Meet Our Guest 'Grammer of the Week: @Bibiography

Each week we’re teaming up with a popular food-stagrammer who will take over our Instagram feed and fill it with their own delicious pics. This weekend on #TastyTakeovers, Bangkok food and prop stylist Bibi Tanya, also known as @bibiography, is our guest. Learn her secrets for taking delicious photos in the Q&A below and head over to @YahooFood on Instagram to watch her foodie adventures unfold all weekend long.

Bangkok food and prop stylist Bibi Tanya. (Photo: Bibi Tanya)

Name/Instagram Handle: Bibi Tanya/@bibiography

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m a freelance food and prop stylist based in Bangkok, Thailand. I went to school for interior architecture and switched careers to graphic design and then finally ended up as a food stylist.

What first got you interested in food and photography? Where do you draw inspiration from?

I always loved food when I was young, I would always be helping my mom cook in the kitchen. She cooks the best comfort food ever! When I began working as a graphic designer at a magazine, I got a chance to photograph food for restaurant review columns. I think that’s the point where I combined my passion for food and photography. After that, I went to New York for a food styling internship with The Jewels Of New York for three months. I got a lot of inspiration there.

Vegan chia blueberry muffins. (Photo: Bibi Tanya)

How do you take your photos (with a camera or phone)? What are your favorite photo editing tools and/or tips for taking exceptional food photos? Give us the scoop!

I mostly use my iPhone6 with a little bit touched up by VSCO. Sometimes I just only use the basic filter on Instagram to brighten or sharpen photos. Almost all of them are taken under natural light, that always helps food look more delicious.

What makes Bangkok a great food city?

Thai food is really vibrant and has a lot of variety in flavors. There are plenty of local products from colorful tropical fruits and vegetables to local herbs and spices. You can also find food anywhere and anytime in Bangkok. We have street food everywhere and many of the restaurants open late. If you’re a big foodie, you will love Bangkok.

On set styling a Thai dish called som-tum for the Bangkok Post. (Photo: Bibi Tanya)

Who are three of your favorite Instagrammers? What do you like about them?

Diana Yen from @jewelsofny, I used to work with her and I really like the way she creates food. Her perspective with food is not only about taste, but also about their shapes, colors, and textures. I also like Beth Kirby @local_milk and all her dark, natural tones in her photos. The art direction, props, food, and everything in her feed are cohesive and beautiful. Moreover, Marta Greber @whatforbreakfast is really great too. Everything she cooks look so delicious and I sometimes get a lot of breakfast inspiration from her as well.

What do you enjoy about Instagram compared to other online communities?

It’s very easy to use and understand. We can also connect with anyone in the world that are sharing the same passion and lifestyle. It’s always a great inspiration too.

What’s the best thing you’ve eaten recently?

I have an upcoming project in the end of this year. It’s a barbecue restaurant we are opening called Meat & Bones and at the moment we are testing our menu. The best dish is the beef ribs that have been roasted for nine hours. It’s really awesome.

Meat and Bones is a barbecue restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand that serves slow cooked beef ribs. (Photo: Bibi Tanya)

If you could throw a dream dinner party for anyone—living or dead—who would they be and what would you cook for them?

Such a difficult question! Maybe one of my favorite singers from the past, like Ella Fitzgerald. I’d want her to try my beef ribs and maybe I’ll have a chance to hear her sing at the dinner party, too.

What’s the best dish you’ve ever made or the dish that you’re known for?

Recently, I’ve been creating beautiful big brunch spreads using the leftover stuff from the kitchen. The dishes are always with eggs, toast, vegetables, and fruits.

Brunch spread of mushroom tarts, tomatoes, and fresh berries. (Photo: Bibi Tanya)

And last but not least—what’s your favorite food (if you had to pick one)?

I would have to be my mom’s vegetable stew. I bet I could eat it for a whole week straight. It’s a very healthy combination of vegetables, cabbage, onions, carrots and sometimes she simmers spare ribs or bone marrow in it for hours.

For more drool-worthy Insta pics, visit our Instagram board on Pinterest and get to pinning!

Meet more ‘grammers from our past takeovers:

Halloween takeover with Cara Reed of @Forkandbeans

Photographer and Stylist Kari Young behind @Meatballssmama

Paola Holthausen of the blog Cravings In Amsterdam