Instagram, especially Instagram IGTV is packed with food bloggers and vloggers. Until a few years back, television was the only medium to telecast cookery shows and those were mostly watched by housewives. Today, Instagram is most popular among youngsters who are creative, passionate and up to date when it comes to culinary skills. The evolution of culinary interest among teenagers is absolutely surprising and the social media plays a very important role here. Instagram has taken cookery skills, photography, videography and content writing to the next level and unlocked doors for many food bloggers.
You may or may not know cooking but watching the method of cooking is always gratifying. It’s always a pleasure to watch the vibrant hues of the vegetables, the popping mustard seeds, the blend of exotic spices and the rise of papad as it surges in the hot oil. Even if you are an expert cook, you can still follow these Insta food bloggers to learn the new way of preparing and presenting the same old Sambar and Idly. Also these millennial bloggers showcase the best cuisines from various hotels and restaurants. Meet top five Instagram food bloggers from Chennai to know more about their gourmet world.
Text: Vinitha Venkatesha
Bloggers: Govardhan
How long have you been operating this handle?
It’s been two years since I started this food blog in Instagram & YouTube simultaneously but the primary reason to start Insta account was to get more followers in YouTube.
What is the inspiration for a shot?
My father was a textile agent who used to travel all over India and he was my inspiration. I decided to travel and explore various cuisines across India.
Why food?
I wanted to tell my followers about every new variety of food cuisines and how I explore them. This is the main reason why I started this blog. I just travel for food and I have been doing this for the past 15 years before even blogging.
Are you able to monetize your account? What are your client requirements?
No. I do it for my passion and definitely not for money as otherwise the reviews will not be honest. I usually don’t make money out of blogging.
How do you plan the shot? Do you shoot? Or do you have a photographer and a team? Tell us about some interesting experiences while shooting pictures.
I don’t have any team for photography or videography but I learnt more about photography. Food is what I love most so I have put in all my efforts to give my best. I don’t edit my photos in so that it doesn’t lose the originality and that’s my personal goal. Whenever I receive an invite from the restaurant I research about the place – quality, kind of food available (menu) and I avoid the regular dishes and always look for unique and new dishes. I use POCO F1 to do my shoot.
How receptive are brands and restaurants to your ideas now as opposed to when you started?
There are both advantages and disadvantages in food blogging. Some restaurants invite us to taste the food and blog about them while some vendors like street food stalls don’t understand the concept of food blogging and say no to photos or videos and some also get scared that we may charge money for reviewing their place. In such situations we explain the concept of food blogging in order to get what we want.
Micro bloggers in other cities vs. Chennai – what are the opportunities and what do you miss?
Other cities have fewer restaurants compared to Chennai and the monetary opportunities are high when it comes to blogging. Cities like Madurai, Pondicherry and Coimbatore have more of street food vendors and making a revenue out of blogging is a little hard. Fortunately food blogging is a passion for me and I tie up my revenue goals with YouTube page and not with Insta.
Approximate revenue you earn through your handle?
Till date I have got 20 dollars through YouTube.
Who is your role model?
No one in particular.
Insta page: https://instagram.com/searchingsamayal_foodie?igshid=6ivkhiutybwy
YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCgs4fzwPRGHT3X6O18GaFJg
