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Food Stylist's Handbook, The Hardcover – September 1, 2010

by Denise Vivaldo (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 341 ratings
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Acclaimed food stylist Denise Vivaldo shares the tips and secrets of the trade with cooks who want to become master stylists. It takes a steady hand to arrange the chocolate curls and drizzle the caramel sauce in elaborate designs on top of that sumptuous tiered cake. Whether for food blogs, television, books, magazines, movies, menus, or advertising, food stylists and photographers learn to slice, plate, tweak, and arrange so the dish becomes less a bit of food and more the work of an artisan.

Find out:

  • How to get started
  • What equipment you'll need
  • How to find clients
  • Insider tips and tricks
  • What you don't know about cooking shows!

Denise Vivaldo has been a food stylist in Los Angeles for twenty-five years. Originally a professionally trained chef catering in Hollywood, Vivaldo was discovered by Aaron Spelling and put to work on his television shows building food presentations for the camera. Her company, Food Fanatics, styles food for cookbooks, packaging, television, and film. The Food Stylist's Handbook is her sixth book.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    264 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Gibbs Smith
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 2010
  5. Dimensions
    9 x 1.25 x 10.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1423606035
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1423606031
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

In this weighty manual by Denise Vivaldo, longtime Los Angeles food stylist and food -styling business owner, aims to educate prospective food stylists about the industry. The book mostly focuses on the business aspects of the industry, such as what is expected at a styling job for a magazine image versus a television cooking show.

Vivaldo teaches readers how to write a press release, business plan, and contract of work. One hundred pages of the book do contain food-styling instructions. Bacon, for example, should be arranged across a wire rack or weaved on a wooden skewer before cooking to achieve a crispy, curled look. Salads should be arranged leaf by leaf. Make coffee appear hot by spooning detergent bubbles into the cup, and always make your own "ice cream" with a recipe of shortening, powered sugar, and corn starch. Although the styling section is interesting, the tricks used to make a food look appetizing are useless if the stylist does not know how to prepare the food item in the first place. Therefore, this book is best for a person who is already has a high competency in culinary arts.

(Megan Just Sacramento Book Review 2011-12-09)

From the Inside Flap

Denise Vivaldo

"What a successful food stylist does is help produce a photo that sells a dream, brand, product, sandwich, plate, lifestyle, chef, or restaurant. We style everything and anything connected to food. Think of it this way: every picture tells and sells a story."

The secret world of food styling comes into focus in this handbook for chefs, artists, and food lovers who want to make the transition to food styling. Learn how to turn banal food into ambrosia before the camera's eye. Master the tricks of the trade to keep food looking fresh and mouth-wateringly delicious, even after hours on the set.

Denise Vivaldo has been a food stylist in Los Angeles for twenty-five years. Originally a professionally trained chef catering in Hollywood, Vivaldo was discovered by Aaron Spelling and put to work on his television shows building food presentations for the camera. Her company, Denise Vivaldo Group, Inc., styles food for cookbooks, packaging, television, and film. Vivaldo won the 2010 IACP Award of Excellence for food styling. The Food Stylist's Handbook is her sixth book.

A former art director and graphic designer, Cindie Flannigan manages marketing and communications for Food Fanatics, develops and tests recipes, and styles food for film and print. She teaches food styling classes and workshops in Los Angeles through the Culinary Entrepreneurship Program, along with plating and presentation seminars through the St. Joseph Center in Venice, California.

Front cover photograph by Jon Edwards, courtesy of Bristol Farms.
Back cover photographs: left top and bottom by Jon Edwards, courtesy of Elizabeth Tenhouten; right top by and courtesy of Heather Winters; right bottom by and courtesy of Jon Edwards.
Jacket Design by Debra McQuiston

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gibbs Smith; 53860th edition (September 1, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1423606035
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1423606031
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 1.25 x 10.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 341 ratings

About the authors

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Previous page
  1. Denise Vivaldo

    Denise Vivaldo

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    A classically trained chef, Denise founded Food Fanatics in 1988, a catering, recipe-development, and food-styling firm based in Los Angeles, California. In 2012 Denise rebranded her company as the Denise Vivaldo Group.

    As a consultant, food stylist, and culinary producer with over 30 years experience, Denise has helped with numerous television productions, infomercials, food manufacturers, grocery stores chains, restaurants, publishers, authors and celebrities with their projects and products.

    Denise is a popular contributing blogger to the Huffington Post as well as her own blog, Denise Vivaldo Blogs. She also teaches food styling, catering and cooking classes and workshops in a multitude of locations across the country and internationally. She has been a featured guest expert on many television shows.

    Denise is the author of eight books:

    The Food Styling Handbook, winner of numerous awards and considered to be the food styling bible. New edition Spring 2017!

