Mar 12, 2025
7 MIN READ
INFLUENCER MARKETING
INFLUENCER MARKETING
Top 15 Food Micro-Influencers to Watch in 2025
Top 15 Food Micro-Influencers to Watch in 2025
Top 15 Food Micro-Influencers to Watch in 2025
Aishwarya Taskar
Aishwarya Taskar
Aishwarya Taskar
Aishwarya Taskar
Content Marketer @impulze.ai
Blog in Short ⏱️
Blog in Short ⏱️
A quick glance at the highlights—perfect for when you're short on time.
A quick glance at the highlights—perfect for when you're short on time.
Food micro-influencers are shaping trends and working with the top brands. This blog is about such food-micro-influencers in thSee this list for the top food micro-influencers like Adam Schwartz, Paola Velez, Greg Shockley, and Keith Sarasin.
Tips for finding micro-influencers: Start with your existing customers, find influencers with good engagement whose followers match your target audience and check for alignment of content style.
Partnering with the right micro-influencers can drive impactful results for your brand. Micro-influencer discovery tools like impulze.ai can help you find micro-influencers who align with your brand.
A recent survey shows that micro-influencers generate up to 60% more engagement than other influencers! That’s just one of the recent statistics on micro-influencers, which show how they are thriving.
This is true for food micro-influencers, too. They share unique recipes, culinary tips, and content that can make you drool, shape food trends, spark conversations, and offer fresh perspectives.
If you’re looking to work with one, this list can help. We’ve compiled a list of top food micro-influencers in the US to help you find a fitting match for your campaign.
Top Instagram Food Micro-Influencers
1. Paola Velez
Follower Count: 91K followers
Paola Velez is known for her innovative pastries and commitment to social change. As an award-winning Afro-Dominican chef and co-founder of Bakers Against Racism, she has used baking as a platform for activism while redefining modern pastry. Her cookbook, Bodega Bakes, celebrates her Dominican roots and the bold flavors of her upbringing. She shares her passion for food and culture through her Instagram and work at Bar Providencia.
Restaurants, food brands, and culinary ventures can benefit from her expertise and storytelling. Her ability to inspire and connect makes her a valuable partner for those looking to engage with diverse audiences.
2. Greg Shockley
Follower Count: 90.2K
Greg Shockley is a seasoned chef and entrepreneur with over 25 years of culinary experience. As the founder and CEO of Sage Catering, he has established a reputation for delivering exceptional dining experiences.
Beyond his catering business, Shockley serves as an on-air personality for QVC, representing renowned brands like Le Creuset and Traeger Grills.
Restaurants, food brands, and culinary ventures can benefit from Shockley's extensive industry knowledge and media presence. His ability to connect with audiences and showcase products effectively makes him a valuable partner for food and cooking equipment brands.
3. Mariella Mahal
Follower Count: 94.6K followers
Mariella Mahal is a food content creator known for her simple, budget-friendly Asian-inspired recipes. Combining her background in chemistry with a passion for cooking, she shares dishes that are both accessible and flavorful. She runs a blog that has a variety of recipes for quick meals and desserts. Mariella’s also a macro-influencer on TikTok.
She engages her followers and readers with cooking tutorials and personal stories. Her content reflects her journey from college student to culinary influencer, emphasizing practical cooking solutions. She can be a good partner for any food brand looking for authentic content.
4. Mina
Follower Count: 77.6K followers
Mina Im, known as @chicagofoodgirl, is a food and lifestyle influencer who showcases the best of Chicago’s dining scene. She combines her love for food, fashion, and travel to create engaging content. Her Instagram and blog highlight everything from hidden gems to high-end restaurants, offering her followers a curated look at Chicago’s vibrant culinary culture.
Restaurants hospitality ventures in Chicago can benefit from her local expertise. She can help them reaching locals or others looking for good food experiences in Chicago.
5. Valerie Libutti
Follower Count: 81.5K followers
Valerie Libutti, known as @vegantraveleats, is known for her creative plant-based recipes. She shares her passion for vegan food through her Instagram, offering insights into plant-based dining experiences around the United States. Valerie’s content highlights how diverse and delicious vegan cuisine can be while helping people embrace a compassionate and sustainable lifestyle.
Plant-based restaurants and food brands can benefit from her knowledge and engaged audience. She can be a valuable partner for a plant-based food industry brand that wants to connect with plant-based and vegan people.
Top TikTok Food Micro-Influencers
1. Adam Schwartz
Follower Count: 71.5K
Adam Schwartz is a food influencer recognized for his fun and engaging culinary videos. Through his creative approach to cooking, Adam mixes humor with expert-level culinary techniques to entertain and educate his growing audience. His content covers various food-related topics, from inventive recipes to relatable cooking tips designed to make food fun and accessible for everyone.
