TikTok has long since transcended its origins as an app fuelled almost entirely by dance trends and teenagers lip-syncing to a two-sentence excerpt of a Nicki Minaj song. It's become a place of creativity, humour and, most excitingly for some of us, cooking videos.
Affectionately termed 'FoodTok', you've probably seen or heard about bygone viral recipes like Emily Mariko's easy salmon rice and a certain baked feta pasta monstrosity. For better or for worse, it's governing our meals and our palates one pasta chip at a time.
We'll be the first to admit that declaring a love of food is the equivalent to saying you love breathing: Duh. As far as we see it, the real divider, at least on TikTok, is that there are those of us who like to prepare food and then there are those of us who prefer to watch it being prepared. Personally, I'm in the latter camp.
So next time you're raking your brain for an easy lunch recipe or for a side dish to serve at your next dinner party, take this list and go for a scroll. These are the TikTok food accounts we turn to at mealtime or whenever we're on our bedtime procrastination bit. Enjoy!
1. William Conrad
@williamconrad_♬ original sound - William
The long-running joke about William Conrad's cooking on TikTok is that his soft-spoken demeanour skews toward sociopathic – and that he speaks to his camera much like a captive victim in his home. It's become such a running joke that even he, himself plays into it – and it only makes us love him more . He is a phenomenal chef with the plating skills of a seasoned professional, and we're honestly considering whether being his captive would be such a bad thing?
2. Christian Petracca
@christianpetracca_5MEXICAN FEAST Full menu at Ontrac5.com♬ Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes
If you want delicious food that you can actually cook at home yourself, look no further. While AFL players might not have a reputation in the kitchen, Christian Petracca is working hard to change that narrative, with a mix of easy, delicious homemade food that doesn't feel intimidating to make yourself.
3. Tess Madalyn
@tessmadalynpeach week continues with sorbet♬ original sound - tess madalyn gigone
Tess is Toronto-based, and her account is the place to be if its simple, therapeutic cooking videos you're after. None of her recipes feel performative – more like she's sharing her actual daily meal prep with us – and I'd liken her videos to being on a comforting FaceTime call with a friend. Most recently, she's been working her way through a bushel of peaches, with everything from peach jam, to tarte peach sorbet on the menu.
4. Thomas Straker
@thomas_straker Wild garlic butter - All things butter #FYP #ForYourPage #FoodTok #Butter #ButterTok #TikTokKitchen ♬ original sound - Thomas Straker
Like butter? You'll love Thomas Straker. The British chef set out to convince the world of the goodness of the glossy, salty dairy product with his TikTok series, All Things Butter — and you best believe he's done exactly that. While many of us haven't actually gone out of our way to recreate one of his butter mashups, this is one of those rare moments when the joy is truly in watching the process.
5. 2PeopleCooking (Chuck and Hailee)
@2peoplecookingbaked ziti♬ original sound - Chuck and Hailee
Chuck and Hailee's videos are both cosy and delicious — the kind that make you feel like you're right there in the kitchen with them. The couple's 'Friday night dinner' series sees them experiment with recipes from across the world, and serve up endless cooking inspiration in the process.
6. Pierce Abernathy
@pierzzaPeach + Goat Cheese Galette with a Honey-Thyme Syrup♬ Walkin' Back to Georgia - Jim Croce
Pierce Abernathy is both a chef and a model, and specialises in transforming delicious, simple ingredients into mouth-watering and creative meals. On his page, you'll find everything from peach and goat cheese galette, to savoury chive french toast. If you can think of it, Abernathy has likely made it.
7. Gal Shua-Haim
@somethingnutritious weekend sandwich > •toasted ciabatta •basil whipped feta •avocado •arugula with olive oil & hot honey •roasted peppers with balsamic •burrata •flakey salt & pepper #burratasandwich Hollywood Strings Orchestra" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/A-Summer-Place-7062752064783026178?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ A Summer Place - Hollywood Strings Orchestra
Gal is a registered dietitian and recipe developer from Florida who whips up some absolutely delicious dishes online, all with nutrition still part of the equation. From gluten-free recipes to easy lunch ideas, her food is easily prepared and incorporated into your existing diet for a well-rounded weeknight dinner or weekend treat.
8. Nara Smith
@naraazizasmith number one craving lately #easyrecipe #homecooking #wings #ranch #pregnancycravings #fypシ #mealideas ♬ Nice and Easy - Louis Adrien
Some consider her a controversial figure, but if you're like us, watching Smith's detailed food content brings the ultimate comfort. Nara Smith loves nothing more than challenging herself to make everything from ice cream to cereal from scratch.
