As one of the premier studio production companies in New York, Broadway Stages works to meet the growing needs of the film and TV industry while also focusing on the needs of our community. We provide the industry with a soundstage or location where they shoot their scenes, but they also need a skilled and experienced workforce. In this series, we look at the various jobs that make a production come to life. We hope it provides insight and encourages you to consider a career in the film and TV industry. This week, we look at the role of food stylist.

What Does a Food Stylist Do?

In previous posts, we looked at the props-related art department roles of props manager and animal trainer. An area of props that is integral to our daily lives and so often important to telling a story on screen is food. In this post, we focus on the industry role that is responsible for the food seen on screen in TV and film productions. Read on for an overview of the role of food stylist.  

Depending on the production, the responsibility for the food seen on screen might be handled by the props master or a separate food stylist. During pre-production, the food stylist will review the script for food-related scenes and conduct research on any unique aspects of the food, such as historical or geographical context. In addition to the props master, the stylist works with the director and department heads. Responsibilities of food stylists can include sourcing and preparing food (by themselves or along with team members) and replenishing or resetting food during filming to maintain continuity. Also, food stylists might need to provide instruction to cast members who will work with food on screen. In this Backstage interview, food stylist Christine Tobin (“Julia,” and “Little Women”) describes the food stylist role and provides advice for aspiring food stylists. (Fans can read more about the set and cooking on “Julia” in this Variety piece,” and movie buffs can watch this Vanity Fair video in which Food Stylist Susan Spungen [“Julie & Julia,” Eat, Pray, Love”] reviews food scenes from a number of films).

How Do I Become a Food Stylist?

It goes without saying that food stylists need to possess culinary knowledge, as well as a knowledge of food safety. They also need to be organized and possess good communication skills as they meet production schedules and work with others. Creativity and an ability to solve problems are skills a food stylist needs, to find solutions to the unique issues that come up from production to production. Also, the food stylist should possess an ability to produce items that are edible and can hold up to the conditions of filming. Watch this Movies Insider video interview showing how food was handled in the movie “Midsommar,” including how Chef and Food Stylist Zoe Hegedus found a way to accommodate the negative effects of heat, as well as cast member egg allergies, by creating an edible product that looks just like eggs yolks.

Culinary school is not necessary but can be helpful to learn relevant skills. Food industry experience and networking will help in this career path. Tobin says, “Getting as much exposure and experiences assisting other stylists was my greatest tool, as was working in restaurants for a solid 20 years….I’d also get in touch with the property masters in your community to introduce yourself and show how you’d be an asset to their team.”

As we all know, Sunday family dinners are a key feature of “Blue Bloods,” the long-running CBS series filmed here at Broadway Stages. Take a look at this CBS piece to see 14 Of The Best Blue Bloods Family Dinner Moments. Read this CBS Watch Magazine article that features “’Blue Bloods prop master Zach Badalucco and freelance recipe developer and caterer Treva Chadwell, the creative and culinary masterminds behind the legendary food and dinner scenes” (the article tells us that “Chadwell, a classically trained chef, and her husband, John, have been preparing food for “Blue Bloods” since Season 3. Former owners of the now-closed BeeHive Oven restaurant, they work with Badalucco to ensure meals reflect scripts and scenes.”). Also check out this 2015 article in The Virginian-Pilot that includes an interview Prop Master Jim Lillis and mentions Broadway Stages and the Chadwells. 

Learn about film and TV industry jobs, training, and more in the Broadway Stages’ Industry Resource Guide. Our guide provides information about industry-focused job posting sites; links to general recruiting sites; education and training programs; and state, city, and borough industry information.