Food Stylist Presented by Jennifer Brent

What is a Food Stylist? • “A food stylist is someone who makes food for the camera –

often not edible. It is built to look it’s best.” This is according to Denise Vivaldo, who is the author of The Food Stylist’s Handbook.

• Afood stylist is “a person whose job is to arrange food in an attractive way for professional photographs for magazines or cookery books or television broadcasts.” (Pulled from Dictionary.com)

Training for Food Stylist • Culinary Training Required

–Helps with having knowledge of the movement and texture or food

• Photography skills

– Knowledge of lighting and color balance is really important

• Design skills

–Arrangement in a way that looks appealing is also key!

Tips and Tricks to Succeed! • Many food stylists use inedible items in their presented foods

to give the desired color and texture to their finished products.

– Motor oil is often used in the place of maple syrup for pancakes for the color and texture.

– White glue is a substitute for milk. It helps keep the cereal less soggy, and gives for better, thicker consistency.

– Clear acrylic is used to replace ice cubes since they are less messy and don’t melt.

– Dyes and paints, such as wood stains, are used on a finished product for better color.

Denise Vivaldo • 10+ years as a chef

• Was introduced into Food Stylist industry through her work for television.

• She is also an author of many books. She recommends her best selling book The Food Stylist Handbook.

• She works in a test kitchen and studio that she built.

– Her work week usually consists of her developing new recipes in these two locations.

• She has supported herself for 30 years and has several assistants.

– She considers this her biggest achievement.

Salary • According to “The Art Career Project Website”,

most food stylists make an average salary of $40,000. –This is taken from Bureau of Labor Statistics in

“special food services”.

• According to Denise, if you are an established stylist, you can make between $75,000-$100,000. –You need to be great at marketing yourself and have

really good knowledge of sales.

Where to Find Employment • Most food stylists live in Los Angeles.

• Many work for television – commercials and television programs, magazines, cookery books, etc.

• Denise has worked for the following companies as a food stylist for photography: Sunkist, Nutrisystem, Disney, Bristol Farms, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Vons, Costco, Fresh and Easy, and many more!

• She’s helped create dozens of cookbooks such as Skinny Bitch: Vegan and Hey, Mom! I’m Hungry.

Recommended Websites • Denise Vivaldo

–http://www.denisevivaldo.com/

–http://www.denisevivaldogroup.com/

• Starr Cornwall

–http://www.chefstarrcornwall.com/

• Sienna Degovia

–http://siennacake.com/