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Who is a Food Stylist?
If you’re afraid of butter, use cream ~ Julia Child
Have you ever seen the food platters beautifully arranged in a way that brings water to your mouth? A culinary art specialist who is in the profession of arranging food items in a presentable way is known as a food stylist. He or she makes fine dining establishments in such a way that it looks marvellous and capture the eyeballs. In this article, we will discuss how to become a Food Stylist in India, Food Stylist roles and responsibilities, Food Stylist skills, Food Stylist qualifications, Food Stylist eligibility, Food stylist job description and food stylist work environment.
Food Stylist in a Nutshell
A food stylist is a culinary art specialist who is responsible for making the food look arranged in a presentable way decked up with accessories for a close shot. He or she works with chefs, photographers and editors.
Quick Facts for Food Stylist
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Industry
Hospitality
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Average Salary in India
₹27500
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A career as a food stylist is suitable for everyone regardless of gender. Whether a person is male, female or belongs to any other gender can become a food stylist.
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Any special needs
No
A career as a food stylist is not suitable for individuals with special needs. It demands them to be creative and make enticing arrangements of food items decorated on platters using ideas that fetch the attention of the viewer and develop an urge to taste the food.
Table of Contents for Food Stylist
What is the role of Food Stylist?
Are you thinking what are the Food Stylist roles and responsibilities or Food Stylist job description then in this section, we have discussed all your doubts. A food stylist arranges food in a creative style to click its close-up shot. He or she chooses accessories for the first shot. A food stylist works in close contact with chefs, photographers and editors. A food stylist may also serve as a food photographer. He selects the accessories for taking the first shot before making the food arrangement. A food stylist selects tablecloths, plates and placemats. He or she selects those accessories that complement the food.
Styling
A food stylist is responsible for adding style to food items for photography and videography. He or she makes it look marvellous and tasty with beautiful yet enticing arrangements.
Maintenance
A food stylist job comes with the responsibility of maintenance and cleanliness of the test kitchen or demonstration area for cooking equipment and utensils.
Consulting
The Food Stylist roles and responsibilities are to consult with marketing as well as food production staff concerning the food items or which food recipes should be prepared for presentation or photography.
Props Arrangement
The food stylist job description includes planning a shoot, a food stylist has to arrange all the props and accessories required in the food photography and videography to make it presentable by utilising silverware, plates and fabrics for food.
Food Arrangement
The role of a food stylist is responsible for purchasing food ingredients, food items or recipe items required for presentation. While conducting live demonstrations, he or she has to organise supplies and ingredients by himself or herself.
Types of a Food Stylist
The food styling varies depending on the type of media platforms where it is going to be showcased or exposed to viewers. We have listed below several types of food stylist or food stylist career options depending on their area of specialisation.
Editorial Food Stylist: An editorial food stylist clicks food photographs that are represented in cookbooks, recipe books, newspapers, magazines and other editorials. It mainly involves photography that demonstrates the recipe, raw ingredients and other cooking products.
Advertising Food Stylist: A food stylist who works with advertising agencies or marketing teams is an advertising food stylist. He or she has to understand the requirements of clients and usually gets a brief from him or her. He or she uses the recommended colour, prop and visuals as per the storyboard.
Web Food Stylist: A food stylist who does the work of styling food items for their representation on websites, blogs and e-books could be considered a web food stylist. He or she usually does not require too many props or lightning. Natural light is mostly preferred by them for its simple set-up. Read the entire article to know more about how to become a Food Stylist in India.
What is the workplace/work environment of Food Stylist like?
A food stylist works in all types of fine dining establishments such as hotels, restaurants and food studios. He or she has to arrange props such as lights, lenses, and cameras to capture the food items and recipes. He or she ensures it looks representable by adding style with the use of various accessories such as glassware, silverware, table cloths and plates.
Does Food Stylist require travelling?
Likely
A food stylist has to arrange props and accessories for food styling and representation. He or she often required to purchase the food ingredients and items used in the recipe. Many such tasks require short-distance frequent travel.
Employment Shifts
Full Time, Part Time
A food stylist usually works from morning to evening. He or she is required to represent food items and arrange them with accessories such as silverware, tablecloths, plates and other items that look marvellous to capture the gaze of viewers.
Employment Nature
Contractual, Permanent
A food stylist is usually hired by restaurants, food cafes, food processing and manufacturing companies on a contract basis depending on the need of the assignment. He or she may find permanent opportunities for working with an advertising agency as well as food studios.
Work Place
Restaurants, Hotel, Food Cafe, Food Studio
A food stylist can work outdoors as well as indoors. His or her works demand manual dexterity, artistic skills and knowledge of food ingredients and recipes as well as photography skills. He or she is responsible for styling the food and capturing it.
Presence in Geographical Area
Urban
A food stylist career gets the right opportunity where there is a concentration in the food industry. Metro cities, where people from all parts of the country come for study, employment or other such activities are concentrated with food entities such as restaurants, food cafes and studios. These cities include Jaipur, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and Pune.
Time Pressure
Likely
A career as a food stylist demands lifting, carrying, shoving, pulling, standing, sitting and crouching to click the best photographs of the food items. One needs to arrange the props and accessories required for a shoot before planning it. Hence, there is time pressure to make arrangements and organise the demonstration area.
