Tag: foodies

The Top 20 Micro Influencers to Follow in Vancouver

Vancouver is a vibrant coastal city that’s filled with skilled creators, bloggers, and engaging social media influencers who can help maximize your business’s potential. That’s why we’ve created this guide to showcase some of Vancouver’s top influencers that are on the come-up that you should be following.

As well, If you’re a brand or small business that’s looking to work with more Vancouver influencers, you can use this article as a tool to find creators for your next collaboration.

Please note that this list is not a ranking of any sort. All influencers mentioned are listed in no particular order.

We’ve separated the creators into two categories— lifestyle and foodies. Additionally, rather than featuring mega-influencers and celebrities that anyone can find online, we wanted to showcase local micro-influencers who are creating quality content with an authentic presence.

You may find many of the creators in this list overlap in multiple categories. We encourage you to explore their social feeds for yourself, which are linked below.

Lifestyle Influencers in Vancouver

@jjoyw3 // 6.6k followers
Joy focuses on lifestyle and wellness-related content. She acknowledges mental and physical health and shares vital tips about both matters. In addition, she shares insight on her beautiful vacationing journeys with her audience.

@popsofgrace // 4k followers
Amy is a Vancouver-based family and lifestyle content creator. Her transparency regarding her personal life makes her stand out from the rest. Her Instagram consists of various images, ranging from adorable moments with her children to more serious topics and life updates.

Amy’s vast range and diversity of content make her unique. In addition, she makes a point to remain truly authentic to her audience.

@megkuang // 1.8k followers
Meg is a Vancouver-based creator and a recent UBC graduate. Whether she’s traversing Vancouver on her bike or sharing whatever’s on her mind, Meg never seizes to keep her followers intrigued.

Outside of creating content on social media, she also hosts a podcast called “in my twenties’! Hardworking, creative, and willing to offer her help to anyone who needs it, Meg is a Vancouver influencer that deserves your attention!

@tomilolavanna // 5.9k followers
Tomilola’s feed is a highlight of her captivating outfits on the daily. Along with showcasing her fashion picks, she also creates lifestyle content featuring her husband and their adorable toy poodle, Kabi.

@natasha_lu // 10.9k followers
Looking for fashion, food, or beauty inspo? Be sure to check out Natasha’s minimalist aesthetic.

Natasha’s account revolves around fashion, beauty, and lifestyle-related content. Her wardrobe and makeup tips are relatable, and we love her use of neutral tones in the photos she shares.

@walkerkylee // 10.3k followers
Kylee pairs various styles together to create a cohesive theme that’s authentically hers. Within her content, she also brings us along on her various vacation adventures.

@milansmama_ // 14.5k followers
Aiyna is a food, fashion, lifestyle and travel creator, as well as a mother to her adorable son, Milan! Her content gives her audience a window into her journey as a content creator and mom.

Being a family-oriented page, you can expect to see some healthy and delicious recipes, vacation moments, and fashion tips!

@sophieccollins // 10.3k followers
Sophie page is primarily centered around her family, vacation content + her other interests like health and fitness. She frequently updates her audience on her journey as a mom of two boys and as the co-founder of One Wednesday Shop.

Sophie’s content is inspiring for the working mom, and she does an amazing job of balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and her career as a content creator!

@chclaireh // 2.4k followers
Claire shares a mixture of fashion inspo, fitness and lifestyle content. She also features tons of outdoor scenic spots in the city to check out!

Claire’s passion for fitness does not stop her from sharing the delicious meals she prepares! You can also check out her new YouTube channel, where she frequently uploads vlogs and lifestyle-related videos!

@offshegoes_ // 7.5k followers
Jill’s passion for nature and travel, combined with her job as a flight attendant allows her viewers to be in a constant state of adventure!

Jill’s content is warm and comforting but still gives you wanderlust from all of the amazing destinations she visits. Be sure to follow her page for consistent travel recommendations and tips!

