YouTube, the world’s largest video streaming platform, has always been my go-to platform when I need video content for my journalism work.
It helped me a lot, especially when I focused on entertainment journalism years ago. I’ve done a lot of music data work over the years, and the truth is, without YouTube, it would have been difficult for me. While working as the Head of Research for 3Music Awards and Entertainment Editor at Pulse Ghana, I used a lot of YouTube data for almost everything.
But things turned around quickly when I switched to general news and travel blogging in late 2021. Due to the nature of my work, I easily get stressed and depressed. My work is much tenser on busy days. For this reason, I could go weeks without talking to anyone or picking up phone calls.
Luckily, I picked a new hobby that has served as an antidote for my stress. I love food (even though I hate taking in a huge chunk at a time), which is why I have developed a fondness for YouTube food channels.
When I’m at my low point, these 11 food channels on YouTube below bring back my life.
N.B: This list isn’t based on any particular metric or rakings; they are my favourite channels. Also, none of the channels listed is sponsored. This is my travel blog, so I guess I can share my personal stuff with the rest of the world.
Feel free to reach out to me via Twitter @davidmawuli if your favourite channel is not included in this list.
1. Best Ever Food Review Show
Subscribers: 9.6 Million
Country of Origin: United States
Channel Link: @BestEverFoodReviewShow
Best Ever Food Review Show is owned by US-born travel and food vlogger and critic Sonny Side who is now based in Vietnam with his wedded wife and the rest of his team.
Sonny travels worldwide searching for dainties that need to be covered in the food and tourism business. I started following him in 2021, and I haven’t regretted it. Sonny has covered everything from the most delicious to bizarre (a call it unique) delicacies. Also, he has a strong stomach; I can bet my last penny on that.
2. Victoria in the Kitchen
Subscribers: 1.1 Million
Country of Origin: Ukraine
Channel Link: @Victoriainthekitchen
Victoria Zhebko is a Ukrainian food vlogger and chef who creates simple yet delicious-looking local cuisines. She is the creator of the ‘Victoria in the Kitchen’ channel and has made some amazing regional cuisines with unique recipes over the years.
Unlike Sonny Side, who runs commentary throughout his videos, Victoria keeps mute but shares her recipes in her captions.
3. Wilderness Cooking
Subscribers: 4.1 Million
Country of Origin: Azerbaijan
Channel Link: @WILDERNESSCOOKING
Tavakkul, an Azerbaijani food vlogger, is the brain behind the ‘Wilderness Cooking’ YouTube channel. He lives in a high-mountain village called Qamarvan with his family.
Every week, Tavakkhul, 48, shares some unique recipes and mouthwatering local cuisines. His video angles and his serene environment make his videos top-notch.
And oh, in most of his videos, he invites kids living in his village and serves them the meals he prepares.
4. Georgy Kavkaz
Subscribers: 6.23 Million
Country of Origin: Russia
Channel Link: @georgikavkaz
Georgy Kavkaz is a famous Russian food vlogger known for creating unique dishes from the most serene tour sites and environments in his country. He has some secret recipes that give his food exceptional taste.
He produces both short and long (live cooking) videos. You can enjoy any of them depending on how much time you have on your hand. Both contents are amazing to watch.
He doesn’t do it alone – he has partners who have been on his food journey with him from day one. His channel is among my top 5 channels on this list.
5. Village Affairs
Subscribers: 1.01 Million
Country of Origin: Azerbaijan
Channel Link: @Kendisleri
Village Affairs channel is owned by Kend işleri, a food vlogger living in Astara City, a village on the Iran-Azerbaijan border. I love her village style of cooking and how much effort he puts into his food preparation.
6. Kanan Badalov
Subscribers: 1.33 Million
Country of Origin: Azerbaijan
Channel Link: @KananBadalovChannel
Kanan Badalov is a popular Azerbaijani food vlogger who cooks from home. He uses fresh vegetables and meat for his meals. He doesn’t speak much in his videos; however, his recipes are easy to identify.
Furthermore, he has an adorable daughter who shares his meals with him. His channel is wholesome.
7. Guga Foods
Subscribers: 4 Million
Country of Origin: United States
Channel Link: @GugaFoods
If you are a steak and dry-aged steaks fan, then the Guga Food channel was created for you – and you alone. It’s crazy how much time the Guga team spent creating unique, cheap and expensive steaks.
I’m a fan of steaks, and this channel opened my eyes to the junk I’ve been consuming outside. Wish they had a restaurant in my country.
8. The Pasta Queen
Subscribers: 850,000
Country of Origin: Italy
Channel Link: @thepastaqueen
Nadia Caterina Munno is the creator of The Pasta Queen channel. Nadia is a hilarious food critic and vlogger whose reaction videos have racked up millions of views and subscribers worldwide. She’s an expert in pasta, and her recipes have drawn millions of views over the years.
9. Country Life Vlog
Subscribers: 5 Million
Country of Origin: Azerbaijan
Channel Link: @country_life_vlog
Talk about the countryside life of a retired couple; this channel will give you all the reasons you need to live in the countryside after retirement.
Country Life Vlog is owned by an old Azerbaijani couple who prepare appetising local cuisines for their millions of subscribers. They live a simple countryside life, and that’s all the channel is about.
One may even ask why I have too many Azerbaijan on my list. Well, it’s because of how they stuff, season and marinate their meat before cooking.
10. Almazan Kitchen
Subscribers: 3.9 Million
Country of Origin: Serbia
Channel Link: @AlmazanKitchen
The Almazan Kitchen channel is owned by Serbian chef Boban Almažan and his nephew Aleksandar Almažan. The two have been living camp life for many years and sharing some amazing recipes and delicacies.
11. Mark Wiens
Subscribers: 9.6 Million
Country of Origin: Thailand
Channel Link: @MarkWiens
Mark Wiens is a Thai food vlogger and traveller who travels worldwide in search of street food and unique local dishes. He shares a similar style with Sonny Side.
He has travelled to many countries and has produced some amazing food videos for his millions of followers.
