Beyond the Menu Rachel Whinnery Akron, OH
“Beyond the Menu " will be a video series that invites viewers into the kitchens of some of Akron’s favorite restaurants and food businesses.
Rachel’s project, “Beyond the Menu,” will invite viewers into the kitchens of some of Akron’s favorite restaurants and food businesses as a video series.
The YouTube series—produced by Everyday Akron—will take viewers behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made (and whatever else is on the menu) while meeting the people who make it all happen.
The focus is the @everydayakron Instagram account, where a different Akronite shares their side of the city weekly. The secondary location is the website, with blog posts on niche topics, local guides to explore the city better, and features on small businesses and nonprofits.
The Everyday Akron team and Rachel have been brainstorming the businesses to feature and planning how the episodes will tell their stories. They have also been developing a marketing plan to launch and share the series digitally and in person via a premier showing.
Due to scheduling conflicts (some team members transitioned into new jobs in the fall) and winter weather (the wet, gray environment is not dynamic to film), filming has been halted until the spring. They are also looking into additional ways to fund the project to make it a success.
In the coming months, Ray and team will reach out to their curated selection of restaurants and food businesses to schedule a filming time, followed by editing, scheduling launch dates for each episode, rolling out the marketing plan and hosting a premier event/launch party.
About Rachel Whinnery
Rachel Whinnery is the creator of Everyday Akron, an online community hub showcasing local stories and businesses. A storyteller at heart, Rachel is dedicated to illuminating the spirit of her adopted hometown. Her passion for Akron extends beyond digital spaces to community involvement with organizations like Friends of the Goodyear Branch Library.
Follow Rachel on TikTOk, IG & YouTube @everydayakron
Visit the project website.
Additional links:
- Everyday Akron website – Rachel continues to share stories and small business features highlighting the people who make Akron an interesting, vibrant place to live.
- Everyday Akron newsletter
- Around Akron with Blue Green interview Getting to the heart of what Everyday Akron strives to achieve.
- Rachel hosted the @everydayakron Instagram account in November, and a couple of the posts were related to new businesses, hidden gems and things people should know more about in the city. It was a sly way to get some insight into potential businesses to feature.