Overtime Details
A food stylist is often required to work overtime when there is a deadline. He or she has to finish the shoot to get photographs published in the newspaper, magazines or websites.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 40 Hours
Work hours depend on the number of assignments based on recipes and food items need to be styled and represented for capturing the numerous clicks to get the best out of it.
How to become a Food Stylist?
Steps to become a Food Stylist
If you are someone who loves to display or serve food in a creative way for photo or video shoots and want to take it as a profession then a career as a Food Stylist is the best option for you. If you are someone who would love to prepare, plate and arrange food for aesthetic purposes and looking for how to become a Food Stylist in India then we have mentioned below the steps for how to become a Food Stylist in India.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Food Stylist?
Do you know about the essential requirements to become a food stylist? We have provided below a list of food stylist skills required in day-to-day tasks. One must acquire these skills in order to become a successful food stylist.
Knowledge of Colors: A food stylist must possess knowledge of colours. He or she must know what it takes to make food appear ready to taste in photographs and videos. He or she must know which colour accessories complement the colour of the food item.
Chemistry Skills: Knowledge of chemicals to be used in food items to make them look presentable is crucial for the role of food stylists. He or she often requires concocting props or fake food for good visuals. A food stylist must know how long the food items can survive in a warm temperature that needs to be refrigerated.
Photography Skills: It is most crucial for the role of a food stylist. A food stylist is required to take close shots of food items. He or she must know the camera angles and rules of photography to capture it for marketing purposes.
Organising Skills: A career as a food stylist demands to be organised. He or she has to multitask before planning the shoot. It involves arranging props and accessories required in the shoot, organising the demonstration area and numerous other tasks.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Food Stylist?
We have listed below several certification courses that aspiring individuals may opt to upgrade their knowledge of the food processing sector.
Internship Availability
One can find food styling internships at food studios, restaurants and other fine dining establishments. A food stylist intern is often assigned with several responsibilities such as organising the prop room. He or she provides assistance in prop returns and recommends as well as implements the storage solutions. A food stylist intern provides support in upcoming shoots. He or she researches, runs errands, pulls props, creates backgrounds and provides assistance on sets.
Career Path Progression for Food Stylist
We have provided below a food stylist career list that individuals opt for while progressing through their career as a food stylist.
Junior Food Stylist: A junior food stylist is responsible for providing assistance to the senior food stylist. He or she researches on ideas for styling food items and colours to be added to make them more appealing.
Senior Food Stylist: A senior food stylist is responsible for heading a team of food stylists and staff. He or she has to coordinate and assign responsibilities to junior food stylists.
Food Stylist Jobs and Salaries
Junior Food Stylist
- Average Salary 15000
Job Description
A junior food stylist provides assistance in the arrangement of props and accessories such as plates, silverware, table cloth and other things including food ingredients used in decorating food items.
Salary Description
A junior food stylist could earn Rs. 15000 per month. He or she is required to gain more experience to take up the senior roles that come with numerous responsibilities and better pay.
Senior Food Stylist
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 40000
Job Description
A senior food stylist works in close contact with chefs, the marketing team, editors and photographers. He or she determines which props are required selects accessories that complement the food items and styles them.
Salary Description
A senior food stylist could earn anything between Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000. He or she can also work independently and take assignments on a freelance basis.
What is the job outlook for Food Stylist?
One needs to start as a traditional cook or chef and climb up the ladder to become a food stylist. Aspiring individuals are required to acquire experience in various types of fine dining establishments to become food stylists. A good portfolio attracts more opportunities for a food stylist to take on clients. Several food stylists work as freelancers while several are hired as in-house food stylists. Restaurants may hire a food stylist to make enticing arrangements for the display pictures on the menu. Several advertising agencies that work for food companies hire food stylists. Read further to know how to become a Food Stylist in India.
Frequently Asked Questions for Food Stylist
Que. What is the minimum required education needed to become a food stylist?
Ans.In order to become a food stylist one must complete class 10 and possess a diploma in culinary arts or hospitality.
Que. What are the skills of food stylist?
Ans.Food Stylist Skills: knowledge of colours, organisational skills, manual dexterity, physical strength and photography skills.
Que. What is the average salary of food stylist?
Ans.The average salary of food stylist in India is Rs. 17015, according to Glassdoor.
Que. How long does it take to become a food stylist?
Ans.To become a Food Stylist it will take four to six years if you are opting for a formal degree.
Que. What qualities do you need to be a food stylist?
Ans.To become a Food Stylist you need to have some of the relevant skills and qualities such as Culinary, Photo Shoots, Food Preparation, Recipe Development, Test Kitchen, Food Safety, Food Products, Style Food and Cooking Techniques, Creativity, Communication Skills and Decision-Making Skills.
Que. How many hours does a food stylist work?
Ans.A Food Stylist is required to work for 6-8 hours with the fixed working hours.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
To keep food from rolling or tipping away, putty or wax is placed between a hard surface and food.
Fact 2
Faux ice cubes are used in drinks and shrimp cocktail as they don’t melt in warm environments.
Fact 3
Dye and paint is brushed on prepared food to give it a better color and outlook for styling.
Fact 4
Motor oil replaces the pancake syrup for taking nice photographs of food representation.
Fact 5
A fast drying glue is often used to assemble crumbled food.