    How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business, which has sold more than 150,000 copies and is in its 6th edition.

    How to Start a Home-Based Personal Chef Business, now in it’s 2nd edition.

    The Entertaining Encyclopedia, and its companion book Perfect Table Settings.

    Do It For Less! Parties, and Do It For Less! Weddings, entertaining books with quantity recipes.

    The Top 100 Napkin Folds.

    Visit Denise's websites for more information:

    www.DeniseVivaldo.com Culinary consulting services

    www.DeniseVivaldoGroup.com Food styling, recipe testing, cookbook consulting, and more!

    www.CulinaryEntrepreneurship.com Food styling classes

    www.DeniseVivaldoBlogs.com Denise's culinary blog

    See more on the author's page
  2. Cindie Flannigan

    Cindie Flannigan

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
341 global ratings
"In the end, it's playing with your food!" Denise Vivaldo. Who doesn't want to play with their food?
5 Stars
"In the end, it's playing with your food!" Denise Vivaldo. Who doesn't want to play with their food?
"Hundred of Media Styling Tips, Tricks and Secrets" . . .? More like THOUSANDS. Wow. My book arrived Tuesday and I can't put it down. The photos are spectacular (duh?) but even more so, the tips, tricks and secrets just keep coming, page after page. I am not sure I have ever seen professionals share so much of their trade, but I am glad they did. Thank you Denise Vivaldo for sharing your career of excellence with us all, and thanks to Cindie Flannigan for helping you through the process. "In the end, it's playing with your food!" In a world gone mad, doesn't playing with my food sounds incredibly enticing? I can't wait to get some great photos for both of my businesses. You know those friends whose Instagram photos make you nuts ('cause they're so bad)? Well here's their birthday/Christmas gift. We can all up our food photo game now!
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Top reviews from the United States

Cherie Mercer Twohy
5.0 out of 5 stars YES, Yes!
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2010
Verified Purchase
just received my copy, and denise vivaldo owes me some tylenol pm. could not put it down last night--so much great info, not only on how to get the glossy, "bon app" cover look for your photos, but how to get started, how to run a business and so much more. all delivered in an ultra-approachable, funny and real style, which is exactly denise's personality. (full disclosure--i took a food styling and photography workshop with the divine ms d and company earlier this year. if you have a chance, do this!)
another reviewer mentioned the delores custer book, which i also own, and i think that is a great one, too. thank goodness there are more volumes on this subject now. but the food stylist's handbook is the one i will refer to over and over. so much practical, real-world advice, in such an approachable writing style. i only wish it had been available a few months earlier, when i was styling the food for my second cookbook. oh well, i guess i'll have to write another one so i can put these great tricks to use!
i recommend approaching this book like you approach a high end brunch buffet. browse through for a quick overview, zero in on the goodies that appeal to you most and start with those, then return again and again until you are completely satisfied. it's a delicious book for anyone with an interest in food styling, and it's the one i will carry in my kit!
10 people found this helpful
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Chris Caldes - Food Stylist, Denver
5.0 out of 5 stars Most Important Tool in Your Kit!!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2010
Verified Purchase
My first comment to Denise when I read this book at her workshop in July was, "this book would have changed the course of my career in food styling"...and it is absolutely true.
5 years ago when I started, I looked for and used a variety of resources, but still I felt like I was sifting through snippets of information from old books and the web to determine what was truly a resource and what was no longer relevant in the age of the digital camera. And as far as the business side of things, I just winged it. It also felt like stylists were loath to reveal the secret "tricks of the trade" in print.

Not only are the tricks revealed in this book they are ILLUSTRATED!

This book has it ALL. Whether you are just starting and have questions about how to actually style food, build a kit and find clients, or you are trying to figure out how to take it to the next level, this book will help. Absolutely invaluable...buy this book and earn the money back in spades by not wasting your precious time, money and resources figuring it out yourself.

