Meet the staff: Entertainment reporter loves covering food and fun for Treasure Coast

Laurie K. Blandford, a Fort Pierce native, started working for TCPalm a week after she graduated from the University of Florida with a journalism degree in 2008.

She began her career as a freelancer, was hired full time in 2010 and covered local government. She joined the breaking news team in 2013, covering Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties until she became the Treasure Coast entertainment reporter in 2017.

Fun fact: She actually started with the Fort Pierce Tribune in the late '90s at age 13, writing for the teen page called "Radar" about entertainment — specifically music reviews of boy bands.

Q: Why did you choose to be an entertainment journalist?

A: I never thought I would be covering entertainment, but I now couldn't imagine doing anything else. As a local who's a social butterfly, I've always known how to have fun and what to do in 772, so I'm an expert at entertainment. I'm glad we revamped the former features beat to give the people what they want: food and fun!

Q: What do you like most about covering entertainment?

A: Most people think my favorite part would be trying the food at new restaurants, but I don't get paid to eat like food reviewers do. I apply my hard news reporting experience to tell the story behind the story. My favorite new-restaurant stories have owners either from another country, bringing flavors from another culture, or from right here on the Treasure Coast.

Q: What is your most memorable story?

A: Most recently, I loved writing about pickleball. It's my latest obsession, so I had a vested interest to answer questions pickleball players have about where to play on the Treasure Coast. I enjoyed traveling across the Treasure Coast to look at pickleball courts and use my expertise to determine the pros and cons of each one. Watch for that story, which is scheduled to publish online April 15 and in print on April 21.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work?

A: I'm very active — I love to surf, mountain bike, snowboard and skateboard — so I exercise, lift weights and focus on nutrition. But I love food, going out to eat and trying new restaurants. My favorite things to do are going to concerts, hanging out with my nephews and niece, and traveling to national parks with my mom.

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.