Restaurants, food brands, and culinary ventures can benefit from Adam’s ability to blend humor with storytelling. His unique style and love for food make him a valuable partner for brands who want to reach food enthusiasts through entertainment.
2. Amanda Freitag
Follower Count: 51.3K
Chef Amanda Freitag is a distinguished figure in the American culinary world. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she has honed her skills in esteemed New York City kitchens such as Vong, Verbena, and The Harrison. Beyond the kitchen, Amanda captivates audiences as a judge on Food Network's ‘Chopped’. Her TikTok has recipes and chef hacks that can make cooking easy for people.
She’s also a micro-influencer on Instagram, sharing recipes and glimpses from her personal life.
Food brands can work with Amanda to reach out to food-lovers. She can be a good partner for product launches given her credibility as an expert in the culinary world.
3. Catherine Pla
Follower Count: 69.3K
Catherine Pla, who runs @chouquettekitchen, is a San Diego-based cook and recipe developer. A Le Cordon Bleu Paris graduate, she specializes in French-inspired dishes, blending traditional techniques with modern flavors. Through engaging TikTok videos, Catherine shares accessible recipes and cooking tips to inspire novice and seasoned home cooks. Her content reflects a passion for culinary arts and a commitment to making gourmet cooking approachable.
Catherine’s also an Instagram micro-influencer and Amazon influencer. Catherine can be a great partner for gourmet food brands or brands looking to sell through Amazon.
4. Adventures Of A Fat Guy
Follower Count: 73.7K
‘Adventures of a Fat Guy,’ known on TikTok as @realadventuresofafatguy, is a content creator who combines his passions for food, family, and humor. His videos feature a mix of cooking tutorials, food reviews, and lighthearted skits, engaging a diverse audience with relatable content. With over 73,700 followers and 1.5 million likes, his approachable style and genuine enthusiasm have fostered a growing community. He’s also a micro-influencer on Instagram.
Brands and culinary ventures can benefit from his engaging storytelling and community. He can be a good partner for meat brands as his most of his content is about meat recipes.
5. Jennifer Hsiao
Follower Count: 31.1K
Jennifer Hsiao is a pastry chef based in Los Angeles. She shares recipes, food videos, and vlogs with her followers. Jennifer's approachable style and passion for baking make her a trusted voice among pastry enthusiasts.
Brands in the baking industry can work with her. She’s also a micro-influencer on Instagram with a highly engaged audience.
Top YouTube Food Micro-Influencers
1. Stevescooking
Subscriber Count: 99.8K
Steve Dolby, a chef, runs this YouTube channel. Steve shares various recipes, from simple dishes to more unique culinary adventures. His friendly, approachable style makes cooking fun and accessible for viewers. Whether you’re looking for quick meal ideas or detailed cooking techniques, this channel has recipe videos for it.
Culinary brands and food ventures can work with Steve to reach subscribers who love his recipes.
2. Keith Sarasin
Subscriber Count: 76.2K
Keith Sarasin, a chef and restaurateur who loves Indian food, runs this YouTube channel which is all about Indian food in the US and the food he’s tried during his travels in India.
Keith’s videos are informative yet fun. He also has a series which talks about the origins of Indian dishes.
Keith is also a micro-influencer on Instagram where he talks about Indian food and shares more about his restaurant in Indiana.
Brands in the US that want to appeal to the Indian diaspora should consider working with Keith.
3. Faiths Oven
Subscriber Count: 55.6K
Faiths Oven, a home chef, runs this YouTube channel to share recipes from different cuisines. She shares easy-to-follow instructions and insightful cooking tips, making it a go-to resource for food lovers.
Food brands and culinary ventures can connect with this Faith to engage with experimental food enthusiasts who like exploring different cuisines.
4. Brittnee Kay
Subscriber Count: 48.6K
Brittnee Kay runs this YouTube channel where chocolate and pastry take center stage. She’s a self-taught chocolatier, pastry chef and cake decorator. She shares recipes for indulgent treats like decadent chocolates, pastries, and other sweet creations.
Her subscribers love her videos; her warm and approachable style makes even complex desserts feel accessible to all levels of bakers. And her videos have lots of positive comments from viewers who appreciate her recipes and teaching.
Chocolate or baking-product related brands can benefit from partnering with Brittnee.
5. Jocelyn Delk Adams
Subscriber Count: 46.7K
Jocelyn Adams started this YouTube channel for her award-winning blog Grandbaby Cakes. This channel focuses on cake recipes and recipes for dishes inspired by Jocelyn’s Southern upbringing.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cook, the channel offers something for everyone, focusing on delivering beautifully crafted cakes and savoury dishes.
