To eat or not to eat: Is the food on TV shows real.

To eat or not to eat: Is the food on TV shows real. Photo: Byron Cohen/Hulu

To eat or not to eat: Is the food on TV shows real?

(Partner Content) Many of us have wondered if the food used on the set of our favourite TV shows is indeed real – do they eat actual food, is it staged or how much pretence is involved? If they do not eat, then what happens to all the food used during filming, does it go to waste? That would be a shame!

To eat or not to eat: Is the food on TV shows real.

To eat or not to eat: Is the food on TV shows real. Photo: Byron Cohen/Hulu

We went on a quest to find answers to these pressing questions and also learnt about a relatively unknown, but lucrative occupation called food styling. 

Two Broke Girls, Friends and Bridgerton, to name a few, represent TV shows no one can  arguably watch without wishing they could also enjoy a chocolate milkshake, chicken salad or freshly baked blueberry muffins. In addition, the food we see actors and extras alike eating always looks so good on TV, bringing about the urge to also want to enjoy the same snacks or meals as you’re watching. 

Perhaps, an argument can be made that there’s just something about watching others eat that also makes one hungry. If you are one of those, you can grab an array of assorted snacks as well as deliciously prepared ‘heat and eat’ meals from your local stores. Big range of products like this you can find in Woolworths, Boxer, Makro and others.

Table 1.0: Heat and Eat 

ProductPrice/ Savings
Beef LasagneR109.99
Whole ChickenR59.99/kg
Hot Pies3 for R55
Bulk Prepared Veg SidesBuy any 2 and save 20%

Source:  Woolworths online catalogue

Back to the big question, do actors really eat the food that we see them have access to in multiple scenes of a TV show? The delightful answer is yes. Various sources have confirmed that 95% of the time actors do indeed eat all the delicious food that we see them being served, or pretending to cook in shows. However, it can get tricky depending on the script or point of any particular scene. For example, if multiple takes are required for a specific scene, it is said that actors typically have to spit out the food to avoid getting too full over the course of multiple takes. 

I believe you will be happy to know that none of the food we see on TV shows actually goes to waste because it is often carefully sourced, paid for and the result of the hard work of a food stylist. To ensure nothing gets wasted, the entire crew is said to have access after the scene that requires the food is complete. In some instances, it has been noted that actors might choose not to eat beforehand so that they are able to enjoy what they are given on set, or if the scene does not allow for proper eating, they ask for the food to be saved for later when they are done filming. 

Sometimes, like in the show Bridgerton, where the display of food is usually extravagant, how the food looks and is translated to the audience is regarded as too important to be left to anyone other than a seasoned food stylist. In most cases, even in the scenes where a simple plate of food is filmed, a food stylist has usually put in the time and creativity needed to make the food look artistic and aesthetically pleasing.

Food stylist Jennifer Joyce says that her job involves creating irresistible visuals that will make audiences want to lick their screens. According to Joyce, food styling is a very taxing job requiring long hours, and sometimes, on your feet. When tasked with an idea such as the consideration of multiple takes during filming, several hours are required to source ingredients and to set-up various angles from which the food can get captured on camera. Food stylists also need to be aware of any allergies or religious dietary preferences of all actors on set so as to avoid any health scares or violations. 

So, there we have it. There is no longer a need to wonder about the fate of the food that we see being served on our favourite TV shows.