"I don't earn money from this "job," which is why I'm not sure I should be classifying it as a business, from the articles I've read. My intent is not to earn a profit, and I don't."
As stated above in a previous answer, there used to be a provision to deduct 100% business meals, but that is no longer the case. Be sure any reference source is the IRS itself, since there is much disinformation on the internet. One such expert in a food blog states that they are 100% deductible for a food critic "in my view". He offers no substantiation.
Please see the following sources from the IRS.
Code 274
