Daily Inspiration: Meet Franann Frempong

Today we’d like to introduce you to Franann Frempong.

Hi Franann, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Good food has the power to bring people from all walks of life together. Throughout my life food has been the connective tissue linking me to my family and friends. My mother and grandmother were the first ones who showed me how cooking can be an act of love and service for the people you care about.

During big holidays, we’d visit my Gran’s house and the whole family would come together and enjoy each other alongside an array of food. In those moments, I was used to hearing and sharing opinions about food. If something was too bland and disappointing, or delightful and tasty, I was going to tell you. After a while, I became a natural food critic. It got to a point where if I didn’t say something about a family member’s food, the rest of my family would get worried.

I’m compelled to share my honest feedback about my dining experiences because it comes from a genuine place and allows both fellow patrons and the restaurant to gain insight from my perspective. When a meal is great, it makes me happy, not just because it’s delicious, but because someone cared enough to make it that way. There are times when food hasn’t been so good and I believe that sharing that part of the experience is just as important. My love of food goes beyond reviewing restaurants on Yelp. Frannie the Foodie is a form of therapy where I get to show gratitude through my love of food. Plus I get to engage others with my reviews and posts, and that makes it even more fulfilling.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ll be transparent and say that it hasn’t been smooth sailing throughout my journey. I’ve had my fair share of heartbreaking and challenging moments along the way. By age 16 I lost both my parents, conquered homelessness, and battled severe depression and trauma without a lot of moral support.

Despite those challenges, I pushed through to earn a BA in Clinical Psychology and a Masters of Social Work. I will continue to make strides because of my “can’t stop won’t stop attitude” and by fulfilling my life’s journey through my love of food and helping others.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Not only am I Frannie the Foodie, a rising food critic, digital content creator, I’m also a social worker. But, with all the food in the world, I’m still proud of the work I do for a living the most. I specialize in Older Adult Health, behavioral health, healthcare, and community health & development, which means I enjoy building strong impressionable connections between people and their communities to help them both thrive. On top of sharing my reviews, I’m currently developing a business that will focus on the development and health of older adults. With all the work I do, with communities and individuals it is crucial I provide support and resources to assist them with their resilience.

These are not responsibilities I take lightly. The way I connect and build in the communities I work in extends to the way I make impressionable connections and bring communities together with my food reviews. While it’s not as sexy as a top Yelp review or IG food porn, being a social worker gives me a sense of deep fulfillment because I’m able to make a difference and still stand firm in my passions. And I’m committed to doing that work for the sake of aiding & empowering people, and communities, in the long run. If I had the opportunity to be a food critic on a full-time basis, I would.

But, because I have an equal passion for both food and social work, I want to keep doing it ALL for as long as I can.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most important characteristic to my success is my persistence–aka my “can’t stop, won’t stop” attitude. This attitude has fueled my entire life and it continues to give me the strength to keep going no matter the obstacles.

Contact Info:

• Email: franann920@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/frannie_thefoodie
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=2PuUlpGylm9xrhOMvbe_HA&utm_source=ishare

Image Credits
Franann Frempong