As you scroll through social media, whether Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok, you will likely see a food content creator urging you to try out their recipe. 

If the view looks good, you stop because everything intrigues you. From how they chop their ingredients to their kitchen setup, and the stories they share. Everything looks fascinating to you. 

Suddenly, you realize that you can prepare various meals using various recipes. But you’re not sure you have everything to be a food creator. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to kickstart your journey as a food content creator; from understanding who a food content creator is to the essential tools in your content creator kit. 

But first, should you really become a food content creator?

Why Should You Become A Food Content Creator? 

Becoming a food content creator requires a great deal of consideration, as do other paths. You have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages to clearly understand what this journey entails.

However, the benefits make it a rewarding venture for those passionate about food and storytelling. Let’s break down these advantages into five solid points:

1. It’s a great way to earn money

While passion for food is often the driving force behind food content creation, it’s also possible to turn your hobby into a lucrative career. As your following grows, so do opportunities for monetization through brand partnerships, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing. 

2. It serves as a creative outlet

From developing unique recipes and styling visually stunning food photography to filming food documentaries, the possibilities are endless. As a food content creator, the sky is your limit when it comes to expressing your creativity while sharing your love for food with others.

3. It’s a great way to build community

One of the most gratifying aspects of being a food content creator is being able to connect with people who also love food from around the world. Through social media platforms and online communities, you can engage with fellow food enthusiasts, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships. That, in itself, comes with a sense of fulfilment. 

4. It helps establish your personal brand

Today, establishing a strong personal brand is essential for success as a content creator. Through consistent and authentic storytelling, you can carve out a niche for yourself in the competitive food content landscape. 

5. It’s a flexible career path

One of the biggest perks of being a food content creator is the flexibility it offers. You have the freedom to set your own schedule, work from anywhere, and pursue projects that align with your interests and values. Whether you prefer to film cooking tutorials in your kitchen or explore food markets around the world, you have the autonomy to design your career path.

Why You Shouldn’t Become A Food Content Creator 

As already implied, becoming a food content creator is hard work and particularly tasking, much like any other social media content creator path. While the benefits are enticing, it’s important to consider the potential challenges and drawbacks that come with this career.

1. It’s a time-consuming endeavour that requires a great deal of effort

From planning and preparation to shooting and editing, the process can be labour-intensive. Also, maintaining a consistent posting schedule and engaging with your audience requires ongoing commitment and dedication.

2. The food content creation landscape is highly competitive

Standing out in a niche that is saturated with creators vying for attention requires innovation, creativity, and a unique perspective. With algorithms and platforms changing every day, it can be twice as hard to reach and retain your desired audience.

3. The money can be slow to come

While there are opportunities to monetize as a food content creator, generating sustainable income can be challenging. Brands may expect creators to work for exposure or products rather than fair compensation, making it difficult to establish a profitable business model. 

4. A cycle of generating new content can lead to creative burnout

The pressure to produce viral-worthy content and keep up with trends can be overwhelming, causing fatigue and a general lack of inspiration. 

5. Collaborating with brands and sponsors comes with its own set of challenges

Brands may have specific expectations and guidelines, that could compromise your brand identity and limit creative freedom.

6. The cost of sourcing ingredients is high

One of the significant expenses for food content creators is sourcing ingredients. As Chef T (Diary of a Kitchen Lover) once mentioned, expenses for foodstuffs/ingredients can skyrocket, sometimes doubling within a year. This increase in expenses, often necessary for creating diverse and engaging content, can strain financial resources and make it difficult to maintain profitability. 

How To Become A Food Content Creator

Now that you have weighed the advantages and disadvantages, you are well on your way to creating a brand for yourself as a food content creator. Here are the steps you need to take: 

1. Start where you are

Chef Ify (Ify’s Kitchen) once shared a grainy throwback video from when she started as a food content creator. Despite the initial quality limitations, her dedication and passion propelled her forward.

Today, her expertly edited and captivating videos amassed over 30k views on social media, with over 500k subscribers on her YouTube channel. This goes to show that all you have to do is start. As you grow, you can now begin to invest in better equipment and refine your skills to take your content to the next level. 

2. Invest in a content creator kit

When starting, you can begin with simple tools like your phone and your tripod in your content creator kit. However, as you grow into a bigger content creator, these tools become essential for enhancing the quality and professionalism of your content.

• Camera: A high-quality camera is important for capturing crisp images and videos. Consider investing in a DSLR camera or a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses for maximum versatility. These cameras offer superior image quality, manual controls, and the ability to adapt to different shooting conditions.

• Tripod: When it comes to filming cooking tutorials or capturing overhead shots of food, you need a sturdy tripod. Look for a tripod with adjustable height and angles to achieve the perfect direction for your content.

• Lighting equipment: Good lighting is important for creating visually appealing content. Invest in lighting equipment such as softbox lights or LED panels to make your scenes even and take out harsh shadows that impair the quality of your videos. 

• Microphone: Clear audio is just as important as high-quality visuals. A good-quality microphone creates crisp and clear sound, especially when filming cooking demonstrations or voiceovers. Depending on the food content creator niche you decide on, getting a shotgun microphone or lapel microphone for optimal audio recording quality will go a long way.

