Food design is about sincerity, love of cooking and a bit of photography

In an era where visual appeal holds ever-growing importance, the realm of food design emerges as a captivating fusion of art and culinary expertise. It revolves around a captivating notion - making food visually pleasing. The ultimate aim is to craft gastronomic creations that not only satisfy the taste buds but also exceed visual expectations.

Julia Loja, the author of a popular culinary blog — The Yummy Bowl — shares her insights on the implementation of blogging within the realm of food design. She illuminates the necessary skills and steps to attain success in this realm, as well as the inspiring impact it has on individuals worldwide.

So, food design. What is it, what is the relevant direction and why is its popularity growing so rapidly these days?

— The goal of food design is simple: to attract attention and evoke emotions from consumers through visually appealing food presentation. It offers innovative approaches to ingredient usage, technology integration, and food display, resulting in aesthetic appeal, creative exploration, and unique gastronomic experiences.

Is this a new trend?

 — As an independent direction, food design can be considered a relatively young phenomenon. It began to actively develop and gain momentum in recent decades. However, the idea of decorating dishes beautifully and creating visually appealing products has been around for a long time. Historical examples of this can be seen in Japanese cuisine, with its mastery of sushi and sashimi, where special attention is paid to their presentation. Also in the cultures of different peoples, you can find examples of the traditional design of the festive table or the creation of complex food compositions.

In recent years, food design has been transformed into a separate direction, which includes not only professional skills, but also elements of decor and art. These days, culinary professionals are boldly experimenting with shapes, textures, colors and packaging to come up with unusual food presentation ideas. Thus, we can say that food design as an independent and developing industry has become especially relevant and has received wide recognition in recent years.

You are known as a professional blogger who shows culinary aesthetics in its most stylish manifestations. Tell us how you got into this field? When did you realize that this direction should become your life's work?

— Photography has always been a passion of mine, and I often dreamt of turning it into a source of income. However, I initially pursued a different path and dedicated several years to the service industry, specifically managing restaurants in luxurious 5-star hotels. While I enjoyed my work, deep down, I yearned for something more creatively fulfilling. Interestingly, it was during this time that my interest in cooking began to blossom. I witnessed talented chefs crafting exquisite dishes, their culinary creations appearing not only visually stunning but also incredibly appetizing. It was like witnessing works of art come to life—the process of food preparation and presentation captivated and mesmerized me. I realized that I desired to delve deeper into this area. Unfortunately, a demanding work schedule and the birth of my son left me with little opportunity to pursue my true passion.

What helped you turn the tide?

— Perhaps I would have stayed in my routine, but one day on Pinterest I saw an article by a culinary blogger who managed to transform her love of cooking into a successful online business. She shared the beginning of her blogging, how she learned photography and later was able to monetize her hobby. Her example became a source of inspiration for me, I thought: “Why not?”. I took the risk of immersing myself in this new direction for myself, and this decision became the most important in my life.

Was it difficult in the early stages?

— Oh, I remember taking my initial photos with an old iPhone in poor lighting conditions. Looking back, I feel quite embarrassed by them, even though at the time I thought they were decent. However, as time went on, my inner perfectionist emerged, compelling me to seek improvement in my photography skills. I delved into countless YouTube videos and filled several notebooks with handwritten notes (I prefer writing by hand rather than typing on a keyboard). Eventually, I enrolled in a blogging course, which provided me with a solid foundation to take my first professional steps.

The primary mistake in the initial stages is believing that passion for photography and cooking alone is sufficient for achieving success. I believe, this notion is incorrect. It's crucial to realize that mere desire is insufficient. Continuous improvement and learning are essential, requiring daily dedication. If you wish to transform your hobby into a profitable venture, it must be approached with a business mindset. This entails setting goals and objectives, identifying your target audience and their needs, creating a business plan, establishing priorities, and placing significant emphasis on effective time management.

Continuous learning is essential for a professional food blogger. Merely following food trends is not sufficient to stay ahead. It is vital to stay updated on new SEO techniques, keep track of Google updates, and consistently enhance photography skills. The world is constantly evolving, and strategies that were effective in the past may no longer hold true today. Flexibility and adaptability are key to thriving in this dynamic landscape.

How long did it take you to achieve the result?

— About a year. Of course, it wasn't easy. During the day I was engaged in raising my son, and at night I worked on my blog - indefinitely, until the early hours of the morning. But it paid off and a few months later I saw the results.

Tell us, what is your project now?

— Initially, I set myself an ambitious goal - to triple the number of visitors to my blog every year. This year the pageviews increased by 350% compared to the last. I believe the key success factors were improved photo quality, thoughtful content policies, and comprehensive SEO strategies. Thanks to this, the number of my readers is steadily growing. If we talk about the audience, then my blog is popular among users 30-60 years old. Most of my subscribers live in the USA - 89% - as well as in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Currently my projects include the same, increasing the traffic, improving old content, connecting and nurturing my email subscribers, creating videos, and growing my social media following.

Why did you decide to target a foreign audience?

— It happened naturally. In recent years, my life has related to constant travel around the world. That's how I got the idea to create my website in English. Writing in English rather than my own language seemed to me the most authentic expression of my own thoughts and ideas. As a result, the blog has attracted an English-speaking audience, which has become the predominant group of readers on my platform.

Julia, how do you think the industry will develop in the coming years? What challenges do food bloggers face and what opportunities do they have today?

— I believe the future for food design bloggers is quite promising. While concerns and risks accompany the advancement of artificial intelligence, it is essential to recognize that technology can never fully replace personalized and thoughtful content. However, platforms like TikTok and Short videos are rapidly gaining popularity and serve as excellent promotional tools. Consider the appeal of genuine individuals showcasing captivating, interactive content. People will always have a desire to learn from and engage with such elements, and this inherent human connection holds immeasurable value in our technology-driven era.

Well, in conclusion, what advice would you give to those who want to realize themselves as a blogger in the field of food design?

— My best tips:

Be methodical. Consistency is the key to success. Make a work plan and strictly follow it.

Make connections. Engaging with readers and getting feedback is paramount.

Connect with other bloggers. The community of culinary experts is incredibly friendly, and everyone is happy to share their experiences and valuable ideas. And it’s free!

Together we can learn, grow and contribute to each other's success.

Never give up. Blog traffic growth can be slow at times, but you need to be persistent and keep doing your best.

And most importantly, love what you do, choose opportunities that match your skills and interests. Remember, being sincere is what really matters. Stay on your path, do what you do best, and then success will follow!

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