Food & Beverage Influencers in Vancouver

@ryanvancouvereats // 7.2k followers
Outside of balancing school as a university student, Ryan manages his foodie page to highlight his favourite eats! From beautifully captured food to critiqued restaurants, you can practically find Vancouver’s best cuisine recommendations from his account. In addition, Ryan’s honesty and unbiased take on each meal makes him an authentic and reliable food reviewer.

@teresaceat_ // 13.1k followers
Teresa and Canaan’s feed is sure to have you craving bubble tea and all sorts of sweet treats! You can find Vancouver’s most unique and authentic east Asian desserts on their page. Their in-depth reviews will be sure to convince you to grab a bite of anything they recommend!

@vancity.hungrycouple // 10.4k followers
Alex and Jen are a couple with a shared passion for food. Their Instagram feed is vibrant and will probably have you craving whatever they’ve featured on their page. You can expect to find a variety of new eats that will guide you through Vancouver’s best restaurants.

@forkthatdish // 16.2k followers
Nerrisa and Caleb are the masterminds behind Forkthatdish. Their account is a fantastic resource for any Vancouver foodie, especially if you’re into Asian food. They review multiple food joints in Vancouver honestly and unbiasedly.

They also host numerous giveaways with restaurants, which is another reason why you should be following them!

@yummybites604 // 7.4k followers
Stephanie is a food blogger and boba fanatic who knows how to work a camera! Her bubbly captions and ability to capture meals make her an awesome creator for any food brand or restaurant that’s looking to partner with influencers!

@keatsyvr // 4k followers
Follow Kerry as she uncovers Vancity’s newest eats and hidden gems! Her dedication to providing her audience with authentic reviews and recommendations is reflected in her day-to-day posts. We also love the variety of ethnic cuisines showcased on her page.

@nomsofvan // 6.2k followers
From street style to authentic East Asian cuisine, you can expect to find a range of delicious food on her account. She’s also created detailed guides to enjoying food in different areas of Vancouver!

@foodlees // 7k followers
Bonnie is not only an avid food blogger, but she’s also a talented photographer! You can find a variety of reviewed meals, restaurants and giveaways being showcased on her Instagram feed! And if you’re a dessert lover like we are, you’ll be sure to love her content.

@fatpantsforever // 6.8k followers
Vic and Winnie take us along their adventure with food tasting and reviews! In addition, they frequently travel and incorporate food and drinks from the destinations they visit. We love seeing the mix of foreign foods and local Vancity spots on their page!

@604.eats// 2.5k followers
There are thousands of restaurants across Vancouver, but Sophie does an awesome job of highlighting the foods you need to be trying! Her detailed reviews make for content that any local foodie can appreciate.

Final Thoughts

At Node, we’re building creator communities in cities across Canada and the United States, and we’ll continue to showcase up-and-coming micro-influencers in each region. If you’re a creator that’s interested in working with more brands and supporting local brands, we encourage you to sign-up for Node.

👉 See our list of the Top 20 Toronto Influencers

How can I find more Vancouver influencers for my business?

You can freely reach out to any of these Vancouver influencers by DMing them on Instagram. Many of them are also members of Node, which you can contact for collaborations through our platform.

Whether it’s through our platform or another, we encourage you to reach out to these micro-influencers for your next brand collaboration!

If you’re a business looking to collaborate with these influencers, contact us here.

April 22, 2022
Top 20 Micro Influencers to Follow in Toronto (Part 2)

Toronto is a vibrant city with many talented bloggers, social media personalities and influencers who can help you get the best results possible. There are thousands of different creators and agencies to choose from so it can be difficult to work out the right ones for your specific needs. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of some exceptional Toronto-based micro-influencers who have proven themselves as authentic creators, nailing any brand collaboration that comes their way!

See Part 1 for the extended list of Toronto micro-influencers

Please note that this list is not a ranking of any sort. All influencers mentioned are listed in no particular order.

