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My Journey as a Food Stylist: An Interview with TotsIndia


I'm thrilled to share with you all a recent interview I had with TotsIndia, where we delved into my world as a food stylist. It's always a pleasure to have the opportunity to reflect on my journey and share my perspective on this unique and evolving profession.


A Culinary Storyteller

The interview with TotsIndia beautifully captured the essence of what I do. As they put it, "Each photograph tells a unique story, and Trupti likes narrating those stories in a gorgeously creative way. Her stories are rather gastronomic." This statement perfectly encapsulates my passion for using food as a medium to tell captivating stories. From a sizzling hot pot to an artistically arranged roast, every dish I work with becomes a part of a visual narrative

The Challenge of Explaining Food Styling

One of the challenges I've faced throughout my career is explaining my profession to curious individuals. As the article rightly points out, being a food stylist is a duty-bound and lucrative profession, yet it remains relatively unheard of. However, I firmly believe that times are changing. The proliferation of packaged food in supermarkets and the rise of visually appealing restaurant dishes have started to shine a spotlight on our work. I've always strived to simplify the role of a food stylist for others. As I told TotsIndia, "The role of a food stylist is all about presenting food to the camera or the lenses in a very appealing manner, especially for professional pictures and videos." It's an art that combines both science and creativity, with the ultimate goal of making people crave food through their eyes.



Curiosity and Research: My Journey into Food Styling

One of the most exciting aspects of the interview was discussing how I stumbled upon this fascinating field. Nearly two decades ago, I discovered food styling on the internet, and it immediately piqued my interest. My background as a food enthusiast and my enrollment in culinary school laid the foundation for my journey. During my final year, I couldn't help but wonder about the tantalizing food images on billboards and in movies. The magic of a puri puffing up on screen fueled my curiosity further. I chose food styling as the topic for my Research & Development project and spent countless hours in cyber cafes, researching and developing my skills. It was during this time, when the internet was still a privilege, that I developed a deep attraction to this profession. Looking back, I can say that embarking on this path was one of the best decisions of my life, and I have no regrets.


The Importance of Education

Throughout my interview with TotsIndia, I emphasized the importance of a solid educational foundation. While there are no specific courses dedicated solely to food styling, a strong basic education is a must. For those who have graduated in hotel management, food styling becomes a valuable add-on to their skill set. It's essential to understand that food styling goes beyond merely presenting or polishing food; it's an art form that tells stories and evokes emotions. While there are a few short-term workshops available, both locally and abroad, my advice to aspiring food stylists is to seek out experienced professionals and gain practical knowledge through hands-on experience. As I mentioned to TotsIndia, even a chef knows how to plate food, but food styling is an entirely different craft. Personally, I learned the ropes through my own journey, and it has been a beautiful learning experience.


In conclusion, I want to express my gratitude to TotsIndia for the opportunity to share my perspective on food styling. It's a profession that has brought immense joy and creativity into my life, and I'm excited to continue pushing the boundaries of this art form. Thank you all for your support, and I invite you to explore the world of food styling with me as we journey through the captivating stories told through food.

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