While I'm at it, take a workshop with Cindie and Denise. Cindie is a master at the craft and Denise is hilarious, warm-hearted and truly holds the value of elevating individual stylists and the industry as a whole by sharing her vast experience, knowledge and resources. My investment was returned a month later when she referred me a job in my area.
7 people found this helpful
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Cookie lady
4.0 out of 5 stars Food stylist
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2010
Verified Purchase
I was disappointed in this book only because I was looking for food styling tips of which there is minimal direction. This is an excellent book for someone who would like to become a food stylist as it gives ample instruction and advice as to how to set up a stylist company, how to break into the business, etc. However, I was looking for a book more directed toward styling the food, rather than the business end of it. I did pick up a few helpful tips, but based on the title, thought there would be much more. This book should be entitled, How to Start A Food Stylist Business.
75 people found this helpful
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Robin King
5.0 out of 5 stars "In the end, it's playing with your food!" Denise Vivaldo. Who doesn't want to play with their food?
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2017
Verified Purchase
"Hundred of Media Styling Tips, Tricks and Secrets" . . .? More like THOUSANDS. Wow. My book arrived Tuesday and I can't put it down. The photos are spectacular (duh?) but even more so, the tips, tricks and secrets just keep coming, page after page. I am not sure I have ever seen professionals share so much of their trade, but I am glad they did. Thank you Denise Vivaldo for sharing your career of excellence with us all, and thanks to Cindie Flannigan for helping you through the process. "In the end, it's playing with your food!" In a world gone mad, doesn't playing with my food sounds incredibly enticing? I can't wait to get some great photos for both of my businesses. You know those friends whose Instagram photos make you nuts ('cause they're so bad)? Well here's their birthday/Christmas gift. We can all up our food photo game now!
Customer image
Robin King
5.0 out of 5 stars "In the end, it's playing with your food!" Denise Vivaldo. Who doesn't want to play with their food?
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2017
"Hundred of Media Styling Tips, Tricks and Secrets" . . .? More like THOUSANDS. Wow. My book arrived Tuesday and I can't put it down. The photos are spectacular (duh?) but even more so, the tips, tricks and secrets just keep coming, page after page. I am not sure I have ever seen professionals share so much of their trade, but I am glad they did. Thank you Denise Vivaldo for sharing your career of excellence with us all, and thanks to Cindie Flannigan for helping you through the process. "In the end, it's playing with your food!" In a world gone mad, doesn't playing with my food sounds incredibly enticing? I can't wait to get some great photos for both of my businesses. You know those friends whose Instagram photos make you nuts ('cause they're so bad)? Well here's their birthday/Christmas gift. We can all up our food photo game now!
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13 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved This Book!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
Very useful information! The authors are knowledgeable and good at what they do So many great tips and ideas! Can’t wait to really dive in!
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Party Girl
3.0 out of 5 stars Informative, but...
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book has some decent advice for aspiring food stylists. However, in an effort to be realistic about how tough the job is, the author told a lot of stories about negative experiences that, quite frankly, made me want to run in the other direction. For example, she talks about how it's almost impossible to make a living as a food stylist. Then she cites several scenarios where clients were unfriendly, if not downright abusive. Not very encouraging.
11 people found this helpful
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Nash Black
5.0 out of 5 stars Business or Pleasure of Food
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2011
Verified Purchase
THE FOOD STYLIST'S HANDBOOK by Denise Vivaldo was written to provide aid for those wanting to enter the business of creating pictures of good food as a career. It is a lovely volume and I've only marked techniques with little Post Ems instead of highlighting and underlining as I do in other books.
This title is a reference book which you dip into on a need to know bases.
The foods presented are the ordinary kind that any worker with food will encounter. The business tips and instructions are valuable if one is serious about food styling as a profession.
Enjoy, but remember this is not a title devoted to technique and craft.
Nash Black, author of SANDPRINTS OF DEATH.
5 people found this helpful
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chef
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely invaluable in the field 🥰
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
Highly valued and recommend!!! I have the older edition in paperback and I just snagged this digital updated version. Great tips and tricks as always but the best way to get the most out of this book is to join the Food Stylist Handbook group (free) on Facebook. You can ask questions, learn from others and have Denise and and Cindie comment on your work.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Marco S
5.0 out of 5 stars Lleno de recursos
Reviewed in Mexico on November 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Este libro me sorprendió en la cantidad de recursos que tienen para convertir al lector en un food stylist. Inmejorable la serie de páginas dedicadas a mostrar todas las herramientas que se deben tener. Desde el día uno me dio la receta que tanto busqué: hacer helado que parezca real.
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AmazonVictim
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo libro per food stylist
Reviewed in Italy on December 23, 2018
Verified Purchase
Darei una recensione negativa solo per limitarne la vendita e il relativo vantaggio alle competitor.
Un libro fantastico pieno di trucchi per conservare e migliorare il cibo nelle foto, ha una grande parte dedicata alla gestione del business come food stylist.
Non parla di fotografia, se volete imparare a fotografare il cibo da zero lasciate perdere, questo libro é troppo avanzato.
Se siete blogger lasciate perdere, non potreste mangiare vi che fotografate data la chimica spesso utilizzata.
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Alex
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great book
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Raffaele
5.0 out of 5 stars il miglior libro
Reviewed in Italy on February 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
ottimo libro. vale piu di altri che costano 50 volte di piu
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Allain Solis
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy útil
Reviewed in Mexico on August 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Muy útil.
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