Olivia McCool: Food Stylist and Recipe Developer
#CreativeToWatch
Olivia McCool is a food stylist and recipe developer based in NY.
What do you do?
I am a food stylist and recipe developer. That answer alway elicits excitement when people ask. It’s awesome to have a job that people react so strongly to! If they are unfamiliar I usually explain by saying “You know when you see an ad for yogurt and the yogurt looks so perfectly swirled? And the berries so perfectly plump and red? Yeah, that’s me.”
What is your favorite spot in NYC?
Hands down ABC Home and all the ABC restaurants. Walking into that store is so inspiring to me. It’s my happy place. And I’ve never had a remotely bad meal at any of the restaurants. On the contrary I’ve had some of the best meals of my life there.
What’s on your winter playlist?
A lot of dance music both current and from the 2000’s. I am SO that mom in an SUV, wearing yoga pants, car dancing with the volume all the way up. It’s the closest thing I’m ever going to get to a club, maybe ever again.
What inspires you?
Traveling and eating in different countries used to be my biggest inspiration for my cooking. These days between Covid and having little babies, travel isn’t happening. My local farmers markets are really inspiring to me. I always go in not knowing what I’m going to buy and I let what I see guide what we’re eating that week.
Favorite project you’ve worked on?
It’s hard to pick a favorite because I’ve had so many awesome projects that were awesome for different reasons. Sometime’s it’s the brand or client that is the best part and sometimes it’s the team I’m with that really makes it special. But for a long time Pret A Manger was on my bucket list of clients because I just love the brand. And the time they came knocking was pretty great. I styled some whipped cream topped coffee drinks for one of their campaigns and it was a great shoot.
Dream collaboration or company you'd love to work with?
Target and Whole Foods are both on my client bucket list. I think they both have great advertising and I’d love to be a part of it some day. And, admittedly, as a suburban mom who frequents both stores weekly, it’d be cool to see my work in the wild.
How do you break out of a creative funk?
I haven’t quite figured that out yet. I absolutely get into funks creatively. Interestingly I have found that my creativity is very affected by my hormones. I’ve been pregnant twice now and there’s a certain point in both pregnancies that it felt like every good idea just got dried out of me. And then both times, about 2 months post partum, it was like my mind got completely flooded with what felt like incredible amounts of creative thinking. But at a time when I didn’t have the bandwidth to execute them! So, I’m not sure yet how to break out of a funk but I know from experience that it certainly doesn’t last forever.
What’s some creative advice you live by?
“Stay in your lane. Comparison kills creativity and joy.” - Brene Brown. I’m still practicing this. It’s so easy to get sucked into comparison in my industry.
Who would be at your dream dinner party, and what are you cooking?
It’s just me and Idris Elba and we’re having oysters. Don’t tell my husband I said that.
What are your favorite creative outlets outside of cooking?
Decorating and designing my home is very creatively satisfying to me. I’m always wishing I had more mental and financial space for home decor but when a part of my home comes together beautifully, I just love it.
An artist or creative that is really inspiring you right now?
I recently bought Missy Robbin’s book Pasta. Her commitment to authenticity and simplicity is so inspiring to me. The book is beautiful and makes me want to cook everything in the book. Her experience of Italy and Italian food that she lays out in her book directly speaks to how I feel about true Italian cooking.
Are there any other creatives in nyc you’d like to shout out?
Oh my, I have the pleasure of knowing and working with so many amazing creatives who are not only talented but also lovely people. Lucky me! Jocelyne Beaudoin is a set designer and model who has been my mentor for years. I used to work for her and she showed me the ropes when I was just a teenager. She is the prime example of someone who is very talented and does it all with such grace and kindness. Her very successful modeling career started around age 60 and it’s inspiring to someone my age to see that you never know when or where your career will really bloom. She’s a great follow on Instagram @jocelynebeaudoin.
Favorite specialty food store in NYC?
I don’t know if I’d say it’s my favorite, because I don’t go there all that often. But Rafetto’s in the West Village has THE BEST Fiore di latte mozzarella I have ever had outside of Italy. They also sell their own fresh pasta there along with lots of Italian specialty foods. But go for the mozzarella. Bring cash and check the hours before you go.
Does your son appreciate your cooking yet?
“Appreciate” may not be the right word just yet. But everyone says unanimously that he is the luckiest toddler they know. He eats really well. A lot of it gets thrown on the floor like every other toddler but the stuff that makes it in the mouth is some really good stuff. Kimchi Udon is one of his favorite things I make him.
