TikTok Food
#foodtok #foodhacks #foodlovers
I now have four sources for inspiration. Cookbooks. Meals I have in restaurants or cafes where I live or travel. Food markets and talking to farmers. And TikTok.
Because on TikTok I can watch literally millions of everyday people reviewing meals and restaurants and food products from around the world. They take pictures and videos. They may be live, they certainly are timely and immediate. And I wonder, because most of my life I either relied on the Michelin Guide or articles by newspaper dining critics, all of which wielded a tower of power. They were the establishment view, and like establishment art critics, they chose what we should focus on and admire. I did. I loved driving through the Michelin stars in France. I hung on every word either Gael Greene or Patricia Wells wrote. I spent summers searching out the food destinations Patrica Wells wrote about in Food Lover’s Guide to France and in her Food Lover’s Guide to Paris. I loved every minute of that life.
But that life is fading and the colorful, riveting, cinematic world of food on TikTok is rapidly taking its place. We are not talking about food experts on TikTok. We are talking about regular people, citizen journalists, some of which have questionable taste. Obviously, you have to pick and choose who you follow for food advice on TikTok, but that’s half the experience because in doing that you are exposed to what the rest of the world is loving in food.
Let’s take a look at some of them:
The VIP List, @theviplist, 412K followers, 19.1M likes
Honestly? Their voices ruin it for me. But if you want to keep up to date with new restaurants and clubs in Florida and NYC, then jump on board. I also don’t resonate with their vibe, a fake rich-girl commentary with a negative slant, however the pix and video of food can work if you turn off the sound and just watch.
Keith Lee, @keith_lee125, 10.5M followers, 367.9 likes
Although the food Keith reviews is not always my taste, he’s one of the top food reviewers on TikTok. He celebrates small family-owned businesses, he taste tests their offerings, and he gives you his verdict. He’s a nice guy. I am addicted. He is so honest and transparent. No tap dancing. No fawning. No preaching. He unwraps, eats, and rates from 1 to 10. Good Morning America found him then the rest of the world did. Located in Las Vegas, he’s my go to if I ever go there. In the meantime, I follow him because I really like him.
How Kev Eats, @how.kev.eats, 2.9M followers, 153.76M likes
From burgers to Noma, Kev covers restaurants around the world, fast food, LA restaurants, and tells us his rating system is as follows: if he rates it between a 1.0 and 5.9, he did not enjoy it and would not go back; if he rates it between 6 and 6.9, happy he tried it but would not go back; between 7 and 7.9, it was good but he wouldn’t wait in line for it; 8 to 8.9 it was really good and would wait in line for it; 9 or above it is exceptional, would wait 45 minutes in line for it and definitely go back. So, just look at his reviews that rate 8 or above and skip the rest. Also, he leans heavily on reviewing burgers, pizza and wings, so not really my way of eating but he has a huge amount of loyal followers that do.
High Speed Dining, @highspeeddining, 933.2K followers, 26.6M likes
I really really really enjoy Joel Haas’ TikTok reviews. He concentrates on reviewing the top restaurants in the world, at this point 800+Michelin ones, and is always entertaining, always on point. And he’s quick. These reviews last only a few minutes but are well done video/stories. I can’t stop watching. Each is fascinating and detailed and sometimes funny, “I’ll eat caviar off my hand any day of the week!” This is a definite yes recommendation to understand how TikTok is disrupting the restaurant review world, and how well it can work. He pays for all his meals, and takes no free meals. His reviews are just like a friend sharing a meal with you. And he’s smart. And likable. Enjoy.
Do you have favorites you follow on TikTok for restaurant recommendations? Leave a comment below and let’s start the conversation!
So is TikTok the next Michelin, or this generation’s Michelin guide? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!!!! #michelin #forever
It is just a different channel. In a world of ever increasing channels, this is but one more. In fact, the Michelin Guide is on Instagram (@michelinguide) and has 2.7M followers, and you can follow #michelinstar on TikTok for reviews of Michelin restaurants.
However, for sheer economic reasons, TikTok has become the end-all arbiter of directing foot traffic to restaurants. The Washington Post wrote on October 31, 2022 that TikTok is the number 1 foot traffic converter for restaurants.
TikTok Food for Entertainment
As a food lover, cookbook writer, avid home cook, and food traveller, I find TikTok immensely entertaining. I follow a host of people sharing their recipes, their food travels, and food trends. For instance, consider this list of the top trending food searches on TikTok in January 2023:
cloud bread.
baked oats.
charcuterie boards.
pasta chips.
mug cake.
birria tacos.
pink sauce.
cinnamon rolls.
Sadly for me and others, TikTok may not be around for long if it is banned in the United States by the government, an action being debated. So as a hedge, many TikTokers, myself included, also have Instagram Reel accounts and are actively filling them with content. Let’s see where this goes?! And what is cloud bread? I’m going to go look it up on TikTok.
Good Reads, Good News:
How a Michelin Trained Chef Became a TikTok Star
U.S. Senator Josh Hawley Wants to Ban TikTok Nationwide
8 Food Creators You May be Missing on Instagram
Cookbook Review:
The Unofficial TikTok Cookbook by Valentina Mussi
Yup. Someone had to do it. Reverse engineering I say. It includes “75 of the most popular post-worthy, and fun recipes straight from TikTok”.
At first, I thought, no. But then when I read it, I got it. It is fun. And cute. And fun. It feels like a teen cookbook, but I am not a teen and it made me smile and actually want to play with some of the recipes.
TikTok is a petrie dish for everyone at every age, a place where creativity flourishes outside the bounds of conventional wisdom or historic precedence. So you will find recipes for air-fryer souffle pancakes, ice cream bread, a stuffed cookie skillet, even for my beloved aligot!!!! Even if some of the recipes did not immediately pull me in, enough of them gave me ideas and sparked a thought. Which I think is what a lot of TikTok food is about. #tiktokfood
The cookbook also provides information and tips how to make a food video for TikTok and how to make it go viral. That is not a promise, but suggested techniques. This is a great gift for teenagers and the young at heart.
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