Meet Chloe Waluts, the vibrant personality behind @bostonbychloe. As a Massachusetts native, Waluts has many years of Boston adventures under her belt. She’s spent the last couple of years chronicling her meals on Instagram and Snapchat and quickly realized her passion for sharing her go-to spots around town. Read on to hear about why she loves the Boston restaurant scene and her favorite hangs around the city.
Tell us a little about yourself. How’d you end up in Boston, and what inspired you to create your Instagram account?
I was born and raised in Revere. Boston has always been a short train ride away for me, so at a very young age I would always be in and out of the city. Initially, I graduated from Emmanuel College wanting to become an art therapist, but instead, I found myself using that creativity in food videography!
My friends had always mentioned how hungry they would get from watching my Snapchat and Instagram food stories. They would then ask where every location was, so to help them I made my Instagram account in April of 2022. I couldn’t have ever imagined growing so quickly and being able to share many unique food spots with a bunch of Bostonians.
What makes the Boston restaurant scene special?
Boston is a huge melting pot for cultures and their cuisines. Within a few miles of Boston, you can find diverse food such as Haitian, Vietnamese, Mexican, Japanese, Filipino, and even Maldivian! Along with the many cultures, there are also unique experiences such as conveyor belt sushi, hibachi, arcade bars, speakeasies, tiki bars, etc.
Name the top five dishes on your Boston food bucket list.
- The adorable baos at Wusong Road
- The gigantic lobster rolls at James Hook & Co.
- The wagyu dumplings at Mooo….
- Arancinis at Galleria Umberto
- Anything at Bova’s Bakery
What do your friends and family think of your life as an influencer?
They’re extremely happy for me. I have a special friend who always jokes about creating an account where she features the life of a food influencer friend which would include all the behind-the-scenes shots and what she does to help with the filming.
What’s your food photography/videography philosophy, and can you share your top tips for taking awesome food photos or videos? Do you use any fun tools or equipment for snapping the best ‘gram worthy content?
I know many other foodies have already said this, but good lighting is truly key. Natural sunlight is always best but when that’s not possible, this light I got from Amazon does the trick!
What advice would you give someone just starting out as an influencer?
Remember to have fun! It’s easy to get caught up with numbers and the algorithm. It’s best to enjoy yourself and to remember why you started posting in the first place.
Which Boston restaurants and chefs are nailing it on social?
Beyond chefs, what are your top three favorite food Instagram accounts to follow?
There are so many amazing foodies to choose from, but the ones that truly inspire me are:
- @mydietistrash: Nicole’s work and reels are beyond meticulous and creative. She doesn’t only create videos, she creates art! I’ve been so inspired by her.
- @discover.boston: Boston’s sweetheart! Taylor is so so kind and a ray of sunshine. Her reels are always catchy and fun to watch.
- @citygirllens: T’s photography and videography is amazing. She has such an eye for it. I also love seeing how much fun she has when she’s filming and dancing at shoots!
Favorite spot that everyone should try once: Grace by Nia
Favorite place to splurge: Menton
Favorite brunch spot: Citrus & Salt
Favorite pizza joint: Galleria Umberto
Favorite neighborhood for food: East Boston
Favorite spot to take visitors from out of town: The Baldwin Bar in Woburn
Favorite foodie book or movie: Ratatouille! I used to love seeing the chefs cook and create beautiful dishes!
