Hey readers! Mandy here with the HOTTEST tea on the food influencer scene that’s absolutely sizzling in 2025! If you’re not following these most popular food influencers yet, you’re seriously missing out on some major culinary inspiration. So let’s get into it then, the food content world that has taken over, along with how to revolutionize how you live, cook and devour food!
The Evolution of Food Influencers in 2025
The most popular food influencers in 2025 have transformed from simple recipe sharers to full-blown culinary visionaries and trendsetters. Things have changed a lot when it comes to food influencing since the Instagram early days of restaurants snaps. Content today’s food creators create compelling stories with their content along with using visually appealing presentation. They did not only recommend restaurants or put pretty plate anymore…but they now are doing a movement out of culinary world!
The thing that makes the most popular food influencers in 2025 is that they find a way to bring together creativity with authenticity; and be at the forefront of latest tech including AI assisted recipe development to even immersive food experiences. Innovating in a culinary space that can be quite strict, they are redefining trends by combining traditional techniques with modern creativity so they can cater to the growing preference for plant based, keto and sustainable eating.
The Plant-Based Revolutionaries
Leading the plant-based movement, these most popular food influencers are showing us that vegan food is anything but boring:
Carleigh Bodrug – Plant You
By 2025 Carleigh has over 6 million followers across platforms and is the queen of sustainable, zero waste vegan cooking. With Plant You, creator Carleigh is a plant-based, zero-waste chef focusing on zero waste, plant based recipes and all things living ‘greener.’ Her recipe has been featured in her NY Times bestselling cookbook and more recently collaborated with Benny Blanco on the hot track ‘Open Wide’ which has solidified her status as one of the biggest food influencers in the plant-based space.
It’s what makes Carleigh special, her ability to turn simple, meat replace ingredients into things that make the most dedicated of meat eaters crave them. She’s been particularly groundbreaking with her “veganize anything” series which in 2025 showed followers how to make their favourite comfort foods with plant based ingredients.
Danielle Brown – HealthyGirl Kitchen
Because of her laid back and simply approach to vegan cooking, Danielle’s content has been particularly easy to follow for beginners. As the founder of HealthyGirl Kitchen, Danielle creates easy, plant based recipes to share across platforms, with almost three million followers on TikTok where her easy, vegan cooking videos have proven popular.
Not only has her 2025 “30-Day Plant Reset” program assisted thousands of people to shift to more plant-forward eating without the feeling deprived or overwhelmed, but her recipes can be broken down into 1, 2, 3 or 5 components, making them incredibly easy to tackle. This practical approach has solidified her place among the most popular food influencers of the year.
Global Flavor Explorers
These most popular food influencers are expanding our culinary horizons by introducing global flavors and techniques:
Yumna Jawad – Feel Good Foodie
Accessible Mediterranean inspired cuisine continues to reign supreme by Yumna. I’ve been following Michigan based creator Yumna, who shares healthy, Mediterranean inspired recipes on Instagram and TikTok. However, she didn’t stop at content creation — she has now also moved to product development with her overnight oats brand, Oath Oats.
At the close of 2025, busy families did not know what they would have done without Yumna’s “Mediterranean Made Easy” cooking series which over the past year has helped them use Mediterranean diet principles for everyday meals. Her focus on simple techniques and accessible ingredients has made her one of the most popular food influencers for home cooks seeking healthier options.
Danny Kim (DannyGrubs)
In 2011, he has exploded with popularity with his interesting fusion food creations. “I love my followers seeing classic dishes and drinks reimagined in a modern way,” he says. His content is about ‘creative takes on comforting staples like elevated mac and cheese, gourmet versions of childhood snacks and reinvented traditional desserts’.
In the year 2025, Danny’s “Global Comfort Food Remix” series which involves Danny splicing various techniques and flavors from various culinary traditions, has been particularly viral. His ability to balance nostalgia with innovation makes him one of the most popular food influencers for adventurous home cooks.
The Culinary Technicians
These most popular food influencers are known for their technical expertise and educational approach:
Joshua Weissman
After years of technical mastery and charismatic teaching, Joshua continues to attract millions of followers. Now a professional chef, Joshua was never destined for the tinsel and sequins, but learnt to cook from a young age as a coping mechanism to being bullied; his parents were also both culinary inclined. Having established himself in fine dining, he started to do content creation to connect with people who love food.
Home cooks who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get in the kitchen have especially loved Joshua’s “Master Class” series — he breaks down hard skills like making pasta or spatchcocking a chicken into easily understood steps for the home cook in 2025. His combination of expertise, humor, and production quality keeps him ranked among the most popular food influencers year after year.
Patrick Zeinali
He has found his way with his approachable but innovative recipes. Patrick is known for both simple and delicious recipes across TikTok and YouTube and his culinary content ranges from cheese donuts, to crispy chicken tacos. He has amassed millions of followers thanks to his entertaining and informative style of cooking which amounts to a creative and passionate way of showing how to make great food.
As might be expected, his 2025 ‘Weeknight Wonder’ series which showcases impressive meals that come together in 30 minutes or less, has been a hit with time pressed workers. This practical approach to elevated home cooking has secured his place among the most popular food influencers of the year.
