Join us for our Open Evening at Leiths on Thursday 5th February 2026, 6:30–8:30pm, and discover how the Culinary Diploma can launch your career in food.
Join us for our Open Evening at Leiths on Thursday 5th February 2026, 6:30–8:30pm, and discover how the Culinary Diploma can launch your career in food.
A home economist’s role varies depending on the particular project; the predominant responsibilities for individuals in this role are to prepare, execute, manage and provide approval for food used on screen. We often find home economists working on projects like adverts, social media campaigns and publications.
The tasks a home economist will undertake include overseeing the overall production for a product, whether that’s creating the product from scratch or authentically representing it on screen. This might include checking ingredients, assembling products to specifications, as well as having the authority to approve any content created.
The work-life balance for home economists can vary for every individual within this role, as it’s predominantly freelance work. These individuals will often work alongside food stylists and food photographers to ensure the brand vision is fully materialised.
People seeking out a role like a home economist need to be confident and capable in a culinary setting. Having an appreciation and understanding for the way food is created and looks allows it to be better represented by the various production members in a food campaign.
To become a home economist, there is a range of skills an individual needs to possess to confidently and successfully emerge into this role:
The salary of a home economist varies due to the nature of the role, with the industry average for the UK sitting between £20,000 and £36,000.
Employment type:
Freelance
Working hours:
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Potential Salary:
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Work/Life Balance
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Food Stylist
Home Economist
Recipe Developer
Anna is a food stylist, home economist, and recipe writer based in London.
Her career started at the age of 16 when she assisted on shoots for The Irish Times and traveled with Chef Donal Skehan on his ‘Home Cooked’ tour in Dublin. She went on to work closely with Nomos Production and Appetite TV in Ireland working on creating social content for brands, cookbooks and TV shows.
In 2021 Anna moved to London to study a professional culinary diploma at Leiths School of Food and Wine, from which she graduated top of her class. Since she has been working with numerous stylists, photographers and chefs across London and the UK on Magazine shoots, Cookbooks, Tv Shows and Food Festivals. A regular home economist on BBC Saturday Kitchen, Anna spends her spare time developing recipes and creating content online.
A food stylist’s job is to help create mouthwatering images that make a dish look irresistible. Having a professional cooking qualification is essential, as you need to know how to cook everything from pastry to a joint of meat and have the technical knowledge to problem solve if things go wrong.
A Food Photographer captures high-quality images of food for restaurants, brands, cookbooks, social media, and marketing materials. They style dishes, set up lighting, and use photography techniques to make food look appealing. They may work with chefs, food stylists, and content creators to produce eye-catching visuals that enhance food presentation.
A Food Programme Radio Presenter, Podcaster, or Broadcaster explores food culture, trends, and industry issues through engaging discussions and interviews. They research topics, host conversations, and connect with chefs, producers, and experts.