Food brands and baking companies can benefit from partnering with Jocelyn. They could also work with her to promote their products through Jocelyn’s appealing blog.
Tips for Finding the Perfect Food Micro-Influencers
Didn’t find a good match from this list and need to find another one? With so many profiles to scroll through, finding the right one can feel like searching for the perfect avocado. It takes time, but it’s totally worth it.
Choosing wisely is key because the right partnership can take your brand’s marketing to the next level. To make the process smoother, here are a few tips to help you pick the best fit.
1. Start With Your Existing Customers
Your ideal influencer might already be in your customer base. Is there someone who regularly talks about your brand? A micro-influencer who genuinely loves your products will bring an authenticity that audiences trust. Their passion will come through naturally, making their recommendations all the more convincing.
2. Look Beyond Follower Count. Engagement Matters
A big follower count is great, but what really counts is engagement. When shortlisting influencers, take a look at how their audience responds.
Do people leave thoughtful comments, or is it just a sea of generic emojis? Do they take the time to reply? A micro-influencer with a genuinely engaged audience has a stronger influence, which means their recommendations will hold more weight.
Here’s how impulze.ai can make this process easier and more efficient for you. The app can help you quickly find influencers whose followers match your target audience. Its search bar can help you see influencers based on location, follower size, engagement rates, and more. You can then use our influencer report to see information about the influencer’s audience demographics.
The app also allows you to send and track emails to influencers, simplifying the entire influencer outreach process.
3. Check Their Content Quality and Brand Fit
Scroll through their posts like you’re eyeing a restaurant menu. Does their content look polished and visually appealing? Does their voice match your brand’s personality? A good creative fit ensures your brand message feels natural rather than forced. When their style aligns with yours, the collaboration feels effortless and authentic.
Finding the right food micro-influencer takes some effort, but just like perfecting a recipe, the results are worth it.
Wrapping Up
Partnering with the right food micro-influencers can bring your brand closer to an engaged and loyal audience. While the search process can feel daunting, micro-influencer marketing tools like impulze.ai and SocialiQ can help you find micro-influencers that match your target audience.
With impulze.ai’s free plan, you can explore its features risk-free and kickstart your journey to finding the perfect influencers today.
A recent survey shows that micro-influencers generate up to 60% more engagement than other influencers! That’s just one of the recent statistics on micro-influencers, which show how they are thriving.
This is true for food micro-influencers, too. They share unique recipes, culinary tips, and content that can make you drool, shape food trends, spark conversations, and offer fresh perspectives.
If you’re looking to work with one, this list can help. We’ve compiled a list of top food micro-influencers in the US to help you find a fitting match for your campaign.
Top Instagram Food Micro-Influencers
1. Paola Velez
Follower Count: 91K followers
Paola Velez is known for her innovative pastries and commitment to social change. As an award-winning Afro-Dominican chef and co-founder of Bakers Against Racism, she has used baking as a platform for activism while redefining modern pastry. Her cookbook, Bodega Bakes, celebrates her Dominican roots and the bold flavors of her upbringing. She shares her passion for food and culture through her Instagram and work at Bar Providencia.
Restaurants, food brands, and culinary ventures can benefit from her expertise and storytelling. Her ability to inspire and connect makes her a valuable partner for those looking to engage with diverse audiences.
2. Greg Shockley
Follower Count: 90.2K
Greg Shockley is a seasoned chef and entrepreneur with over 25 years of culinary experience. As the founder and CEO of Sage Catering, he has established a reputation for delivering exceptional dining experiences.
Beyond his catering business, Shockley serves as an on-air personality for QVC, representing renowned brands like Le Creuset and Traeger Grills.
Restaurants, food brands, and culinary ventures can benefit from Shockley's extensive industry knowledge and media presence. His ability to connect with audiences and showcase products effectively makes him a valuable partner for food and cooking equipment brands.
3. Mariella Mahal
Follower Count: 94.6K followers
Mariella Mahal is a food content creator known for her simple, budget-friendly Asian-inspired recipes. Combining her background in chemistry with a passion for cooking, she shares dishes that are both accessible and flavorful. She runs a blog that has a variety of recipes for quick meals and desserts. Mariella’s also a macro-influencer on TikTok.
She engages her followers and readers with cooking tutorials and personal stories. Her content reflects her journey from college student to culinary influencer, emphasizing practical cooking solutions. She can be a good partner for any food brand looking for authentic content.
