Meet Ava Praschnik | Miami Food Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ava Praschnik and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ava, what do you attribute your success to?
Consistency, consistency, consistency! That’s truly the key behind every successful creator and something I remind myself of every single day. Over the past eight years of being a content creator, there have been plenty of moments when I’ve looked at my engagement and felt discouraged by the low numbers. Sometimes it makes me want to take a break from posting, but I always remind myself to keep going, because every time I stay consistent, I see results. There are always going to be times when the algorithm isn’t on my side, but then it suddenly pushes out my content, my numbers go up, and I’m reminded why I love doing this.
I’ve also learned to stop worrying so much about people’s perceptions of me. It took time to realize that not everyone is going to like me, and that’s perfectly fine. I stay true to myself and know who I am. And honestly, if someone shares or comments on my video to make fun of me, that’s still a form of engagement. So yay.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Food has always been my outlet for happiness. I grew up in a home filled with good cooking where great meals were prepared, and I’ve always been excited about food for as long as I can remember. One day, I noticed my Google search history was filled with PDFs of menus for restaurants I was planning on visiting, and I knew then that food was more than just consumption for me.

Ever since middle school, when I created my first YouTube account just to watch INSIDER Food, I knew I wanted to work in the food industry. So, when I turned 17, I finally decided to create my food Instagram, and once I started it, I never looked back.

What sets me apart:

Growing up, my parents were divorced, so I split time between living with my mom in South Miami and my dad in Hialeah – two places very far apart from each other on the spectrum, as far as food options. When I was with my dad, I’d visit old-school Cuban bakeries and cafeterias, and while with my mom, we’d go to charming, upscale restaurants. I was constantly exposed to different kinds of food and incredible cooking by my mom from a young age, which gave me a deep appreciation and love for food early on. Being surrounded by such a diverse food scene has enabled me to now share and recommend the perfect places for both locals and tourists to dine.

Biggest lesson I’ve learned:

Never give up, and keep going. If you truly love what you do, everything else will follow, because what you put out is what you get back.
I’ve also learned that finding a niche is very important, and once you find the niche that works best for you, continue with it. About a year and a half ago, I made a big pivot and started focusing more on voiceovers so I could share my honest opinions about food, rather than the food just being prepared with a viral song over it. I found a new niche that resonated with people much more than my previous content, and learned how important it is to see how your audience reacts to what you put out.

What do I get most excited about?

I get excited when people ask me for recommendations, because it shows they trust my taste and my voice, which always makes me so happy. It validates all that I am doing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh! My favorite question. If someone I love is visiting my city, then it’s likely they are going to have the time of their lives.

Don’t hate me, but I recently went to Tinta y Café for the first time and was completely taken aback by their Maduroro sandwich – tender pork, sweet and gooey plantains, caramelized onions, and garlic aioli (make sure to get an extra side) all layered between a crunchy yet soft baguette. Truly delicious!

If your sweet tooth is kicking in, we’re heading to B Bistro for my favorite pancakes of all time – the Guava Pastelito Pancakes. The pancakes get drenched in brown butter and maple syrup, and are served with guava pieces and a cream cheese mousse that I could eat by the spoonful, and I may or may not be talking about a soup serving spoon! And while we’re on the topic of guava and cheese, we might as well stop by the nearest Pinecrest Bakery to snack on some pastelitos – specifically the guava, the cheese, and a jamon croquetta.

When the clock strikes noon, it’s lunchtime. Every city has its local fast-food spot, and for us, that’s Chicken Kitchen – it’s a rite of passage. You can’t go wrong with any bowl, but you can go wrong if you don’t order a side of crispy skin on top. It carries most of the flavor (along with the garlic cilantro sauce) and makes for my ideal quick and casual lunch.

If we’re in the mood for something a little more bougie, we’re heading to Miami Slice, which I think holds the title for the best slice in the city.
If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I’m a sucker for anything honey, especially if it’s spicy (bonus points if my bestie Mike is involved). The best pizza on their menu is the All Kicks: hot honey, pepperoni, and stracciatella – AKA the best combo ever. The word “flop” does not exist in their vocabulary. The pizza is always crispy, stands up straight, and the undercarriage is perfect. It’s truly so special.

Pre-dinner drinks are a must when it comes to showing my friends a good time. We’ll head to Bartaco for the freshest margaritas ever – all the juices are fresh squeezed, so you get a little pulp in every sip. But if we’re in the mood for something more classy, we’ll go to Swizzle for an extra filthy, dirty, disgusting martini served with a mini thermostat so you know it’s ice cold. For the second round, we’ll get their iconic Swizzle cocktail (a swizzle stick is used to rapidly mix all the ingredients together) which has earned them many awards.

Sushi is my favorite food in the world, so for dinner, we’re going to Shingo for an omakase that teleports you to Japan. The attention to detail is unreal – every bite is fresh, simple, and melts the second it touches your tongue. It’s a traditional experience, so don’t expect truffle ponzu or coconut purées, just the pure freshness of the fish.

If we’re craving something heartier and way more casual, we’ll go to Ichimi, my favorite ramen spot in Miami. The broth is rich and creamy, the pork is juicy, and the soy-marinated egg is the thing of my dreams. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm and cozy hug.

And finally, dessert, the best part of any meal. We’re heading to Sunny’s for the kouign-amann ice cream sandwiches that will simply change your life. It’s a caramelized croissant stuffed with a cold scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. It’s that perfect kind of caramelization that gets stuck in your teeth in the best way possible. Just don’t tell your dentist…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I truly have the most supportive people around me, and I couldn’t ask for better friends or family. Whether it’s my friends being patient while I take 15 pictures of one dish at a restaurant or pretending not to be embarrassed when the ring light comes out (blasting what seems like 1,000 lumens across the dark restaurant), they’re always excited for my achievements and my biggest cheerleaders. Every single one of my close friends has helped me with a video – whether they were behind the camera, acting as a hand model, or just there for moral support. And to my mom, my number one fan forever and always. She’ll drop everything to help me and is endlessly proud. Her attention to detail always comes through when we’re filming, as she constantly reminds me that “how you do anything is how you do everything.”

Website: https://substack.com/@avapraschnik?r=ufg9c&utm_medium=ios

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yumiami_?igsh=MWVjZXAzOG9rd3dtOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr