San Diego food journalist Lauren J. Mapp recently launched the “Tides & Tacos” food blog. She chose a traditional Thanksgiving menu but stuck with the basics. Mapp, an alum of Times of San Diego and former reporter with The San Diego Union-Tribune, left in May and started “Tides and Tacos” on Substack in June. During her five years at the U-T, she was a highly proficient staff writer. Her 2021 story on the best local California burrito had high conversions and was one of the most-read stories on the website. The burrito story also won awards from the San Diego Press Club and the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists. Earlier this year, she won another Press Club award for her “Tides & Tacos” introduction column. She wants to write a book on Indigenous food sovereignty with her mom. Mapp worked her way through college in San Diego, earning degrees in culinary arts, journalism, and political science. She wrote restaurant reviews for student newspapers. While some food writers have limited restaurant experience, Mapp aims to cover the local food scene on “Tides & Tacos”. Recent posts on the blog include various food-related topics. She said “Tides & Tacos” is different as it contains honest reviews and doesn't accept free food. December's posts will feature holiday cocktail recipes using locally sourced ingredients.“Tides & Tacos” - A Unique Food Blog
Mapp's “Tides & Tacos” is a project that shares diverse stories of San Diego's food scene. It covers everything from finding the best versions of dishes to deep dives on niche topics. As a Black and Kanienʼkehá:ka (Mohawk Nation) woman with a farming background, she is excited to use the blog to tell these stories. Recent posts like “Tasting Tijuana” and “North Park beverage blogger” showcase the variety of content.Indigenous Food and Journalism
Mapp's goal with “Tides & Tacos” is to give a voice to Indigenous food sovereignty. She grew up in New England with limited Mexican cuisine and fell in love with real tacos in San Diego. Her blog provides a platform for chefs, farmers, and food producers to share their stories. It's a space that isn't influenced by advertisers or restaurant agreements, ensuring honest reviews.San Diego County Fair Marketing Awards
The 22nd District Agricultural Association received 10 awards from the International Association of Fairs and Expositions for the 2024 Fair. Awards included Best Marketing campaign for the “Let’s Go Retro” theme and various other categories. Nearly 900,000 people attended the 20-day fair. The District's CEO expressed gratitude for the awards and looked forward to the 2025 fair with a new theme.Jack in the Box's Leadership Restructure
Ryan Ostrom, executive VP and chief marketing and digital officer at Jack in the Box, Inc., is assuming additional responsibilities as chief customer and digital officer. His new role is part of a strategic leadership restructure. He has been with the company since 2021 and will continue to drive initiatives for brand loyalty and operations excellence.Sun Country Builders' New Marketing Manager
Carolina Alban-Stoughton has been named marketing and business development manager at Carlsbad-based Sun Country Builders. She will lead client relationships, identify new business opportunities, and oversee marketing and public relations. Previously, she worked at Calsense and the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. She has a master's degree in broadcast journalism and a bachelor's degree in communications and has been honored with writing awards.