4. Mina
Follower Count: 77.6K followers
Mina Im, known as @chicagofoodgirl, is a food and lifestyle influencer who showcases the best of Chicago’s dining scene. She combines her love for food, fashion, and travel to create engaging content. Her Instagram and blog highlight everything from hidden gems to high-end restaurants, offering her followers a curated look at Chicago’s vibrant culinary culture.
Restaurants hospitality ventures in Chicago can benefit from her local expertise. She can help them reaching locals or others looking for good food experiences in Chicago.
5. Valerie Libutti
Follower Count: 81.5K followers
Valerie Libutti, known as @vegantraveleats, is known for her creative plant-based recipes. She shares her passion for vegan food through her Instagram, offering insights into plant-based dining experiences around the United States. Valerie’s content highlights how diverse and delicious vegan cuisine can be while helping people embrace a compassionate and sustainable lifestyle.
Plant-based restaurants and food brands can benefit from her knowledge and engaged audience. She can be a valuable partner for a plant-based food industry brand that wants to connect with plant-based and vegan people.
Top TikTok Food Micro-Influencers
1. Adam Schwartz
Follower Count: 71.5K
Adam Schwartz is a food influencer recognized for his fun and engaging culinary videos. Through his creative approach to cooking, Adam mixes humor with expert-level culinary techniques to entertain and educate his growing audience. His content covers various food-related topics, from inventive recipes to relatable cooking tips designed to make food fun and accessible for everyone.
Restaurants, food brands, and culinary ventures can benefit from Adam’s ability to blend humor with storytelling. His unique style and love for food make him a valuable partner for brands who want to reach food enthusiasts through entertainment.
2. Amanda Freitag
Follower Count: 51.3K
Chef Amanda Freitag is a distinguished figure in the American culinary world. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, she has honed her skills in esteemed New York City kitchens such as Vong, Verbena, and The Harrison. Beyond the kitchen, Amanda captivates audiences as a judge on Food Network's ‘Chopped’. Her TikTok has recipes and chef hacks that can make cooking easy for people.
She’s also a micro-influencer on Instagram, sharing recipes and glimpses from her personal life.
Food brands can work with Amanda to reach out to food-lovers. She can be a good partner for product launches given her credibility as an expert in the culinary world.
3. Catherine Pla
Follower Count: 69.3K
Catherine Pla, who runs @chouquettekitchen, is a San Diego-based cook and recipe developer. A Le Cordon Bleu Paris graduate, she specializes in French-inspired dishes, blending traditional techniques with modern flavors. Through engaging TikTok videos, Catherine shares accessible recipes and cooking tips to inspire novice and seasoned home cooks. Her content reflects a passion for culinary arts and a commitment to making gourmet cooking approachable.
Catherine’s also an Instagram micro-influencer and Amazon influencer. Catherine can be a great partner for gourmet food brands or brands looking to sell through Amazon.
4. Adventures Of A Fat Guy
Follower Count: 73.7K
‘Adventures of a Fat Guy,’ known on TikTok as @realadventuresofafatguy, is a content creator who combines his passions for food, family, and humor. His videos feature a mix of cooking tutorials, food reviews, and lighthearted skits, engaging a diverse audience with relatable content. With over 73,700 followers and 1.5 million likes, his approachable style and genuine enthusiasm have fostered a growing community. He’s also a micro-influencer on Instagram.
Brands and culinary ventures can benefit from his engaging storytelling and community. He can be a good partner for meat brands as his most of his content is about meat recipes.
5. Jennifer Hsiao
Follower Count: 31.1K
Jennifer Hsiao is a pastry chef based in Los Angeles. She shares recipes, food videos, and vlogs with her followers. Jennifer's approachable style and passion for baking make her a trusted voice among pastry enthusiasts.
Brands in the baking industry can work with her. She’s also a micro-influencer on Instagram with a highly engaged audience.
Top YouTube Food Micro-Influencers
1. Stevescooking
Subscriber Count: 99.8K
Steve Dolby, a chef, runs this YouTube channel. Steve shares various recipes, from simple dishes to more unique culinary adventures. His friendly, approachable style makes cooking fun and accessible for viewers. Whether you’re looking for quick meal ideas or detailed cooking techniques, this channel has recipe videos for it.
Culinary brands and food ventures can work with Steve to reach subscribers who love his recipes.
2. Keith Sarasin
Subscriber Count: 76.2K
Keith Sarasin, a chef and restaurateur who loves Indian food, runs this YouTube channel which is all about Indian food in the US and the food he’s tried during his travels in India.
Keith’s videos are informative yet fun. He also has a series which talks about the origins of Indian dishes.
