(a.k.a. Why You Want Me, Food Polka, on Your Next Shoot)
When it comes to creating food and beverage video content, hiring a seasoned food video producer with domain-specific expertise isn’t a luxury—it’s a smart business move. Most brands and agencies don’t realize why until it’s too late.
Too often, food and beverage brands hire generalist “creative” agencies or producers who’ve never worked with the unique demands of food & bev. Think: soda going flat🥤, perishable ingredients wilting 🥬, organizing shoots in working restaurant kitchens, knowing how to handle stuff and the existing environment, factoring in pre-production prep time, navigating commercial kitchen chaos, sourcing props and food, or styling a product in a way that actually tells a story and sells.
The result? Stressful shoots. Budget overages. Delays. Disappointing visuals that never get used.
I’ve been there, brought in by questionable production companies who somehow landed big clients by making lofty promises without any know-how. By the time they hire me, it’s often too late: 👀 they’ve already blown half the budget, the production is a stress bomb, and no one thought through the logistics beforehand. Total nonsense 🙈
Let’s break down what happens when you hire a specialized food video producer (like me) versus a “Sam the Generalist” who might have production skills, but no culinary or food & bev production context.
1. Understanding the Medium: Food Is a Living, Breathing Subject
Food Video Producer
I don’t just film food—I understand it. With culinary training and years of hands-on experience 👐🏻, I know that sauces break, herbs wilt, steam disappears in seconds, and textures or colors shift under lights and wait. Timing, plating, temperature, chemical and technical tricks, and modifiers are all managed with professional precision. Every decision—from ingredient selection to lighting—is made to protect the fragile, fast-moving nature of food content.
Sam the Generalist
Sam might nail a car commercial or an interview setup, but when a perfectly plated dish starts falling apart under a poorly planned shot list and unrealistic schedule, he’s lost. There’s no built-in knowledge of food handling, culinary rhythm, or the timing and creative craft needed to keep edible visuals camera-ready.
2. Saving Time (and Sanity) with Iron-Clad Pre-Production
Food Video Producer
When the producer understands food, pre-production is strategic. I create timelines, shot lists, prop boards, floorplans, and talent coordination specifically for food & bev shoots. Everyone—from agency to stylist to DP—knows the plan. That means no costly overtime, no frantic troubleshooting, no “we didn’t anticipate that” disasters from people who’ve never shot food (or cooked it 👨🏻🍳🚫)
Sam the Generalist
Generalists usually underestimate food shoot logistics. Prep time is always underestimated. The shot list is built to impress the client, not to be achievable within the budget. There’s no prep kitchen on site, the studio isn’t set up for food, the flow is unplanned, and details like plating timing or stand-ins are overlooked. Chaos ensues. Overtime piles up. Everyone’s stressed. All of this could have been avoided with a competent food video producer. I honestly feel sorry for those clients.
3. Budget Protection: No Overtime Surprises or Reshoots
Food Video Producer
I control the variables that make or break food shoots—ingredient sourcing, prep timing ⏱️, staging, studio flow, and a specialized crew (seasoned food stylists, photographers who understand food lighting, assistants who know prep flow). I ask the right questions early to educate clients, prevent surprises, and plan everything to the letter.
Sam the Generalist
Sam’s lack of food knowledge means things take longer, the process is chaotic, and costs balloon. You might not realize it until you hire a pro and see the difference. I’ve seen $50K wasted because a steak 🥩 was too small for the lens 🎥—something that would have been avoided if the producer had simply consulted with a specialized food video producer, food stylist, prop stylist, and DP beforehand. That’s not “just a mistake.” That’s negligence.
4. Specialized Crew Selection & Vendor Network
Food Video Producer
Through my Phoode® platform, I bring a vetted network of best-in-class food stylists, beverage stylists, culinary DPs, tabletop directors, food SFX specialists, prop stylists, tabletop studios, and specialized rigs and gear. I know which vendors deliver, which gear works for your needs, and when you can do more with less, or need more than you think. If you want your 🍺 not to spill, I can make it still 🍻 Cheers!
