Crafting Edible Art: The Story Behind My Food Styling Journey
Turning ingredients into emotions, and dishes into stories.
Food styling isn’t just about making food look beautiful — it’s about giving flavor a visual identity. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of India’s most inspiring culinary brands, transforming dishes into stories that speak to the senses. Each project reflects my belief that food is more than nourishment — it’s emotion, memory, and art combined.
How Did My Food Styling Journey Begin?
I’m Jyoti Khengale, a passionate food stylist based in India. My journey began with a deep fascination for how light, texture, and color could bring life to food. From experimenting with home-cooked meals to styling for commercial brands, every project taught me that food styling is not just about presentation — it’s storytelling through visuals.
Those early years shaped my signature approach: elegant, authentic, and emotion-driven. My focus has always been on making food look relatable yet aspirational — something that feels real but also irresistible.
What Have Been My Most Memorable Projects?
Each brand collaboration has been a unique story of creativity and passion. Some of my most cherished projects include:
- Wagh Bakri Tea – Styled a heartwarming visual campaign centered around tea-time moments, capturing the comfort and togetherness that every cup of Wagh Bakri represents.
- Good Flippin’ Burger – Created drool-worthy visuals highlighting their handcrafted burgers, emphasizing the freshness, texture, and bold flavors that make their brand stand out.
- Maggi – Worked on recipe-focused shoots that brought to life the nostalgia and homely charm of Maggi noodles, capturing the joy of simple, comforting food.
- Lays India – Styled high-energy snack campaigns that celebrated fun, friendship, and flavor, with a vibrant approach to colors, props, and textures.
- Dark Fantasy – Designed rich, indulgent frames for dessert campaigns that showcased the luxury and decadence behind every bite of Dark Fantasy treats.
Each collaboration helped refine my craft — balancing artistic vision with the brand’s personality to create visuals that connect instantly with audiences.
What Is My Creative Process Behind the Scenes?
Every project begins with a storyboard and emotion. I start by understanding the brand’s essence — whether it’s nostalgia, luxury, or playfulness — and then translate that into visuals. From selecting the right props and backgrounds to experimenting with lighting and plating, every element is carefully chosen to tell a cohesive story.
Collaboration is key — I work closely with photographers, chefs, and creative teams to ensure every frame captures both taste and feeling. Whether it’s steam rising from a hot cup of chai or the shine on a perfectly glazed pastry, my goal is to make the viewer crave the experience, not just the food.
What Inspires Me Every Day?
My inspiration comes from India’s diverse food culture — from the colors of a street-side chaat stall to the calm elegance of a fine-dining table. I find beauty in everyday food moments and draw creative energy from markets, cafés, and the constant evolution of culinary trends.
Food styling, for me, is a way of preserving emotions — the warmth of homemade food, the excitement of new flavors, and the universal comfort of good food shared with loved ones.
Closing Thoughts
Through my journey as a food stylist, I’ve learned that great styling goes beyond aesthetics — it’s about evoking emotion and creating connection. Each project I take on is a new opportunity to craft visual stories that celebrate the essence of food.
As I continue to collaborate with leading brands and creators across India, my passion remains the same — to turn every dish into a piece of edible art.
📍 To explore my portfolio and latest projects, visit www.jyotifoodstylish.com.
