Have you heard of hairstylists, nail stylists,
or stylists who work with actors and models. Now you can be a "food
stylist". The next time you see a menu or a cookbook, take a look at
the pictures and notice how appealing, colourful, appetizing and
realistic they look. That is the work of a food stylist.

It’s like a special-effects job. Food stylists can work for
advertising agencies, magazines, and TV production studios — or for
themselves. A food stylist prepares and arranges food for all kinds of
photography. Using their style, creativity, and their special sprays
and tools, they come up with as many tricks as possible to make food
look mouth watering and delicious.

Saba Gaziyani, a reputed food photographer and stylist says, "Food
stylists must have a good understanding of food presentation rather
than preparation. One must understand the basic chemistry of food to
know how it reacts to light, heat, air and other elements. Food styling
is an art form. It takes dedication and hard work. Training in
photography is a plus point. The ability to work with clients, and
photographers meeting the deadlines and working under pressure are also
essential. One of the best ways to become a food stylist is to work
with an already established one as his or her assistant so you can gain
as much experience as possible."

Some food stylists have a bachelor’s degree in hotel management, but
what really counts for this job is experience in cooking and
photography. This is an art - it takes skill, experience, and technique
as it is not about what your eyes are seeing – it’s about what you see
through the lens of a camera. Many food stylists work as professional
chefs before becoming stylists.