We had the good fortune of connecting with Tonya Watkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tonya, what makes you happy? Why?
The things that make me happy are also the foundation and ideology behind my Fly Girl Foodie Platform and the essence of why I created it…”Faith, Family and Food” (in this exact order).

I think back to a quote from a book by Author Anita Hinkeldey McVey “Because He First Fed Us: Ordinary Meals – Extraordinary Messages”. One of my favorite quotes from this book reads: “Before God created mankind, He created a garden. God was preparing a meal for us before we arrived. He gave us our senses to fully appreciate and enjoy this world. He gave us our family and friends and opportunities to share with each other. Food is a love language. It nourishes, heals, comforts, and delights the body and the soul. When food is transformed into a meal, it becomes love in action.”

My perspective is so similar to this. My goal is to cultivate love, kindness and joy in every blog post and every article I write. My commitment to supporting small local businesses stems from my upbringing and having two community activists and lovers of God as my parents. We celebrated life and each other around our kitchen table and I want to share that same love with others.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a food enthusiast and world traveler behind FlyGirlFoodie.com. I’m a Texas native and have had the pleasure of traveling the world working for a major airline, as a Flight Attendant, for 34+ years.

What sets me apart from other bloggers is my unique perspective as a “fly girl”. I have been providing food recipes, food and restaurant recommendations to my friends, neighbors, and community for years leaning heavily on my travel experience and the tastes, textures and tones of every city I’ve traveled to throughout my career. Most who know me, know that I’ve been a major foodie my whole life and I’m the go-to person to ask what and where to eat. I’m the kind of foodie that remembers every intricate detail about a great meal, and then excitedly, shares those details and my experiences with others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Brunch on Saturday at Five Central/Upper Kirby Bistro Houston,TX (Black-owned restaurant/cigar bar/live performance space/lounge) Sunday Church at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church

Monday Hip-Hop Cardio Class at Fitness Connection Sugarland (MIXXEDFIT)

Tuesday Lunch and Poolside Swimming at Marriott Marquee Downtown Lazy River

Wednesday Lunch at Micheaux’s Southern Cuisine

Thursday Dinner at Ruggles Black Houston

Friday Self-Care Girls Night at Home

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate this shout-out to my parents, Dr. Richard Watkins and Dr. Helen Watkins. They really fostered a solid foundation in me built on shared experiences of love, the importance of community-building and meeting the needs of others who are less fortunate and don’t have the resources we children grew up with. I am forever grateful to my Mom and Dad for instilling in me a great work ethic and the desire to constantly better myself and my craft…to take pride in everything I do.

Website: www.flygirlfoodie.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flygirlfoodie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/flygirlfoodie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flygirlfoodie

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1ZkdA7AuZYBJAlOcjk687A

Image Credits
Monica Watkins

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