DOWN TO THE BA SICS:
New chefs cook up inspiration from TikTok
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ost college students have little free time in their schedules. Between classes, homework and jobs or internships, a lot stands in the way of their ability to develop new skills like cooking. In the search for fast, easy information, many have turned to TikTok as a quick way to learn. TikTok "is a much more digestible way to consume food media,” said Kelly Scott, an alumna of The Culinary Institute of America and owner of the TikTok account @kellyscleankitchen. “You don’t have to sit through long YouTube videos and can get to the good stuff much quicker.” @Kellyscleankitchen teaches viewers how to cook, targeting beginners with its “Basics of Cooking” series, in which Scott reviews techniques that some may not know how to do, such as how to cut different foods and how to cook them correctly. She even talks about pointers that many are not taught and often overlook, like how to hold a cutting knife. Her TikTok account has amassed 185,900 followers and has received an overwhelmingly positive response from fans. When Scott is told by her viewers that they have successfully followed one of her videos, it “makes [her] day,” as her goal is to make cooking seem “less intimidating” for beginners. Scott’s videos not only showcase
By Jillian Tkaczyk
technique, but also focus on the background of the technique. “I feel like the most important thing to provide is the ‘why’ behind it... because then it's actually educating versus just copying," she said. Describing how Scott would have benefitted from someone teaching her the basics when she was in college, she commended the TikTok food community for “helping tons of college students who have limited resources for cooking, whether that be lower cost items or dealing with a lack of a kitchen.” Content creators across TikTok using their platforms to offer beginners an unworried start highlights the importance of easily accessible information for the public, as well as how TikTok can inspire users to learn skills that they otherwise would not have thought about, or would have struggled to learn on their own. Serena Torres, a Hofstra University junior, is a TV studies production major and social media influencer. She uses social media as an emotional and creative outlet, as well as a way to spread positivity. “#Posivibes is a phrase I started saying in high school and everyone loved it so I decided to make it my motto,” Torres said. “Positive vibes, to me, is anything that makes me happy: a painting, a small conversation with my grandma or simply the color pink.” PULSE 12
Torres emphasized how important it is to spread correct information on social media and use platforms to make a difference, as influencer’s content is “art that moves another person." In 2020, she created a small campaign for the Black Lives Matter movement in which she and 14 others ran 8.46 miles to honor George Floyd after his death. While she is involved in activism, her content is a mix of education and entertainment. She posts TikToks covering topics such as fashion and beverage reviews. A popular sub-genre that has acquired a large community is informational cooking videos, which heavily interest Torres. “I thoroughly enjoy cooking videos on TikTok,” she said. “TikTok provides a lot of inspiration when I’m looking to cook. I’m not going to sit and look through a book — I’m trying to quickly see if I like something enough to try.” Torres goes by @spupcake on all social media, including her TikTok, where she recently posted a video of her making a ham and cheese sandwich. As a full-time student, she does not have access to a kitchen, but would like to enter the cooking side of TikTok more. She plans to make more content following recipes when she gets her own kitchen, so stay tuned. Hofsta sophomore TJ Cerasi credits Sunder’s account, among others, as the
