Meet Our Guest 'Grammer of the Week: @Foodwithmichel
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, Michel Phiphak also known as Food With Michel is our guest. Learn his secret for taking delicious photos in the Q&A below and head over to @YahooFood on Instagram to watch his foodie adventures unfold all weekend long.
Name/Instagram Handle: Michel Phiphak/@foodwithmichel
Tell us a bit about yourself!
My name is Michel Phiphak. I am 28 years old and I live in Los Angeles. I currently live with my mother, father, and dog. My other interest besides food is music. I love all types of music including early jazz, motown, rock and some pop music. Exploring L.A. is always quite interesting with the people I meet, places I see and, of course, foods I eat. Oh, and I am a stage IV cancer survivor.
What first got you interested in food and photography? Where do you draw inspiration from?
My interest for food has always been there. I think everyone can mutually agree that they love food in general. While some may not care for quality or content, food is very universal. The photography came to me by chance. I didn’t set out one day thinking I would make a food blog on Instagram. My quality, time and technique just evolved over time. Instagram can mold you into a better photographer and allow you to master any shot you try to achieve.
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!
My photos are taken with my iPhone 6. The magical tool of choice for photo editing is VSCO. The filters on there will help any picture brighten and sharpen up without being too over exposed or saturated. It is extremely effective and most of the free filters will do just fine.
Smoked salmon platter and poached eggs with salmon at Urth Caffé. Photo: Instagram/foodwithmichel
Who are three of your favorite Instagrammers? What do you like about them?
@dailyfoodfeed: I met them at a night market in Orange County. The photos they post are just amazing. It is straight up hard core food porn at its finest. I have such a love for this account because it is everything I would like a food account to be if it were mine. My amount of respect for this account is tremendous because of its rapid growth and consistent original content.
@victorialoi: Victoria “Vi” Loi is a unique Instagrammer. Her feed consists mainly of fashion but does include food. Her style of fashion is on point and the mixture of food porn is just as good. She includes a lot of Korean influences with the way she lives. Her travels are astounding including her recent trip to S. Korea. The food pictures she uploaded had me saving pennies to go there myself!
@annephung: Anne is a fitness goddess. Although she probably won’t admit to it, girlfriend can eat a lot. But that is OK because she keeps it in moderation. (Except for doughnuts. She loves doughnuts apparently.) Her workout regimen definitely keeps her eating habits in check. She is a major inspiration to the community and continues to do so. Anne definitely inspires me everyday to remain positive because life can throw curveballs at you but you have to remain strong.
A tray of Zillas from Orange County’s Burntzilla —mini gourmet hot dogs on King’s Hawaiian Rolls. Photo: Instagram/foodwithmichel
What do you enjoy about Instagram compared to other online communities?
The Instagram community is more lively and active. People on Instagram are more responsive with the posts I upload and it makes it really fun for me. Local Instagramers that I connect with make the experience more fun. They understand that it’s OK to eat the food cold and that picture always comes first.
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten recently?
There is this local restaurant in Orange County. It’s called Shuck Oyster Bar. They have this delicious lobster grilled cheese and it is amazing.
The delicious lobster grilled cheese sandwich at Shuck Oyster Bar. Photo: Instagram/foodwithmichel
If you could throw a dream dinner party for any three people — living or dead — who would they be and what would you cook for them?
My dream dinner would be with Don Rickles, Shirley Manson, and Betty White.
What’s the best dish you’ve ever made or the dish that you’re known for?
To be honest, I don’t cook much. However, I recently ventured into cooking while watching Barefoot Contessa. Ina Garten has this wonderful rack of lamb recipe that took about 45 minutes from start to finish. I’ll never forget how delicious that was!
What does the new food revolution mean to you?
New food revolution means that people will try anything and everything to be inventive. Whether it’s putting ice cream inside a doughnut or creating waffle with ice cream and cereal on top, it’s all in the fun. Some say it’s novelty, but I say it’s Instaworthy. The revolution is to keep people talking and talking for years to come.
And last but not least — what’s your favorite food (if you had to pick one)?
Favorite food would be a double double from In-N-Out.
A crispy waffle with vanilla ice cream topped with Cap N Crunch cereal from The Iron Press. Photo: Instagram/foodwithmichel
Meet more ‘grammers from our past takeovers:
Brooke Bass of the blog Chocolate & Marrow
Kitchy Kitchen’s Claire Thomas and her Los Angeles Tastytakeovers
Author and Blogger Adrianna Adarme from A Cozy Kitchen