• Editing software: Post-production is where you bring your content to life. Professional editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro for video editing, and Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop for photo editing allow you to improve your content with effects, transitions, color grading, and more, resulting in a more polished and professional-looking output.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned content creator, having the right equipment is the key to producing outstanding content that sets you apart from your peers.

LEARN: 10 Best Software & Tools for Easy Content Creation (Beginner Toolkit)

3. Develop your unique voice

In a crowded digital space, authenticity is key to standing out. Develop your unique voice and style that resonates with your audience. Whether you’re witty, informative, or insightful, let your personality shine through in your content. This will help you forge genuine connections with your audience and keep them coming back for more.

Your voice will shine through your content style which plays an important role in defining your identity as a food content creator. Take, for example, Opeyemi Fayakin, known for his critiques of food restaurants. His blunt approach has garnered a loyal following who value his opinions. 

On the other hand, food content creator, Bukie Akinmade, The Kitchen Muse has carved a niche for herself with her tasty recipes and quick kitchen tips and tricks. Her warm and inviting demeanour makes viewers feel like they’re cooking alongside a friend in their kitchen. 

Similarly, Joann Nordiana has found success with her mukbang content, where she shares what she eats in a day and sometimes videos of her eating. Her laid-back and relatable style has endeared her to over 80k followers on Tiktok. 

These examples highlight how your content style can be the centrepiece of your identity as a food content creator. By staying true to yourself and showcasing your unique perspective, you can carve out a space for yourself in the competitive world of digital content creation.

READ: Building a Personal Brand: Tools, Examples and Strategies

4. Create engaging content

Focus on creating content that is not only visually appealing but also informative and engaging. In a world where multiple social media content creators exist online, you want to occupy your niche. Experiment with different formats, such as recipe videos, cooking tutorials, behind-the-scenes shots, and Q&A sessions. Keep your content fresh, and be ready to vary it to maintain the interest of your audience.

LEARN: A Beginner’s Guide to Crafting Compelling Social Media Posts

5. Build your online presence

To succeed as a food content creator, you need to build a strong online presence across various platforms. TikTok is a great place to build a presence on social media as a food content creator but other platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook also work. Post content as often as possible to engage with your audience. Collaborate with other creators, participate in food-related communities, and leverage hashtags to expand your reach.

Prominent Food Content Creators + Lessons to Learn

As an aspiring food content creator, you can draw inspiration from the journeys of successful creators who have left their mark in the industry. Here are some notable examples:

Chef Ify: Chef Ify‘s story is a shining example of the power of persistence in the world of food content creation. Some weeks ago, she shared a throwback video that captured her humble beginnings as a food content creator.

Despite the initial quality limitations and the uncertainties that come with starting something new, Chef Ify held onto her passion for cooking and sharing her culinary creations with the world. Over time, her dedication and perseverance paid off, as her videos gained traction and her audience began to grow.

Today, Chef Ify’s expertly crafted and captivating content garners hundreds of thousands of views on social media, showcasing the remarkable progress she has made through sheer persistence and determination. Her story reminds us that success rarely happens overnight; it’s the result of consistent effort, patience, and a willingness to keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles in our path.

Hilda Baci: Hilda Baci‘s story is a testament to the power of resilience in the world of food content creation. After building a significant audience, she embarked on an ambitious challenge to break the Guinness World Record for the longest hours of cooking nonstop – and she succeeded. But her success didn’t come overnight.

Before attempting this monumental feat, Hilda dedicated months to training her body and mind to endure the physical and mental demands of cooking for an extended period. Her determination, coupled with her willingness to push past her limits, ultimately led her to set a new record, clocking an impressive time of 93 hours and 11 minutes.

Chef T: Chef T‘s journey serves as a prime example of how seizing opportunities can lead to exciting advancements in the food industry. Starting as a food content creator, Chef T’s passion for cooking and her engaging personality quickly caught the attention of brands and media outlets.

Through her hard work and dedication, Chef T has evolved from a content creator to a sought-after brand ambassador and a host of her food TV show. She also nurses a community of over 100 thousand people whom she calls her besties. Her journey underscores the importance of staying true to your craft, engaging your audience, and cultivating relationships within the industry. 

TSpices Kitchen: TSpices Kitchen‘s story exemplifies the power of creativity and resourcefulness in the world of food content creation. Starting with limited resources and a passion for cooking, TSpices Kitchen set out to share her love for food with a growing audience.

Her messaging encourages viewers to use whatever they have available to recreate her recipes and today, TSpices Kitchen has built a brand with over 100k followers. Her story serves as an inspiring reminder that success is not determined by the tools we have at our disposal, but by our ability to think creatively, adapt to challenges, and continually find new ways to connect with our audience.

Becoming a food content creator offers a unique opportunity to combine your passion for food with your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Following the steps outlined in this guide and staying committed to your craft, you can carve out a successful career as a food content creator. Additionally, selling your products on Selar can help you expand your audience and make your content accessible to people around the globe.

Starting with Selar is free and easy. All you have to do is sign up and upload your products.