Food TikTok: A Home Away From Home

As the pandemic continues to impact travel plans, these Food TikTok creators can make college students feel at home during the holidays.

As the autumn season approaches, it may be difficult for college students to celebrate holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving. COVID-19 cases seem to be declining, but the pandemic still may prevent some of us from returning home to visit family — leaving us longing for our family’s traditions and recipes.

While social media can help people stay connected to their loved ones abroad, platforms like Instagram and YouTube may lead people to feel left out as peers post curated pictures or lengthy vlogs of baking or cooking with loved ones.

TikTok, a social media platform that focuses solely on short-length videos, features more personal content. Digital creators on TikTok focus on growing connections with their audiences by sharing their stories, opinions and food. Their video content offers us the opportunity to virtually cook, bake and spend time with some friendly faces.

Here is a guide of TikTok creators who specialize in baking and cooking content, ranging from creating spooky Halloween-themed treats to warm and filling stews.

Biobele Braide (@bio.bele)

A triple threat as seen in her TikTok bio (“photographer, med student, passionate TikToker”), Biobele Braide (whose first name means “joy” in Kalabari) can spark jubilation and inspiration in any viewer with her cinematic baking videos.

Braide’s use of a lit candle and a soft jazz song, Ella Fitzgerald’s “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered,” as the video’s audio create a cozy atmosphere. Viewers can feel as if they are helping Braide as she takes them through her step-by-step creation of soft pumpkin cinnamon rolls with a warm maple cream cheese glaze.

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls with a warm maple cream cheese glaze made by @bio.bele

B. Dylan Hollis (@bdylanhollis)

Joking that he “bakes war crimes on TikTok,” B. Dylan Hollis builds anticipation and light-hearted fun as he finds out if old-school recipes are timelessly delicious or if they belong back in their era.

As he tests a deep-fried cookie dough recipe from 1971, Hollis makes funny statements such as “I fry with peanut oil...because it’s correct.” Hollis’s wholesome demeanor makes him loved by viewers, especially as his TikTok bio states “pull up a chair and stay a while :).” His dry humor and reaction to the success of the fried cookie dough balls can bring a smile to any viewer's face.

Deep-fried cookie dough from a 1971 recipe made by @bdylanhollis

Gabrielle Williams (@gabby.jaye)

Self-proclaimed “The ORIGINAL Disney Movie Food Series Creator,” Gabrielle Williams garners attention through her movie and T.V. show-inspired food creations.

Viewers who enjoy the movie “Coraline” can check out William’s video compilation of her “Coraline” inspired dishes. As Williams transitions between shots of the dishes (such as Caroline’s “Welcome Home” cake) and clips from the actual movie, viewers can feel as if they are celebrating Halloween with Williams.

Coraline’s Welcome Home cake made by @gabby.jaye

Joanne L. Molinaro (@thekoreanvegan)

Known as TikTok’s “Korean aunty,” Korean-American attorney, food blogger and author Joanne L. Molinaro shares stories and advice relating to family, society and identity through vegan Korean dishes.

Molinaro takes the role of “Korean aunty” seriously. She advises viewers of the importance of rest while making rice paper tteokbokki (a vegan take on the traditional Korean rice cake dish) in one video. Stuffed with seaweed and cheese alongside glass noodles simmered in a sweet and spicy gochujang (Korean red chili paste) sauce, the dish makes viewers feel as if they are eating a homemade dish by a loving aunt.

Stuffed rice paper tteokbokki made by @thekoreanvegan

Newton Nguyen (@newt)

Staying true to his Vietnamese roots, San Jose native Newton Nguyen (simply known as “Newt” on TikTok) creates videos of homemade Vietnamese dishes.

One of Newt’s recent Vietnamese dishes, bò kho, is a braised tender beef stew with carrots and various spices, and is typically eaten with a baguette. Packed with close-up shots of the creation of the stew and jokes from Newt, this video can make viewers feel as if they’re cooking a warm stew for the chilly fall weather with a funny friend.

Bò kho (Vietnamese beef stew) made by @newt

Quincy’s Tavern (@quincylk)

For those who need a quick pick-me-up and a listening ear, Quincy’s Tavern is the perfect place to travel to during the autumn season. In Quincy’s Tavern, owner, bartender and chef Quincy concocts magical drinks and dishes with cottage-core and steampunk decor while giving advice to weary viewers or “travelers.”

Viewers can “order” the latest item on Quincy’s Tavern’s menu: mushroom “shroom” creme soup. Served in a mushroom-style cup, this creamy thick soup with caramelized onions and mushrooms could leave viewers feeling safe and cozy.

The coziness that comes with the fall season involves sharing food, memories and stories.

For those who need an aunt’s advice and homemade food, or a friend who can crack jokes while cracking eggs for a 1970s recipe, these TikTok creators can hopefully make viewers feel a bit more at home.

Mushroom “shroom” creme soup made by @quincylk