Food styling is where culinary technique. It is a medium of visual storytelling.
Of course, the books and online food styling courses can give you good insight into the concepts. But imagine how immersive it would be to enroll in one of the offline hands-on food styling workshops. You will be in a studio setting with the tools, and actually styling food with professionals by your side.
Hands-on food styling workshops offer an immersive, tactile experience. Unfortunately, it is often absent when learning from textbooks or screen-based tutorials. So, if you want to up your plating game, then here is what to expect from these in-person sessions.
Read here to know in-detail the in-person vs online food styling classes pros and cons.
Immersive Learning Experience
The theoretical or online learning, usually the self-paced modules teach you from a distance. On the contrary, the hands-on workshops throw you right in the thick of the matter. You are not there to just absorb passively any information. Instead, you use real ingredients, you test out your compositions, adjust your lighting setups, and find out how just a shift in garnishing can convey the feel of the whole frame. This whole immediate application of learning makes its retention easier.
However, this does not mean all online courses offer a poor experience. Check out our list of comprehensive online food styling courses, where we have rounded up internet’s best.
Industry-Grade Tools and Props
As the name implies, one may expect to visit the studio and use equipment of professional quality. Styling tweezers, spray bottles, and mashed potatoes disguised as ice cream (did you know that?), and many more. A workshop allows participants to try switching between various camera setups, backgrounds, props, and natural/artificial lighting. Such flexibility is often missing otherwise.
This environment allows you to:
- grasp more on texture, temperature, and contrast in food styling
- learn to keep freshness of the food during long commercial shoots
- exploit steam stimulation, controlled melting, and edible glues techniques
Mentorship and Feedback
Direct mentorship by an experienced food stylist or photographer is the greatest benefit of a workshop. You get to ask questions and receive answers on the spot; observations of professionals at work benefit you very much. You can also be privy to some insider tips and tricks, including using motor oil in place of syrup for slow drips and pinning ingredients in place to hold height.
Live feedback will give you insights which will allow you to correct common mistakes such as: over-styling, forgetting negative spaces of a plate, and so on; as well as “flattening a visual hierarchy” of the dish that is quite an advanced terminology for a beginner to absorb in one sitting.
With Team Collaborations
Food styling rarely becomes a solo effort. More often than not, it is a collaborative effort. Usually, food stylists work with:
- chefs
- editors
- art directors
- photographers
If you have a small budget, and want to do it all by yourself, you can consider enrolling in the following courses:
- Best food photography courses: to photograph your food better.
- Best cooking courses: a well-cooked dish is easier to style and present.
- Best food photography and styling courses: combination courses to master both photography and styling.
These workshops replicate the atmosphere of collaboration. They may put you in teams to style a particular dish and subsequently coordinate with each other on lighting, plating, or storytelling. This is pretty much a mini-production in itself.
This teaches valuable soft skills like:
- working under time pressure
- communicating creative ideas
- adapting quickly when a shot isn’t working
Portfolio Development Opportunities
Most workshops end with a portfolio review stage. You’ll shoot your final styled food under professional lighting, often accompanied by food photographers. These glam photos become an asset if you begin internships, pitch clients, or grow your own personal brand. Sometimes, professional photos from the workshop itself are added to your portfolio — a major perk.
FAQs
1. Does one require some prior experience in order to be allowed into a hands-on food styling workshop?
Not at all. Most workshops accommodate beginners and work their way through the basics. Anyway, if you read up on some basics of food styling, you will definitely get a little more out of the session.
2. What should I have on me while attending a workshop?
Almost all workshops provide you with styling tools and props. Still, it is never a bad idea to carry a notebook and your phone or camera if photography is involved. Also, wear something comfortable because there will be much standing involved.
3. Will I get certification?
Depends. But most do offer a certification.
Read how food styling certification can benefit your career.
4. Are we allowed to shoot pictures of our styled food during the workshop?
Yes! It is strongly encouraged to photograph your work for portfolio purposes or social media postings. Some workshops would even arrange for a professional shoot.
5. Which one is better, hands-on workshops or online courses?
They’re both distinct.
Workshops comprise hands-on practice and instant feedback, making it a perfect option for tactile learners. Online courses, on the other hand, are more flexible and theory-based. They are ideal for beginners or those wishing to study in their own time.
