Passion Meets Creativity: A Chat with Zoe and Amara, The Dynamic Duo Behind “Lime & Spoon.”
In a world driven by social media and the relentless march of technology, the rise of apps like Instagram and TikTok has showcased how easy it is to access anything with just the swipe of a finger. Zoe and Amara, the sisters at the helm of “Lime & Spoon” have carved a niche that seamlessly blends high-quality content with a passion for food.
Beyond making content and recipes for their viewers, Zoe and Amara have etched their mark by working with companies like CGA, further showcasing their versatility and creative prowess. Join us as we dive into the minds that created Lime & Spoon, exploring their upbringing, educational journey, and much more.
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Can you recall a specific childhood memory that laid the foundation for your shared passion for food and creative content? How has that memory continued to influence your work?
Zoe: I can’t recall one specific memory but our childhood was definitely filled with a lot of delicious food and baked treats. My mother particularly expressed her love through food. She would cook and bake all the time and she still does.
I fondly remember making homemade pizzas together, coming up with Christmas menus, and trying new recipes. She really instilled in her children the gift of giving through cooking. Showing appreciation to others came in the form of freshly baked cakes and muffins. Her curiosity for cooking and baking not only nurtured my palate but also set the tone for my own food journey.
Growing up, there was always an abundance of ingredients. You name it, my mother has it, although you may have to dig in the depths of the cupboards for it. This really did expose us to a lot of different foods and gave us the opportunity to try recipes outside of the norm.
I would definitely say the style in which I cook and the types of recipes that I gravitate towards are a good reflection of the way my mother cooks. She really liked trying new and different recipes and so did I.
In what ways did your upbringing shape your understanding of the connection between food, culture, and creativity? How do these elements come together in your studio's projects?
Amaara: Food has always been a form of connection for our family and community. My aunt’s black cake or the icebox cake my grandma made for her children is now part of our identity. Not only eating but also sharing and passing down recipes, tips, and techniques have bonded us so much.
The creativity aspect we learnt later, especially with starting Lime & Spoon, we’ve really embraced that culture is dynamic and it’s ok to open ourselves up to change as well. Often, when we brainstorm, we think of the food we have that connection to but also how we can add our own touch to it.
Did you both attend culinary or creative schools or did your passion for food and content creation develop in a different way? Can you tell us about any significant learning experiences that shaped your skills?
Zoe: Our shared love and introduction to food began at an early age. Growing up, we were fortunate to be raised in a household where our parents shared a love for cooking and baking. Our kitchen truly served as the heart of our home. Neither of us attended culinary school. Zoe and I both have a degree in biology, but I took nutrition courses and a written communication course during my time at U.W.I.
Additionally, during high school, I pursued Food and Nutrition for CSEC. Reflecting on it now, Food and Nutrition was more than just a subject; it played a pivotal role in shaping my current food journey and career. I learned the fundamentals of cooking and baking, skills that have stayed with me to this day.
Amaara holds a BA and MFA in Design, and she has always found joy in expressing herself through various art forms, including painting, graphic design, and photography. Embarking on this journey seemed like a natural fit for her as it combined her passion for creativity and my passion for food.
The name of your studio likely carries a story. Could you share the inspiration behind its name and how it reflects your creative vision?
Zoe: We were on the verge of launching the food blog and faced the difficult task of choosing the perfect name. The pressure was on. One day, Amaara walked into my room armed with just a pen and a piece of paper, ready for a brainstorming session. We sat down together, determined to come up with a name that would capture the essence of our food blog.
We started by jotting down random food-related words, ranging from ingredients to utensils. We mixed and matched these words, combined and recombined them, searching for the right combination. After much deliberation, we finally settled on "Spoon and Spice."
I wasted no time in creating an email address and even switched our Instagram handle to match our chosen name. However, the very next day, we both had a change of heart. "Spoon and Spice" didn't quite resonate with us. It lacked a certain charm. It was then that Amaara suggested "Lime and Spoon," and instantly, it felt like the perfect fit.
This new name encapsulated the essence of our blog, reflected both of us and we both agreed that it was the ideal choice. It was a moment of excitement that began our journey as Lime and Spoon.
The transition from a blog to a content creation studio implies a remarkable evolution. What core principles guided you as you transformed your platform, and how did these principles reflect your artistic integrity?
Zoe: The transition initially wasn’t an intentional one and it happened very early on. We started the blog in August 2017. Within a couple of months, companies were already contacting us for food photography and recipe development. We decided to see where it would take us, I really never imagined that 6 years later this would be my full-time job.
Truthfully, it never crossed my mind that this was something I could’ve made money from. Amaara had a more optimistic outlook. The blog-turned-content creation studio offered product photography, food photography, recipe development, and stop motion a little later on. We remained steady with these offerings for over 4 years. In 2021, I decided to start a TikTok page and naturally, it ended up being food-related.
