For seven weeks, What We’re Watching is being taken over by the Paley Center’s Teen Transmitters internship cohort! Each week a different pair of students will share their thoughts on the 2021 media landscape along with personalized recommendations. This week you will hear from Ramisha Parvez, a senior at Townsend Harris High School, and Karielle Jarrett, a senior at Scholars Academy. We hope you enjoy this unique opportunity to hear directly from young voices.

As always, if you have any questions, thoughts, or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at eduny@paleycenter.org.

Food is one of the biggest necessities in life. It is also something that looks different for everyone. Depending on factors such as location, age, and ethnicity, what you consume may differ from others. As time goes on, methods of food and consumption have changed. With the introduction of new techniques and technology, we are able to cook in numerous different ways. Likewise, food media has also evolved in the past decade. While cookbooks and TV channels like Food Network are still prevalent, a new form of food media has emerged in the form of small 15-second to 3-minute clips on the popular app TikTok.

TikTok, or FoodTok, is home to numerous creators who have become overnight social media stars as a result of their content. Most importantly, FoodTok hits the mark on what past forms of food entertainment used to miss. FoodTok prides itself on its cultural diversity. Whether it is the diversity of its creators or its cuisine, FoodTok features it all. On a lighthearted app like TikTok, it is so easy to start conversations about different cuisines and what cultural significance they may hold. Through options like commenting or duetting, other viewers can learn, as well as speak openly about different foods.

Joanne Molinaro, also known as The Korean Vegan, is a popular FoodTok creator with more than 2.5 million followers. Her page boasts numerous recipes inspired by her roots. In a unique twist, many of Joanne’s videos feature voice overs where she tells inspiring stories. Whether it is a story of her parents immigrating to the United States, or a story of her trying to navigate her relationship with her father, Joanne’s videos will leave you feeling wholesome as well as hungry. Through Joanne’s discussions of different themes, some that relate directly with the food that she is making, her comment section is filled with thousands of people who are learning about her life as a Korean-American woman.

Moreover, FoodTok is a haven for up-and-coming food trends. In the past year, recipes like baked feta pasta, pesto eggs, dalgona coffee, seitan, as well as numerous iterations of avocado toast have emerged. These new trends are exciting as many creators scramble to see who can have the most unique twist on a new trend. Even celebrities like Lizzo are active on FoodTok and regularly participate in the hype.

These trends also play into the diversity that is FoodTok. As a result, foods like Birria Tacos, Fufu, and bubble tea are being shown to a brand new audience that mainly consists of people who likely would have never discovered these foods on their own. People can now discover new foods without leaving their homes. They no longer have to travel or go to a different area to learn about new cuisine. Due to the rising popularity of these foods, restaurants are finding new ways to capitalize off their success. For example, in Jackson Heights, three Mexican brothers run the popular and critically acclaimed food truck, Birria-Landia. In the past year, this truck has seen great success and long lines, as people are willing to wait an upwards of an hour just to try Birria Tacos. Similarly, all over New York City, new kinds of bubble tea spots seem to open up regularly. Whether it is beautiful bottles or intricate interiors, these shops work hard to cultivate a certain aesthetic that attracts consumers. The finishing touch for these restaurants is a viral TikTok video created by a food reviewer that is bound to bring in customers in large loads.

For those who aren’t located in an area that has access to these kinds of establishments, do not fret! There are many FoodTok creators who have cultivated authentic recipes that are easy to follow. All it takes is a trip to the grocery store, and you could be well on your way to making a dish like Indian butter chicken.

FoodTok is a magical pocket of the internet that deserves more praise. Run by the most passionate creators, FoodTok has encouraged us to take up cooking as a skill as well as support local and small restaurants. Below are some of our favorite FoodTok creators.

Chilipeppercooks

The Korean Vegan

Onii_tan

Shreyacookssss

Theres.food.at.home

Happy eating!

Photos—comic strips: Karielle Jarrett

We hope this inspires you to watch and learn together in a new way at home! The Paley Center is here for you and, now more than ever before, we would deeply appreciate your support. Please consider making a donation: