The SWFL Food Junkie was started in early 2018 to explore the food scene around Southwest Florida. Looking for local must-try restaurants, foreign favorites, new cuisine that I didn’t think was in the area. I never imagined my weekend adventures would turn into a passion for food, culture, and content creation. Finding local gems and trying new dishes in an effort to provide more awareness for the local food scene in Southwest Florida, follow along for your next foodie adventure.
The SWFL Food Junkie has become a local Instagram guide for where to eat in Southwest Florida over the last couple of years. It is owned and operated by Aaron Greenfield, a marketing professional by day with a passion for food. Growing up in a bakery, it was only a matter of time before he found his way into the food scene. A Southwest Florida transplant, moving to the Fort Myers area in 2007 to attend college at Florida Gulf Coast University. It was after college that he started to explore what Southwest Florida had to offer and found a community full of delicious food that he never knew existed.
The SWFL Food Junkie started as an experiment to learn about the world of Instagram influencers profiles. The profile quickly took a life of its own and I found myself being invited to local events and restaurant openings. I’ve always enjoyed the food so it was a perfect match, and from there the rest is history. We’re always looking for great spots around SWFL, helping to promote local restaurants and the community around them.
By day I work in marketing when I’m not working I enjoy traveling and spending time trying a new restaurant. Born overseas, into a family of cooks and bakers I grew up being the taste tester for just about everything. That’s where the passion for food started since then I have thrown myself at trying new types of foods and trying to learn about the history of food and culture. Taking pictures along the way to share my experiences with everyone because what’s better than sharing food?
Trying a new restaurant or food is exciting, and you can have a great experience or a not pleasant one. Food reviews can be highly subjective, which is why we don’t grade a restaurant on a scale. The simple answer is if we didn’t enjoy the experience we don’t post about it, and if we enjoyed it then we post about it. How we pick what restaurants to try next are driven by recommendations and honestly just driving around and town, so if you have a suggestion please let us know, and we’ll add it to the list!
Have a spot you think I should try, maybe you’re looking for recommendations, or own a restaurant that you would like me to try and feature on the SWFL Food Junkie platforms? Send me a message!
