Whether cooking online, on television, conducting a radio interview, or performing in front of a live audience, media appearances are no piece of cake. They require special skills, detailed planning, and extensive practice.
We offer comprehensive one- or two-day media training programs designed for cookbook authors, chefs, product spokespeople, show hosts, and food professionals. We also offer a one-day training specifically geared to a variety of non-fiction, how-to, and other non-culinary topics.
Drawing upon more than 35 years of experience, our approach focuses on realistic, practical materials. The training— which was featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered”— is completely hands-on and provides clients with an opportunity to focus exclusively on improving media presentations, interview skills, core messaging, and live appearances.
Participants will spend their day(s) under the lights and in front of the camera, taping and critiquing actual video demonstrations and interviews of varying lengths.
“Before Media Training, I was skeptical about any time spent in front of the camera. Lisa not only gave me the skills and confidence I need to get through a TV segment, but I’m actually looking forward to putting my new knowledge to use!”
—Allyson Kramer, Cookbook Author
The purpose of this training is to:
- Assess current interview level and style, with emphasis on existing skills
- Provide extensive practice in a supportive, constructive environment
- Offer direct, personalized feedback
- Create an individualized action plan for identifying and coordinating opportunities
The objectives of this training are to:
- Understand how to select and break down appropriate recipes for demonstration
- Learn how to prepare detailed equipment and preparation lists
- Uncover subtle techniques for building an effective relationship with interviewer, host, and audience/viewer
- Identify ways to make the most of an interview when time is unexpectedly decreased
- Recognize the differences between commercial and public radio shows
- Discover how to give powerful radio interviews with strong “visual” appeal
- Maximize media appearances through social media channels
- Differentiate between solo-to-camera and guest interview segments
- Determine key message points and identify ways to incorporate them into each interview/presentation
Course participants will practice:
- “Blocking Out” the set and choosing appropriate ingredients and equipment
- Cooking and speaking simultaneously
- Fielding difficult media questions
- Leading the interview or segment
- Staying “on track” and “on message”
A partial list of the culinary professionals who have completed our media training course includes:
Pam Anderson, Elizabeth Andoh, Joy Bauer, Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois, Chef John Coletta, Chef Jesse Cool, Chef Marcel Desaulniers, Trish De Seine, Michelle Dudash, Mary Ann Esposito, Carol Fenster, Chef Marcus Glocker, Sandra Gutierrez, Raghavan Iyer, Lynne Rossetto Kasper, Mollie Katzen, Ellie Krieger, Chef Emeril Lagasse, Padma Lakshmi, Rebecca Lang, Chef Edward Lee, Faye Levy, Sheila Lukins, Chef Barbara Lynch, Nick Malgieri, Chef Mark Miller, Chef Alfred Portale, Chef Stephan Pyles, Steve Raichlen, Chef Missy Robbins, Chris Schlesinger, Maria Speck , Chef Ana Sortun, Chef Jerry Traunfeld, Chef Charlie Trotter, Chef Norman Van Aken, Andreas Viestad, Joanne Weir, Chef Jasper White, and Joe Yonan.
“My media training session with Lisa Ekus exceeded my high expectations. It was practical, professional, and personalized to my goals, which she explored with me in detail prior to the intense, energetic and worthwhile day I spent with her. I came away with greatly enhanced skills and a deeper understanding of the medium and how I can work most effectively within it. Lisa’s program gave me multiple hands-on, realistic on-camera experiences, with her thoughtful performance critiques after each segment. Thanks to her notes on what works and advice on everything from concept and preparation to technical aspects and handling challenges, I’m ready to create excellent and memorable presentations every time.”
–Nancie McDermott, Cookbook Author
A short list of our non-culinary clients includes:
Andrea Patten, Dr. John Pilley and Chaser, Suki Kramer, Renee Schultz, and Amy Stokes (Infinite Family – CNN Hero).
Corporate clients include:
American Roland Food Corp., Johnson and Wales Culinary University Chefs, Pew Charitable Trusts, Cuisinart, Edible Communities, Food Blog South, Levy Restaurant Group Chefs, Wilton Enterprises, Windsor Court Hotel Chefs, and Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Managers.
For a full list of our media training clients, please click here.
“There is no doubt that you have a tremendous amount of wisdom and are at the top of your field. You encouraged me to be myself and be confident in doing it. I felt a huge connection with you and I do not think that it was a coincidence! ‘Luck is for the ill prepared.’ Thanks to you I now know how to prepare!”
–Jean Paul Bourgeois, Executive Chef, Blue Smoke
Cost
The fees for one- and two-day media training courses held in our fully equipped studio kitchen (or for non-food clients in our library setting) at the offices of The Ekus Group are $3,000 and $5,000, respectively. Ingredients, food preparation, travel, and accommodation expenses are additional. Pricing for off-site media training and group rates are available upon request.