Keith is also a micro-influencer on Instagram where he talks about Indian food and shares more about his restaurant in Indiana.
Brands in the US that want to appeal to the Indian diaspora should consider working with Keith.
3. Faiths Oven
Subscriber Count: 55.6K
Faiths Oven, a home chef, runs this YouTube channel to share recipes from different cuisines. She shares easy-to-follow instructions and insightful cooking tips, making it a go-to resource for food lovers.
Food brands and culinary ventures can connect with this Faith to engage with experimental food enthusiasts who like exploring different cuisines.
4. Brittnee Kay
Subscriber Count: 48.6K
Brittnee Kay runs this YouTube channel where chocolate and pastry take center stage. She’s a self-taught chocolatier, pastry chef and cake decorator. She shares recipes for indulgent treats like decadent chocolates, pastries, and other sweet creations.
Her subscribers love her videos; her warm and approachable style makes even complex desserts feel accessible to all levels of bakers. And her videos have lots of positive comments from viewers who appreciate her recipes and teaching.
Chocolate or baking-product related brands can benefit from partnering with Brittnee.
5. Jocelyn Delk Adams
Subscriber Count: 46.7K
Jocelyn Adams started this YouTube channel for her award-winning blog Grandbaby Cakes. This channel focuses on cake recipes and recipes for dishes inspired by Jocelyn’s Southern upbringing.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced cook, the channel offers something for everyone, focusing on delivering beautifully crafted cakes and savoury dishes.
Food brands and baking companies can benefit from partnering with Jocelyn. They could also work with her to promote their products through Jocelyn’s appealing blog.
Tips for Finding the Perfect Food Micro-Influencers
Didn’t find a good match from this list and need to find another one? With so many profiles to scroll through, finding the right one can feel like searching for the perfect avocado. It takes time, but it’s totally worth it.
Choosing wisely is key because the right partnership can take your brand’s marketing to the next level. To make the process smoother, here are a few tips to help you pick the best fit.
1. Start With Your Existing Customers
Your ideal influencer might already be in your customer base. Is there someone who regularly talks about your brand? A micro-influencer who genuinely loves your products will bring an authenticity that audiences trust. Their passion will come through naturally, making their recommendations all the more convincing.
2. Look Beyond Follower Count. Engagement Matters
A big follower count is great, but what really counts is engagement. When shortlisting influencers, take a look at how their audience responds.
Do people leave thoughtful comments, or is it just a sea of generic emojis? Do they take the time to reply? A micro-influencer with a genuinely engaged audience has a stronger influence, which means their recommendations will hold more weight.
Here’s how impulze.ai can make this process easier and more efficient for you. The app can help you quickly find influencers whose followers match your target audience. Its search bar can help you see influencers based on location, follower size, engagement rates, and more. You can then use our influencer report to see information about the influencer’s audience demographics.
The app also allows you to send and track emails to influencers, simplifying the entire influencer outreach process.
3. Check Their Content Quality and Brand Fit
Scroll through their posts like you’re eyeing a restaurant menu. Does their content look polished and visually appealing? Does their voice match your brand’s personality? A good creative fit ensures your brand message feels natural rather than forced. When their style aligns with yours, the collaboration feels effortless and authentic.
Finding the right food micro-influencer takes some effort, but just like perfecting a recipe, the results are worth it.
Wrapping Up
Partnering with the right food micro-influencers can bring your brand closer to an engaged and loyal audience. While the search process can feel daunting, micro-influencer marketing tools like impulze.ai and SocialiQ can help you find micro-influencers that match your target audience.
With impulze.ai’s free plan, you can explore its features risk-free and kickstart your journey to finding the perfect influencers today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are some micro influencers?
Who are some micro influencers?
Who are some micro influencers?
Who is the top influencer for food?
Who is the top influencer for food?
Who is the top influencer for food?
Do food influencers pay for their food?
Do food influencers pay for their food?
Do food influencers pay for their food?
How to find micro-influencers near me?
How to find micro-influencers near me?
How to find micro-influencers near me?
How much do micro-influencers make?
How much do micro-influencers make?
How much do micro-influencers make?
How do food influencers work?
How do food influencers work?
How do food influencers work?
Is impulze.ai free?
Is impulze.ai free?
Is impulze.ai free?
Author Bio
Author Bio
Aishwarya Taskar
Aishwarya Taskar
Aishwarya Taskar is a full-time writer. She has studied journalism and marketing. In her free time, she loves watching films and spending time with animals. You can learn more about her here.
Aishwarya Taskar is a full-time writer. She has studied journalism and marketing. In her free time, she loves watching films and spending time with animals. You can learn more about her here.
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