9. Owen Han
@owen.han Butter chicken 🌯 #butterchicken #burrito ♬ original sound - OWEN HAN
Owen Han's TikTok is a reminder of simpler times on the internet, when our favourite cooking channel was How To Basic on YouTube. I say this because the short clips of him slicing, cleaving and pressing down on his crusty sandwiches arrive with violent soundbites. It's aggressive ASMR and I'm here for it.
10. Lucky Dragon Supper Club
@luckydragonsupperclub Stirfry Bok Choy Rice (Cai Fan) 🥬 #homecooking #asianfood 4u2nv full recipe is on @Colournary Magazine ♬ Lamp - Lukrembo
Some local girlies cooking up Asian food across a variety of cuisines for your viewing pleasure. Plus, if you get to the point where your cravings take over, Lucky Dragon Supper Club is opening in real life soon. Bai.
11. Emily Mariko
@emilymariko♬ original sound - Emily Mariko
A 3o-year-old California girl that needs no introduction. She was the reason half the digitally active world were mashing up day-old salmon into a orange sludge with rice, kewpie and sriracha. Wherever you stand on the trend, or on eating farmed salmon for that matter, there's something satisfying about watching Mariko prepare proper portions of food from her tidy kitchen. We live for her farmer's market hauls (and her tips for storing veggies).
12. Cucina Con Ruben
@cucinaconruben Pasta Cacio&Pepe #foodporn #personalchef #chefruben #perte #foryou #learnontiktok #imparacontiktok #cacioepepe #cacioepepepasta ♬ Say So (Instrumental Version) [Originally Performed by Doja Cat] - Elliot Van Coup
Look, I don't speak Italian (at least that's what the northerners say) but from what I can gather, Chef Ruben asks those walking beneath his balcony what he should cook and whips it up. It's a simple premise but hey, it's entertaining. That and the recipes are easy enough to conjure up at home.
13. Matty Matheson
@mattymathesonCOUPLA FOOD GROUPS♬ original sound - MATTY MATHESON
Admittedly, Matty doesn't do much cooking these days, at least on TikTok. But we're still following him in the hope that he might just turn out some heart-stopping burgers someday soon. In the meantime, follow the Canadian chef for clips of him twerking with Addison Rae of all people. And away from TikTok, you'll also catch him on the bear. Very fitting.
14. Nana Joe
@nanajoe19♬ original sound - Alejandra❤️
When you're chowing down on a measly salad Nana Joe will always deliver a punch of food envy. There's cheese, and lots of it, there's spice and she's almost always dishing up Mexican fare. Lord take me and transform me into Nana Joe's husband, he's got it good.
15. Hwoo Lee
@hwoo.lee #ad Nothing like killing time while my groceries get delivered via @instacart ♬ original sound - h woo
We've all got a crush on Hwoo Lee. Yes, he's an actual trained cook but he also has a four step beauty routine and editing skills to envy. Then there's the fact that we love a aloof boy. Lee covers lots of ground, specialising in Korean fare and even trying his hand at some cocktails in the meantime.
16. Mor Ibayan
@moribyan Steak sandwich time! #asmr style video IB: @Hank ♬ Sunday Kind of Love - Etta James
Hajar Labah would win the most immaculate kitchen award if such a thing existed. Like her creatively arranged shots, her benches and equipment are spotless which soothes the pedantic side of me. Plus, her recipes are loaded with ingredients and are always well seasoned. What's not to like?
17. Marin
@marinarasauce30 peach upside down cake :) #dessert #peach #peachcake #cake #baking #summer #foodtok #fyp ♬ Thee Lakesiders - 💫✨M1zzLyons520✨💫
A smaller creator, but one who's no less deserving of a spot on this list. Marin will have your mouth watering with her simple but oh-so aesthetically pleasing videos, from breakfast tacos to upside-down peach cake. No notes.
18. Sophia Roe
@sophia_roe if you’re not eating your pasta green, what are you even doing? #pasta #fyp #cozy #nyc ♬ Dignita - Stelvio Cipriani
You know how we feel about Sophia Roe, let alone her cooking videos. All those angles, the swathes of natural light, somehow she manages to make each tutorial into a cinematic masterpiece. Fusing art with matters of the stomach is soul food indeed.
19. Tiffy Cooks
@tiffycooks If you needed more reasons to eat dumplings, this is it! #dumplings #asmr #storytime #lunarnewyear ♬ original sound - TIFFY COOKS 🥟
This Vancouver native is bringing a slew of kitchen hacks to your hungry eyes. There's videos for five-minute meals and one pot wonders. Oh, and we love that every recipe comes with storytime. It makes us feel less alone...
