History
Since starting 15 years ago First Press has raised the visibility of consumer and commercial kitchen appliance companies, helped earn industry honors for elite chefs and restaurants, organized wine consortium market visits, and brought attention to culinary non-profits. In short, we’ve touched every corner of the food and beverage world.
Get in touch
We are always excited to learn about new and upcoming projects in the food, beverage, hospitality and appliance space.
contact us here
Our Team
Founder & CEO
Benjamin Schmerler
Ben Schmerler has twenty years of experience writing about and consulting for high-quality food and beverage businesses: as a Senior Editor at Zagat, freelance food writer, and later as the co-founder of First Press.
He has counseled businesses ranging from Murray’s Cheese, the Napa Valley Vintners, and Hot Bread Kitchen to Ample Hills Creamery, Breville, and acclaimed restaurants Betony and Aquavit.
When not at work, he can often be found in his home kitchen striving to prepare food that impresses his wife and daughter.
Director of Marketing and Social Media
Brittany Ramaglia
Since graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in Journalism and Media Studies in 2014, Brittany has built a career in communications and marketing that has spanned a variety of fields including food, beverage, agriculture, and broadcast media. Brittany enjoys the creative aspect of the work, specializing in visual storytelling through video production and graphic design to create effective marketing strategies in the fast-paced social media landscape.
Outside of working hours, Brittany spends her time writing, recording and performing music with her band.
PR and Marketing Coordinator
Rachel Mikita
Rachel is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College where she studied writing (poetry & non-fiction), agriculture, and anthropology. Her interest in food has led her to working on dairy goat farms, permaculture farms, a cheese shop in Brooklyn, and finally in food & beverage communications.
In her free time, you can find her infusing vodka, birdwatching, and writing.