Alumni in the Spotlight | Eden Faithfull

My career has had me jump all over the place, geographically and otherwise! When I first started working in journalism, I was a production assistant for Channel 7's The Morning Show and The Daily Edition, sourcing props, greeting and ushering guests, pitching segments and writing the occasional script. I followed that experience into my work at Channel 9, where again I found myself bouncing all around the different news desks; starting at Helen McCabe's womens' network Future Women, to becoming a lifestyle writer, news reporter, and reality TV show producer (yep, MAFS and Love Island were all my fault for a while there!). I moved to Boston in 2021 and started working as a food writer for America's Test Kitchen, a food media company that has a long-running TV show, hundreds of cookbooks, and publishes Cook's Country and Cook's Illustrated magazines. It was my dream to work in food media and writing, having already established a food-focused magazine in Sydney and developing a love for cooking... and eating, of course.

What inspired you to pursue a career in journalism?

When I left Hills Grammar, I wanted to be a pediatric psychologist. I completed my degree in Psychology at the University of Sydney, and expected to go on to do a Masters of Science in Psychology. But as the years went on in my undergraduate degree, my passion for writing (one that was instilled in me in Mr. O'Donohue, Ms. McFadden, and Mr. Gates' English classrooms!) pushed me further towards my student newspaper deadlines than it did my p-values and research methods. When it came to the end of my degree, I had been a reporter for the student newspaper, been editor-in-chief of the campus' online news journal, and helped co-found the largest university video network in Australia, broadcasting news, culture and lifestyle videos for students. It was fairly clear at this point that I had found a passion in journalism, and I didn't look back! I instead completed an Honours Year in English Literature, seeking out as much hands-on experience in media as I could get. I freelanced for the Sydney Morning Herald and Crikey, and became a producer for Backchat, a political and current affairs radio show in Sydney. I also co-founded Counter Magazine, a bi-annual publication focused on sustainable food and Indigenous agricultural practices across Australia. I love storytelling, and platforming voices and stories you might not otherwise have the chance to hear in the Australian media landscape. I'm so lucky to have been given the opportunity to do that through the wonderful publications I've worked for!

What is one highlight from your time working as a TV producer for Channel 9?

I had so many wonderful experiences working for Channel 9, both a little bit silly, and incredibly fulfilling. As a reality television producer, you certainly see your fair share of drama on and off the sets of some of Australia's favorite guilty pleasure shows. But I think my greatest highlight was being asked to become a news reporter for Channel Nine News as the COVID outbreak began to ravage Australia. With a desperate need for more ears to the ground, finding out the truth behind the development of vaccines, the locations of outbreaks and the severity of the pandemic, I was thrilled to be placed into the fast-paced world of online and television news journalism, and found it incredibly rewarding to put my investigative research and reporting skills to use.

What is your current role at America’s Test Kitchen?

I'm currently a food writer and magazine editor at America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country magazine. Yes, it's a bit of a mouthful, but I'm so lucky that my job encompasses so many wonderful aspects of the business that it's tough to fit in a single title! I work with chefs as they develop recipes, writing about the recipes they create and the techniques they employ to help home cooks learn and create beautiful food. I also do on-camera work, performing cook-throughs and demonstrating recipes, and have also reported for our food-focused podcast, Proof. If writing was my first love, then my greatest love would have to be food and cooking. When I moved to America with my now-husband, my dream was to work in food media, and ATK has made that dream come true!

What do you consider to be your most notable professional achievement, and why?

Is it cheating to offer two? I was so proud to be awarded Best New Talent at Channel Nine; in such an enormous company, I was given so many opportunities to shine by my wonderful colleagues, and earned so much experience across the news, entertainment and lifestyle verticals that I worked in during my time there. I was also so excited to research, record and present an episode of ATK's podcast Proof about food security and sustainable food systems being set up across the US. I reported from both Boston and Florida, platforming organizations creating affordable access to fresh food that would otherwise go to waste. The show went on to win the IACP award for best podcast, which was such a pleasure to see, and so rewarding for my hardworking friends and colleagues!

What are your future aspirations?

I absolutely love working in food media, and plan to continue working at America's Test Kitchen for the foreseeable future. The wonderful thing about this company is the breadth of opportunities it offers. As I've mentioned in the two years I've worked here, I've already worked across broadcast, editoral and audio platforms. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to embrace more on-camera work, increasing our reach (hey, maybe even to Australia!) and continue to educate about the value of food, cooking, and community. Having moved to New York City, I'd also love to branch out and establish my own journalistic network, investigating the food scene here (because that's never been done before in NYC, right?!), hopefully with more of an angle towards accessible and sustainable city farming. I also volunteer at my local food co-op and soup kitchen, and would love to do as much as I can to highlight their work and impact.

What advice can you give to our Hills Originals

I completed my entire undergraduate degree before I changed my mind about what field I wanted to work in. I'm so grateful that the "sunk cost" fallacy didn't hold me back—don't be afraid to investigate new avenues and possibilities, even if they're not currently compatible with your studies or your job right now. At the very least, you'll gain a fulfilling new hobby, meet some great new people, and expand your horizons!