We slowly started to include recipe videos as a service. However, it wasn’t until 2022 that we really started highlighting our videography service. With videos becoming the predominant form of media now with TikTok and IG reels, the addition of videography to our offerings was a necessary one. Throughout this process, we always try to maintain our vision and point of view despite the medium. We are selective in the work we do and always prioritize maintaining our standards.
Businesses often face moments of uncertainty and doubt. Can you share an instance when you questioned your direction, and how did you navigate through those uncertainties to emerge stronger?
Zoe: Particularly during the pandemic, it was an exceptionally challenging period for many individuals and businesses, Lime and Spoon was no exception. Everything seemed to come to a sudden and indefinite standstill. With numerous businesses closing down and budgets being cut, it led to fewer opportunities for content creation and collaboration.
Additionally, sourcing ingredients and props became a daunting task, and navigating the fear and uncertainties brought about by COVID presented a significant challenge. There were several moments when we contemplated a complete change in direction.
However, we made a deliberate choice to stay committed to this path. Navigating these challenges demanded a lot of creativity, adaptability, and the capacity to adjust to the evolving circumstances. During this period, we continued to nurture our relationships with companies, networked with others in the industry, and honed our skills and style.
We even ventured into the world of TikTok. While this period was marked by uncertainty, it also provided room for growth. Fortunately, we emerged on the other side stronger and more resilient than before.
As sisters, you share a unique bond that extends into your professional partnership. How do you navigate the balance between maintaining a close personal relationship and fostering a successful business dynamic?
Zoe: I would say that Amaara and I have what I would describe as a typical older sister-younger sister dynamic. With a four-year age gap between us, Amaara has always been someone I've looked up to and leaned on.
The experiences we shared during our upbringing have definitely molded us into a team that now understands how to play off of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Being sisters there is also trust that we want the best for each other so we can trust that our choices and suggestions are coming from a good place.
We bring different things to our business. There are aspects that I handle, like recipe development, cooking, and cleaning, then aspects that she handles, like editing, graphics, and more of the digital side of things, and then aspects that we both do such as social media, photography, videography, and styling. We balance each other off in our areas of weakness.
As for creative differences, we are usually on the same page. This hasn’t been something we've really butted heads on. Despite the inevitable arguments that happen from time to time, we’ve managed thus far to not only survive but thrive successfully as sisters and business partners.
Your studio likely produces a wide range of content, from recipes to photography and beyond. How do you balance creativity and authenticity while catering to a diverse audience?
Amaara: We rely on a mix of intuition and data. We track our analytics relentlessly but trust our point of view and experience in food blogging. Having the ability to post and test helps us make decisions and gives us insight when we make content for others. Our perspective as Trinis is already so diverse and we try to lean on that and it seems to resonate with our audience.
Could you share a project or moment that challenged you to think outside the box and pushed your creative boundaries in food photography or content creation?
Amaara: When creating content for others there are, of course, limitations. An example is a set of recipes for a juice company we recently created. We had to make over 30! it becomes a challenge to keep recipes fresh and original each time.
We try to continuously learn and absorb so that we always have ideas we can reference but we also make a bit of a game out of it. Crossing ideas, techniques, flavours, and recipes against one another to make something innovative.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for Lime and Spoon? How do you envision the future growth and evolution of your blog, and what goals do you have for your creative journey as sisters running a food content company?
Amaara: Our biggest goal right now is a kitchen studio! We would love to have a space where we can work with other recipe and content creators and collaborate with other creatives. A space that allows us more flexibility in how we cook and shoot.
We specialize in home cooking and approachable recipes so our regular kitchen does the trick at the moment, but we can’t wait to invest in a space that can bring more people together, maybe have classes and share what we have learnt over the years too.
As role models for aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs, what advice would you give to individuals looking to start their journey in the world of food and content?
Zoe: It's a gradual process that requires continuous effort, adaptability, and a genuine passion for what you're creating. Be consistent with putting out not only quality content but also content that makes you happy.
Pace yourself, it’s very easy to feel burnt out mentally and creatively when you have to constantly push out content and keep up. There will be lots of doubt and frustration, feeling like things are stagnant, but stay patient and keep working, even during those periods of slow growth things can suddenly change.
This interview only scratches the surface of Zoe and Amara’s inspiring journey. If you’re hungry for more delectable creations and the full spectrum of what they create, be sure to follow them on Instagram at limeandspoon and on TikTok at Zoetallia.
Before we conclude this article with the ultra-talented sisters behind “Lime & Spoon,” I wanted to apologise for the recent hiatus in our upload schedule. A surge of exciting new opportunities and unforeseen challenges have kept us incredibly busy behind the scenes but I want to assure each and every one of our loyal readers that we are diligently working to bring you exciting new interviews and return to our regular schedule.
Thank you for your continued support and stay tuned for what’s to come at Preshaa.
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