20. Sam's Eats
@samseats Shawarma 🥙 #tiktokfood #asmr ♬ original sound - Sam Way
Came here for food asmr? Welcome to Sam Way's TikTok account. Every chop, splash, cut and crunch twists together into a kitchen symphony. A treat for our ears as well as our stomachs.
21. Justine Snacks
@justine_snacks Replying to @mrs.emross ♬ NOTHING - Westover
Justin Doiron has a habit of making all her recipes look effortless and simple. Spanning a variety of genres, from this viral Brussels sprout salad to chocolate chip cookies to tteokbokki and more, you'll never be lost for a dinner idea again.
22. Julius Roberts
@julius.roberts Leek, potato and chorizo stew. One of those comforting recipes my family just lives on. We make this all the time. All you need is a good hunk of bread spread generously with butter. So easy to cook, everything goes in one pot and has just three main ingredients. Absolutey delicious no matter the weather. Enjoy! #greenhouse #cooking #recipe #fy #food #homemade ♬ original sound - Julius Roberts
Is there anything you could want more than to watch Julis Roberts cook you farm-to-table fare from the outdoor greenhouse of his smallholding in the English countryside? I think not. Roberts intuitively throws together zesty courgette pastas, creamy hummus and hearty pumpkin soups - all showcasing his just-picked farm-grown produce. If his TikTok's aren't enough, you can satiate yourself with his six-part television series A Taste of the Country where you can watch him forage for beans and make homemade wood-fired pizzas.
23. Justine's table
@justines.tableCrispy skin sea bass over a leek & spinach risotto topped with sungold confit, micro greens & lemon zest♬ Si Tu Vois Ma Mère - Sidney Bechet
If Justine's gorgeous kitchen isn't enough, her elevated take on home-style cooking will certainly get you going. From decadent seasonal roast vegetable trays to hand-rolled tagliatelle and Italian Wedding Soup, Justine will keep your week-night dinners from being anything but boring.
22. Alissasmagic
@alissasmagic can’t stop with these sandwiches #sandwich #sandwiches #sandwichrecipe #easyrecipe #lunchideas #lunch #sandwichmaker ♬ Swan Lake "dance of four swans" - Kohrogi
There is something addictive about these videos. We're particularly obsessed with her sandwhich recipes, which almost always feature thickly-sliced sourdough and the kinds of filling you dream about. But Alissa also dabbles in healthy breakfasts, lunch, and dinner recipes. Something for every mood.
24. Ottolenghi
@ottolenghi Probably my favourite thing to do with chickpeas.. #cookwithottolenghi #recipe #foodtok #hummus ♬ original sound - Ottolenghi
To absolutely no one's surprise, everyone's favourite chef and cookbook author Yotam Ottolenghi's TikTok account is like taking a culinary masterclass with the famed chef himself. He'll walk you through some of his most mouth-watering dishes, and give you tips and techniques for cooking more intuitively at home.
25. Gabbriette
@gabbriettebbGRAIN FREE PINEAPPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE recipe on IG. Aprons for sale now!!!♬ Guess - Charli xcx
Before she was our favourite reference, Gabbriette was making waves as a foodie force to be reckoned with. In addition to being basically the coolest girl in the world, the model-turned-social-media-chef is also a phenomenal cook. Need proof? Try out some of her grain-free recipes (I'm a personal fan of her Lemon and Poppyseed Loaf, which I'm made several times over now) and thank me later.
26. Stanley Tucci
@stanley.tucci Bekated Happy Father’s Day. Wait for thw punchline. #tuccitok ♬ original sound - Stanley Tucci
While he doesn't get into the nitty-gritty of recipe-making, nor does he post anywhere near regularly, we will always have a spot spot for Stanely Tucci's kitchen. Not only is it gorgeously appointed and helmed by one of our favourite personalities, it's also the birthplace of some of his favourite Italian and English dishes – and we'd never say no to pulling up a seat at his kitchen bar (even through our phone screens).
27. Wish Bone Kitchen (Meredith)
@wishbonekitchenClient’s birthday weekend = non-stop cooking 🫡 kinda popped off with dinner tho ngl♬ original sound - wishbonekitchen
What started as Meredith's vlogs as a private chef in the Hamptons over summer soon burgeoned into a full-time cooking business and soon-to-be cook book. She's often flitting to Dior shows or travelling to cheffing for high-profile celebs, but Meredith isn't without a completely disarming charm and expertise that makes her desperately likeable and addictive to watch. She's also spawned an entire genre of creators who now document their lives as private chefs.
