Michelle Lawton, a seasoned food and beverage strategist, has long been passionate about the joy good food brings. Her debut book, "Moderating a Love Affair with Food," is a playful but thoughtful guide to mindful eating and drinking. With her consultancy, Joyful Plate, Michelle has worked with many brands, promoting a balance between health and indulgence.
Michelle's creative process began with years of industry experience and keen observation of evolving food trends. Collaborating with graphic designer Miles Malanowski (BFA class of 2024, FIT) and Janice Pedley, Founder & Creative Director at Pause for Thought, Adjunct Instructor at FIT, Michelle turned her insights into a visually engaging and thought-provoking book. They crafted the book’s aesthetic using mood boards and a central character that embodies mindfulness and optimism. The team's synergy allowed for a seamless blend of vibrant graphics and insightful content, resulting in a guide that’s as entertaining as it is informative.
The Inspiration and Development Process
Michelle's journey to writing the book was fueled by her extensive experience in consumer insights and qualitative and quantitative research. "I've been working across the country, refreshing and revitalizing brands, creating imaginative new products, and concept development," she shared. Her work with various brands, from natural foods to indulgent treats like gelato and wine, gave her a unique perspective on the food industry. This experience informed the book's core message: enjoying food while maintaining health.
The book's title, "Moderating a Love Affair with Food," came about after extensive brainstorming and feedback from friends and family. Michelle explained, "I had been thinking about the subject of eating and drinking mindfully for years...I wanted to make sure that the book was at once educational and inspirational." The focus groups helped validate the concept and refine the book's direction.
Michelle's holistic approach to health and indulgence is reflected throughout the book. She emphasizes the importance of balance, stating, "We are human and play is important...we can't live by granola and oatmeal alone." This philosophy is woven into the book's narrative, offering readers practical tips for enjoying food without compromising their health.
Engaging the Design Team
The collaboration with Miles Malanowski and Janice Pedley was crucial in bringing the book to life. Michelle praised their contributions, saying, "Teamwork Makes the Dream work...the whole book could not be possible without Miles and Janice." Miles created a character that served as a mindful guide throughout the book, helping to visualize Michelle's concepts and make the content more relatable. Janice was a great sounding board as a seasoned Creative Director.
The design process was iterative and collaborative. "Miles helped to bring it to life so beautifully," Michelle noted. The use of mood boards and consistent feedback ensured that the book's visuals aligned with its message. Each graphic in the book was thoughtfully designed to convey its respective chapter's essence, balancing playful elements with more serious content.
Conclusion
In essence, Michelle Lawton's "Moderating a Love Affair with Food" is more than just a book—it's a testament to the joy of balanced living and the power of thoughtful design. Through her collaboration with talented designers and her deep industry knowledge, Michelle has created a guide that is both visually captivating and profoundly insightful. Her journey from concept to publication is a story of passion, creativity, and dedication to promoting mindful eating. As Michelle continues to innovate in the food and beverage space, her book stands as a valuable resource for anyone looking to enjoy food mindfully and joyfully.
About the Book
Moderating a Love Affair with Food: 10 Tips to Mindful Eating and Drinking is an easy-to-read and entertaining playbook for the industry pro, the food- and wine-obsessed, “foodie,” home cook, or any eater who adores food and drink but is looking for a little help with moderating. The book offers 10 tips for self-control based on a food pro’s personal experience eating and drinking at home, work, and in social settings. Subjects covered include self-care, moderating alcohol, cooking mindfully, eating out in restaurants and navigating the many tempting social situations we find ourselves in, and the expectations that others can put on us.
To replay “FIT Authors Talks” click here.
About the Author: Michelle Lawton
Michelle is a food and wine lover and founder of Joyful Plate, a food and beverage research and branding consultancy. She holds an Advanced Wine Certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and shares her wine, food, and travel experiences on Instagram. Michelle is passionate about community, volunteering with the West Side Campaign Against Hunger in New York City for 15 years and with Les Dames d’Escoffier NY, a nonprofit supporting aspiring professional women in food and beverage hospitality. She is a happy home cook to her man of many years, and loves making risotto for friends and family, and other recipes she picked up during her many travels through Italy and Europe. More on that here. On work breaks, you can find Michelle biking and brainstorming around Central Park, always on a quest towards moderation and balance.
You can learn more about Michelle on her linktree here. Or contact her at LinkedIn. Or email her at: michelle@joyfulplate.com and follow on Instagram here.