Bel Air Food Queen Serves Up Reviews, Freebies To Followers

BEL AIR, MD — A Bel Air schoolteacher has a second passion: food. She has taken her love of food to Instagram, where she is reviewing her delicious discoveries.

Foodies and local businesses are taking note of Michelle Leann Miller, 26, who describes herself as a "food queen." Recently, she added giveaways to her repertoire.

In January, she offered up a gift card to Fallston Seafood.

This week, she hosted an Instagram contest for a free Valentine's Day dinner at By the Docks in Middle River.

Her Instagram journey started at By the Docks, where she said she fell in love with a crab cake and was inspired to write about it, rating her experience 12 out of 10.

With that, her Instagram handle Food1to12 was born.

"I had no idea something could be above a 10," she wrote in her first post. "Reasoning: This jumbo lump crab cake is the biggest I’ve seen yet in Maryland. This is a crab lover's dream. It tastes like a crab without the shell, and there was no filler in the cake."

Miller is a first-grade teacher at Bel Air Elementary School, where she has also taught second and third grades. Her students have surprised her with delicious treats, for holidays or just because.

"Not only do I love food, but I can eat a ton of food, and people are impressed or disgusted by the amount I eat!" she said. "Eating food is my favorite hobby, and I believe food promotes happiness." It also encourages people to come together, she added.

To make it onto Food1to12, foods must be more than "Insta worthy" — that is, they don't just look good.

"I decide to post based on food that should be shared with the world," Miller said, "and I always stay true to my ratings."

A rose-shaped caramel apple tart from Brookside Market in Phoenix was a “piece of heaven,” she posted on Food1to12, writing: “Even if you don’t like apple pie, you need to try this! I could hear the crisp, flaky crust as my fork cut into this piece of heaven. The apple taste on the inside was gooey, soft and refreshing. This dessert was beautiful — inside and out! This restaurant knows how to make someone’s heart and stomach full.” The rating: 12/10.

Since Jan. 1, Miller has gained more than 4,000 Instagram followers. She attributes the rise in popularity to the bonds she creates with people, places and food on Food1to12.

Last August she was the first person to try the Fat Boy Burger at Fallston Seafood Restaurant, where she has been a server during the summers since she was 16.

For the most part, she said, she takes her own pictures, unless she has a friend with her, and she wants to be in the shot too.

In 2019, she plans to host monthly contests to give more exposure to local eateries.

"I approached food places in the beginning about my contests and postings," she said. "Now, places are approaching me, and I couldn’t be happier!"

On Monday she randomly selected the winner of a complimentary Valentine's Day dinner at By the Docks. The package included a bottle of wine, appetizer, two entrees and two desserts. She said the winner, Jace Costa, gave the prize to a friend and his friend's girlfriend.

"I think it’s wonderful that people are so thoughtful," Miller said.

Her thoughtfulness is part of what drove her to begin her food-themed Instagram blog in the first place.

“I understand how difficult it can be for places to get noticed but would love to give back!” said Miller. "Becoming a 'food queen' has been one of the most magical experiences."

After teaching and food, another passion she has is travel.

"I love to travel, and I try to travel any chance I can when I’m not teaching my above and beyond students," Miller said.

In Chicago, she sank her teeth into this deep-dish pizza, which she said had one of the best sauces she's ever had and was so filling that she could only eat two pieces, rather than her usual six.

"Trying food from new places is a dream for me, and I want to share my dreams with the world," Miller said. "I’ve been so excited during this journey, and I am thrilled to see where it ends up!"

More About Michelle

Instagram handle: Food1to12

Her goal: "Let others know about food places in a fun way!"

Favorite food: Steamed crabs. "Shout-out to pastas, all seafood, BBQ, pizza, and crab dip being runner-ups," she said.

Photo of Michelle Leanne Miller by Drew Brown at By the Docks in Middle River.