Tod Inskip, a culinary content creator, Lylla Nha Vy, a passionate food enthusiast from Vietnam, and Jackie Gebel, a recipe expert, dive into the whirlwind of being content creators. They share their struggles with the pressure of viral trends and the disconnect from their own cooking habits when the cameras are off. Unique anecdotes highlight balancing indulgent culinary adventures with personal health, the financial realities of their craft, and a strong preference for authenticity over the term 'influencer.'
Food bloggers view their role as content creators focused on authenticity rather than the negative connotations of being labeled as influencers.
The demanding nature of food blogging leads to burnout, highlighting the importance of balance and breaks while pursuing culinary passions.
Deep dives
The Rise of Food Blogging
Food blogging has become a lucrative profession, with many individuals effortlessly turning their passion for food into a full-time career. Influencers and content creators have amassed significant followings across social media platforms, with some, like Todd, reaching over a million followers. They often create viral content by showcasing unique food combinations or sharing relatable food experiences, driving conversation and attracting millions of views. The success of food blogging is not just about the number of followers, but also the creativity in content production, paired with an authentic passion for culinary exploration.
Challenges in Authenticity and Reviews
While food bloggers are influential, many hesitate to label themselves as 'influencers' due to the term's negative connotations. The bloggers emphasize that their role is more about creating genuine content rather than merely influencing others' choices, often focusing on positive recommendations rather than bad reviews. They navigate the delicate balance of promoting restaurants while maintaining authenticity, acknowledging that a negative review could severely impact a business. Their approach is built on promoting local eateries, often at their own expense, to support the culinary community they cherish.
Navigating a Demanding Career
The demanding nature of food blogging can lead to burnout, as the need for consistent posting and engagement becomes overwhelming. Creators like Jackie and Leela share their struggles with maintaining a work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of taking breaks to avoid exhaustion. Despite these challenges, their passion for food drives them to continue exploring and sharing culinary experiences while finding joy in simplicity away from social media. They express a desire to keep this career long-term, fueled by their love for storytelling through food, even amidst its pressures.
Social media is awash with videos of people trying out new recipes at home and exploring the best hidden foodie gems in cities around the world.
The stream of content seems endless – so how do the people making these videos keep up?
Ruth Alexander speaks to three people in the UK, USA and Vietnam about having six meals before 10am, the relentless pressure to keep up with viral trends, and what they cook for themselves when the camera is off.
Tod Inskip, Lylla Nha Vy and Jackie Gebel share the highs and lows of being a “content creator” and why they don’t like the term influencer.
Presenter: Ruth Alexander
Producers: Hannah Bewley and Elisabeth Mahy
If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk
(Image: Lylla Nha Vy, Tod Inskip and Jackie Gebel. Credit: Composite BBC)
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode