new parenthood, immigration, illness. People weren’t just looking for recipes; they were seeking connection and validation that food matters emotionally. That’s when I understood my real job: creating community through storytelling.
What I Learned the Hard Way
My journalism training taught me objective, fact-focused writing. My early recipe introductions were boring and informational: “This soup contains protein and vegetables and takes 30 minutes”.
I had to unlearn that detachment and embrace personal voice. Now I write like I’m talking to a friend—sharing why this soup matters, what memory inspired it, how it fits into real life. That authenticity transformed our engagement completely.
My Approach Now
Every Soup Cozy recipe introduction tells a story—why this soup exists, who it’s for, what moment it serves. I interview team members about their personal connections to recipes, research cultural context for international soups, and incorporate reader stories showing how recipes fit into real lives.
I also write our email newsletters, social media content, and blog posts connecting recipes to seasons, emotions, and life moments. Soup isn’t just dinner—it’s self-care, celebration, tradition, and love made edible.
What I Believe
Stories create connection: People bond over shared experiences, not ingredient lists
Vulnerability builds trust: Authenticity matters more than polish
Food is emotional: Acknowledging that deepens reader relationships
Community needs cultivation: Engagement requires genuine interaction
Every recipe has a story: Finding it makes content memorable
How I Can Help You
At Soup Cozy, I craft every recipe introduction, newsletter, and blog post building community through storytelling. I also manage our social media engagement, responding personally to comments and messages.
My “Food Writing Fundamentals” course teaches bloggers and writers how to blend personal narrative with recipe content authentically.
A Little More About Me
When I’m not writing about food, I’m probably reading fiction (I average 100+ books yearly), walking Charleston’s historic streets with my rescue cat Basil (yes, he leash walks), or hunting antique cookbooks at estate sales.
My guilty pleasure? Reading one-star Amazon reviews of classic literature. They’re absolutely hilarious.
Let’s Connect
I love hearing your soup stories! Share memories connected to recipes, tell me about your food traditions, or just talk about what you’re cooking this week.
Get In Touch
Read my stories at www.soupcozy.com | Email: [email protected] | Instagram: @annasoupstories