The Entertainment-First Foodies
These most popular food influencers blend food with entertainment, creating content that’s as engaging as it is mouth-watering:
Stefan Johnson
And his signature voice and comedic food reviews still delight a large following. As one of the top food influencers on TikTok, Cleveland native Stefan has 8 million followers on the hugely popular app. He’s also attracted millions more YouTube and Instagram followers with his comedic reviews of restaurants and trending foods.
His series has particularly gone viral last year when he hosted the world famous “Fast Food Showdown” that is a series of hearing him compare similar items from different chains in his uniquely entertaining style. Stefan’s ability to make food content genuinely funny has cemented his status as one of the most popular food influencers in the entertainment category.
Jordan Howlett
Audiences are still fascinated by Jordan’s insider fast food secrets. But the YouTube star became a social media sensation with his “Fast Food Secrets Club” series in which he shares hidden menu items and industry hacks, even teaming up with actors like Donald Glover and Halle Berry. He’s got massive followings on all of the platforms and is a very sought after brand to partner with.
Perhaps most notably, his 2025 ‘Restaurant Confidential’ series – in which he speaks to ex fast food workers about their insider knowledge – has proved especially popular. Jordan’s knack for revealing the “behind the scenes” of the food industry makes him one of the most popular food influencers for curious foodies.
The Food Tech Innovators
These most popular food influencers are at the cutting edge of culinary technology:
Bristi Gupta
Her tech enhanced approach on traditional cooking has made waves. Bristi shares all her culinary knowledge through vegetarian recipes with a special emphasis on Indian cuisines using detailed and step by step instructions. From traditional Indian recipes to new found creations her content is designed to help followers expand their cooking skills and explore new flavors.
Original for her 2025 “Smart Kitchen” series demonstrating how to layer in AI cooking assistants and smart appliances above traditional cooking methods. This forward-thinking approach has established her as one of the most popular food influencers in the tech-food crossover space.
Roberto Morales (Robegrill)
Roberto has gaina immense following through his tech savvy approach to grilling and outdoor cooking. Roberto, who has 12.3 million followers, shares everything from making pasta carbonara to grilling a ribeye salad on TikTok. He brings his audience on delicant washing’s like the best taco in LA and in to the trusted source of what to cook and how to cook it.
It has been particularly influential, for example his 2025 ‘Smart Grilling’ series featuring the latest in outdoor cooking technology. Roberto’s ability to blend traditional grilling techniques with cutting-edge tools makes him one of the most popular food influencers for outdoor cooking enthusiasts.
Food Sustainability Champions
These most popular food influencers are leading the conversation on sustainable eating:
Maya Leinenbach – Fit Green Mind
Maya is a force in the sustainable food movement and at just 21, continues to do so. Through her handle @fitgreenmind it has a dedicated community on Instagram and TikTok. She shares vegan recipes and ‘What I Eat in a Day’ style videos that her followers like.
Thousands have been inspired by her 2025 ‘Zero Waste Kitchen’ challenge to reduce their food waste and carbon footprint. One of the most popular food influencers among Gen Z and young millennials is our own Maya, who has a youth perspective on sustainable eating.
Dan Barber
Dan’s philosophy and advocacy of sustainable agriculture, continued to influence both chefs and home cooks. Dan is not only a chef, but a sustainability champion whose restaurant Blue Hill at Stone Barns, is a living demonstration of his farm to table philosophy. Through engaging videos, social media posts, he shares insights into innovative cooking techniques and the importance of ethically sourced ingredients.
Spearheaded by his 2025 “Future Food” documentary series in which he travelled around the world to learn about innovative sustainable farming practices, has brought him the farthest. Dan’s intellectual approach to food sustainability keeps him ranked among the most popular food influencers for the environmentally conscious.
The Future of Food Influencing
A culinary social media revolution is only just beginning and these influencers are the most popular food influencers of 2025. While some eyebrows have been raised about the use of personal data, concerns remain about the unsavory use of personal data, as well as potential inequalities that artificial intelligence and other deep technologies across the food industry are bringing, there is little doubt that these technologies are shaping the future of food, by unlocking innovation, encouraging personalized experiences and supporting healthier lives.
We’re also seeing exciting trends emerge in how these most popular food influencers are shaping our food culture. Food trends 2025 are diversifying—from England and Eastern Europe to America and Korea and a new wave of Japanese influence. It’s hard to peg specific trending foods, but we’ll be seeing Japanese hand roll and sake, Polish pierogi, English muffins, Korean Tteok-Bokki and reinvigorated Italian classics like giant ravioli and gourmet risotto on the menus.
Why You Should Follow These Influencers
Following these most popular food influencers isn’t just about drooling over gorgeous food pics (though that’s certainly a perk!). They provide genuine value through:
- Practical cooking tips and techniques you can actually use
- Inspiration for expanding your culinary horizons
- Awareness about sustainable and ethical food choices
- Community connections with like-minded food lovers
- Entertainment that actually teaches you something
Conclusion
The most popular food influencers of 2025 represent the incredible diversity and creativity in today’s culinary landscape. Blogging is more than just showcasing pretty food, it’s about teaching new ways to make or cook, to learn about other cultures, advocacy on the behalf of sustainability and bringing me laughter – all in a great foodie community.
Who’s your favorite food influencer to follow? Have they recommended any recipes or restaurants that you’ve tried? So leave a comment below telling me!
If you’re hungry for more content like this, make sure you’re subscribed to ItIsMandy for alluly food, lifestyle and culture! That will be it for this week but I’ll be back next week with another hot take on what’s trending in 2025.
