Here’s a paradox for you: I can’t taste or smell, yet I’ve just launched a social platform for foodies and food reviews. Welcome to One Bite Foodie, where I, Joseph Haecker, a guy who can’t enjoy the actual smells and flavors of food, have created a space for people who live for them! It sounds wild, but losing two senses didn’t stop me from loving the experience of food—and in many ways, it’s helped me dive even deeper into what makes a dish unforgettable.

Let me take you back to the beginning. My love for food started young—space camp, of all places. When I was eight years old, my parents sent me to space camp at the JPL Laboratories in Pasadena California, where a bunch of wide-eyed kids, myself included, learning how to cook hotdogs with a solar BBQ, made out of cardboard and aluminum foil. That was my first real hands-on experience mixing science and cooking...and I was hooked! Around the same time, back at Robert Luis Stevenson Elementary School, I had a classmate from Argentina who brought homemade empanadas to a cultural potluck. That was the first time I tasted something exotic, that felt like it had a come from a far away land, and a story behind it—and let me tell you, that left a lasting impression on my little childhood imagination.

Now, to be clear, my parents weren't exactly adventurous in the kitchen. Growing up, my Abuela and several of my tias, would spend days and weeks preparing tamales for Christmas, filling my grandparents home with authentic smells from homemade Mexican foods and deserts. On my Father's side, my grandmother was famous for her Italian meals. But my mother and stepfather didn't get that same gene. Every Thanksgiving, it was the same deal—turkey with garlic and butter. Simple, traditional, and safe.

But that wasn’t my style. When I got older and started doing Thanksgiving myself, I turned the whole thing on its head. I couldn't get enough flavor and contrast in my own cooking. I made Thanksgiving meals a form of exploration from. Cajun-themed, to white wine and green apples, or even a full-on Santa Fe-inspired dinner where every dish drew inspiration from the Southwest—if it was on the table, it had to completely fit the vibe.

High school? That’s when I realized food wasn’t just fuel—it could be fun (and get me out of class). I had Home Ec first period, and when the teacher gave us the green light to bring our own ingredients, I saw a golden opportunity. I started bringing in enough to cook breakfast for not just my class, but some of the school staff and administration too! And yeah, I’d disappear to deliver food to everyone, and not quite make it back to class...But, I did learn a skill that has defined who I am today: Networking!

As I got older and had kids, I made it a point to cook for them from scratch. No shortcuts. For years, we were the “home-cooked meals only” family. Even when we’d sneak in fast food, I made sure my kids grew up understanding the value of real food. Their friends? I cooked for them too. We had an open door policy, and I loved whipping up a meal for the kids and their friends anytime, day or night. I loved it!

Once, a girlfriend and I, were on our way to dinner, dropping my kids off at a friend’s house, and the mom was struggling to cook a tube steak she had picked up and had no idea what to do with. Next thing I knew, I was raiding her kitchen, whipping up a meal from random ingredients that were hidding in her pantry. That’s the thing—I don’t need an excuse to cook, and I don't even need to be the one to eat the finished result...I just enjoy cooking for others.

Then, COVID hit. April 2021. My taste and smell? Gone. I was in Vegas for an event, and three of the four of us came home with COVID. One day, I was eating chili, and halfway through, because of COVID, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. When I woke up, to finish off my half eaten bowl of chili, the rest of the bowl tasted like sand—grainy, flavorless, nothing! A few days later, walking into my apartment with a GrubHub order, it hit me—I couldn’t smell the candles or the essential oils that used to fill my studio apartment. That’s when it all sunk in...I had lost both my taste and my smell!

I tried everything to get it back—saw doctors, specialists, even a smell therapist. Nine months later, my naturopath, with no options left, just flat out asked if I’d gotten the latest vaccine...My NATUROPATH!!!

Spoiler: I still can’t taste or smell, but here’s the twist—life went on, and so did my passion for food.

I’ve been a digital nomad since 2017, traveling the world, diving into street food in places like Mexico, China, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines. Even without taste or smell, I found myself focused on something new: texture.

These days, when I describe food, it’s all about the contrast between salty and sweet, crunchy and tender. I’ve learned to appreciate the sensation of food in a whole new way.

Fun Fact: Strangely enough, I can still kinda taste the unique sweetness of apples—they’re the one thing that almost breaks through the fog.

What excites me most about One Bite Foodie? It’s not just about me. It’s about creating a platform where people who love food can share their experiences and help local businesses thrive. I’ve always admired small business owners—it’s hard enough to make a living as an employee, but if you’re the boss, you’re not just making your own paycheck, you’re making sure everyone else gets theirs too. That’s incredible.

I’m incredibly passionate about One Bite Foodie because it’s not just another food review platform—it’s a chance for food lovers and local businesses to truly connect and thrive together. For our foodies, it offers a way to share their passion for exploring new flavors, textures, and experiences, while also earning some money doing what they love. It’s about celebrating the journey of discovery, whether you’re diving into the best taco joint on the block or uncovering hidden gems around the world.

For the businesses, especially the small, local ones, One Bite Foodie gives them a voice and visibility in a crowded market. We’ve built tools that help them drive traffic and showcase what makes their food special, whether it’s a hole-in-the-wall with unbeatable flavors or a high-end restaurant that people need to know about. It’s a win-win: foodies get to share their love of great food, and businesses get the exposure they deserve, boosting their revenue and reputation.

At its core, One Bite Foodie is about building a community where the love of food brings people together, and that’s something I’m incredibly excited to be a part of. With One Bite Foodie, I’m living vicariously through the reviews, but I’m also building a tool that can help boost traffic for small businesses. I’ve found a way to turn my lost senses into something meaningful—to help others benefit.

Stay tuned, because I’ve got more stories to share, and I’ll be working on a book soon. But for now, I’ll be using One Bite Foodie to keep the conversation going.

And, in the immortal words of Anthony Bourdain:

"Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o'clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you've never been."

And I'll add to that:

"Share your food story with someone new. You never know the impact that it will make on someone you may never meet again."

- Joseph Haecker, "The Three Senses Foodie"

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A Foodie's Irony

I Can't Taste or Smell—But I Launched a Food Review Platform