What is RIA?
Restaurant Intelligence Agency (RIA) uncovers, shares and archives the work of great chefs, mixologists and sommeliers. Our websites, Spoonfeed and Soapbox, connect restaurants (directly or through their publicists) to audiences that matter, producing more media coverage and reaching more diners.
When did RIA start?
Restaurant Intelligence Agency (RIA) is a software startup founded in February 2007.
Who is behind RIA?
RIA was founded by CEO Ellen Malloy, former restaurant publicist.
ellen@restaurantintelligenceagency.com
312-307-4457
Follow on Twitter: ellenmalloy
Find on Facebook: EllenMalloy
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What is Spoonfeed?
Spoonfeed is our tool that chefs, mixologists, sommeliers, restaurants, their publicists and the media use to connect online. Members fill out their Personal and/or Restaurant Profiles (essentially online press kits), posting answers to our questions, and responding to media requests, creating a unique home base for local and national media to discover restaurant news. Spoonfeed also sends member news proactively to media, and drives the content for Soapbox, our public-facing magazine. If you can reply to an email, Spoonfeed can work for you.
What's up with the name?
We think of Spoonfeed as a restaurant PR food chain.
It's also a great resource for:
- Archiving your menus, dishes, background, inspiration and opinions in one place, where you can update or edit it anytime
- Collaborating with your publicist to maximize their time and your media coverage
- Generating great content for your Twitter and Facebook accounts
- Having a home base to direct media with interest in learning more about you and/or your restaurant
- Communicating and collaborating with your staff
- Assigning someone you trust to manage your online presence
- Assuring you are included in the conversation about trends, seasonal events, holidays, ingredients — in time for media on deadline
What is Soapbox?
Soapbox is our digital magazine written by chefs. Soapbox content creates a timely, compelling magazine that speaks the true language of the kitchen, engaging diners and helping them decide where to eat and drink tonight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone join?
For now, our site is limited to chef-driven restaurants and their staffs. As we continue to grow, we will begin to open up membership to other types of restaurants, food producers, distillers and breweries.
- Chefs, owners, mixologists, sommeliers and restaurants join Spoonfeed to create their online press kits, release their daily news and reach more media and diners.
- Publicists use Spoonfeed to streamline promotion of their clients, collaboratively managing their accounts online to save time and get more media coverage.
- Media use Spoonfeed to query members directly, research facts and menus, pick up photos for publication, and get inspiration and ideas.
So it's free to join?
Yes. And our products will always be free for media and diners. Restaurant professionals, restaurants and publicists join for free to build and archive their online press kits and gain access to incoming local and national media requests. Once their press kits have basic content, if they choose to take advantage of our Premium features and benefits, they can upgrade to an affordable Premium account.
How does the media interact with Spoonfeed?
The media can send you media requests, view your Profiles, search for story leads and data, see exclusive behind-the-scene information about you and your restaurant, and monitor trends that we note and you respond to.
Can I invite people from other restaurants to Spoonfeed?
Yes. Our national network of chefs is growing all the time, and we're actively developing several new cities. We've built invitation requests into many of our pages; just add their information and your friend or coworker will be sent an invitation to join. Or, if you know of chefs or restaurants who could benefit from this service, and you want to see your city's culinary community benefit from our many features, please give them our contact information and we'll take it from there.
How can I share my Spoonfeed content with my diners?
Diners can enjoy an editorial version of our Premium members' Spoonfeed content on Soapbox, our digital magazine.