Sam the Generalist
Sam brings his usual generalist crew—often the same five people who’ve never shot a burger 🍔 or worked under the time constraints of a food set. They might bring gear that doesn’t fit the project, or not understand the handling, lighting, or framing needs of food. I was once hired for a silverware commercial 🍴where the prop stylist didn’t even know proper table setting 🍽️ or which utensil went with which dish. I mean… come on 🥄
5. Post-Production with Food-Specific Sensibility
Food Video Producer
Food color grading is an art 🖥️. You don’t want your footage looking faded, oversaturated, or off-white balance with unappetizing blue or green hues. I make sure editors and social teams get clean, well-labeled files ready for publishing. The entire production flows seamlessly into your marketing pipeline.
Sam the Generalist
Generalists don’t think about how melted cheese or bread should look in post. They might make it look cold and unappetizing, or shift the color balance until the food looks fake. The final product fails basic aesthetic standards, and it won’t convert.
Final Verdict: A Food Video Producer Isn’t a Splurge—It’s a Smart Investment
Don’t leave your food content to chance. Before you decide on a producer, ask them to show their food and beverage–related work and experience in their portfolio. Don’t just go by the price tag—be diligent. If they can’t prove their worth, walk away. Hiring a food video producer means smoother shoots, better visuals, fewer mistakes, and a team that understands food as both a craft and a subject.
📍Based in Los Angeles and available globally, I’ve worked across formats—from Webby-winning digital series to recipe videos and big-budget commercials—bringing a rare combination of culinary knowledge and visual storytelling.
Bottom line: If you want stress-free shoots, on-budget delivery, and food content that actually works 📈, you need someone who understands both production and food. That’s me—Marta Fowlie, aka Food Polka.
Have a Project in need of a Food Video Producer?
CLIENT American Greetings. END USE Holiday Video Advertising
CLIENT BJ’s Restaurants. END USE Digital Ad Campaign
CLIENT Hilton Hotels. END USE Branded Mini Series Social Media Campaign. Winners of Webby Award (x2) ROLE Art Direction – Culinary Production – Food Styling – Set Styling
CLIENT Phoode.com. END USE Social Media Ad Campaign. ROLE Story Idea – Production – Creative Direction – Photography – Directing – Styling – Design – Sound Design
CLIENT Cacique. END USE Social Media Ad Campaign. ROLE Production – Direction – Photography – Food Styling – Set Styling – Postproduction
CLIENT Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. END USE Holiday Ad Campaign. ROLE Beverage/Food Styling
CLIENT USWeekly. END USE Digital content for magazines digital edition. ROLE Culinary Production – Culinary Art Direction – Food Styling – Prop/Set Styling
Have a Project in need of a Video Producer, Director, Food Stylist, or Food Photographer?
CLIENT. Cadence Kitchen. END USE Product Campaign – Website – POS. ROLE Beverage/Food Styling
CLIENT New Amsterdam Vodka. END USE Digital Advertising. ROLE Beverage Art Direcion + Food/Beverage Styling
CLIENT FreeForm. END USE digital content for the popular TV sitcom “Young & Hungry”. ROLE Culinary Production + Art Direction – Food/Prop Styling
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CLIENT US Weekly. END USE celebrity content series “Inside my Kitchen” with Ali Larter. ROLE Culinary Production + Art Direction – Food Styling
CLIENT US Weekly. END USE Celebrity content series “Inside my Kitchen” with Maria Menounos. ROLE Culinary Production + Art Direction – Food/Prop Styling
CLIENT Addiction.com. END USE Digital content for Elements Behavioral Health “Nutrition & Recipes for Recovery”. ROLE Art Direction, Food/Prop Styling
Other Foodpolka Samples:
Have a Project in need of a Video Producer, Director, Food Stylist, or Food Photographer?
More Foodpolka Samples click here