We’ve also separated the creators in two categories— lifestyle and food/beverage. However you’ll find many creators have content that overlaps multiple categories, and we encourage you to explore their social feeds for yourself.

Lifestyle Influencers & Creators in Toronto

@belnotbella // 7.4k followers
Specializing in lifestyle and fashion, Isabel showcases beautifully styled outfits and always makes a point to show her followers where she found her pieces. With a feed filled with trendy looks, she makes herself to be a fantastic creator to work with for fashion and lifestyle brands. She’s grown a large following through her unique sense of taste that lends itself to her captivating personal style.

You can also listen to Isabel on her podcast, Breaking Bel, where she shares funny and intimate stories from her own experiences as a 20 something-year-old creator.

@lokiexplore // 10.5k followers
With a uniquely curated and color-coordinated feed, Loki’s attention to detail is always reflected in her content. She shares a diverse range of content that includes lifestyle, travel, fashion and food.

Loki’s followers look up to her as a creator and photo editing expert, and she even offers image presets to help others edit their photos to perfection. She is perfect for luxury brands across a wide variety of industries and her content quality will exceed your expectations.

@simplycrystallee // 11.8k followers
Crystal focuses on style and fashion, making sure to inspire her audience through her outfits— but this doesn’t stop her from also sharing the occasional food or beauty brand! As an entrepreneur herself, Crystal runs a women’s apparel clothing store, so she understands what fashion brands are looking for when it comes to miro-influencer collaborations.

@sarahpsmart // 4.8k followers
As a travel influencer, Sarah shares experiences from various hotels and destinations. Trusted for her recommendations, she shares interesting tidbits about each destination she visits— giving everyone the travel bug! Sarah is an obvious choice for brands in the travel and hospitality space, although her content also lends itself well to collaborations in the food, beauty, and health sector.

@happilysneha // 34.8k followers
As the founder of Suga Holic Bake Shop, Sneha is an entrepreneur and influencer who shares amazing food, lifestyle and parenting content. Sneha’s brand collaborations are authentic and creative, often involving her adorable son. Her feed is diverse and engaging, perfect for food and lifestyle brands that are seeking family-oriented creators.

@livinlavidafam // 12.7k followers
Leslie and her 3 daughters will make you smile with their fashion, toys and food content! With a fun-loving and family-focused feed, this creator family is perfect for any brands that are catering to parents with young children. Leslie’s also a talented home-cook and her (kid-approved) recipes and meal inspirations look like they’re from a magazine!

@seasonsofstephie // 11.2k followers
Stephanie’s colorful and aesthetic feed showcases delicious recipes, stylish outfits, and her adorable twins! With tons of seasonal content, Stephanie is a fantastic influencer to work with if you’re looking to focus your campaign around a specific holiday or time of year. From her gorgeous photos to her engaging reels, Stephanie knows how to truly engage with her audience.

@heyhelenli // 11.5k followers
As a lifestyle and comedy content creator, Helen is not only killing it on Instagram but she’s also a TikTok creator (with 600k+ followers and 75M views) and a YouTuber. Hilarious and relatable, she gets super creative with her content and can bring a fun twist to any brand collaboration!

Helen has a wide reach and an awesome following, and that’s because she helps others, and she’s very genuine in it too — you can easily recognize this in her content and hearing her speak (you can catch Helen on Clubhouse too).

@happykryng // 13.2k followers
As a mom, nurse, and content creator, Yumi really can do it all! Yumi’s well-rounded lifestyle is reflected in her feed, with content around food, beauty, health/wellness and her family’s adventures. Her content is extremely versatile and is reflected in her style, themes and formats— and she always provides her honest opinions on products to keep it real with her audience.

@champagneang // 5.7k followers
As a marketing professional, Ang has an in-depth understanding of brand goals when it comes to micro-influencer collaborations. Her feed focuses on positivity, food, and her lifestyle, which she never fails to capture beautiful images of. Ang is gluten-free, and a passionate advocate for health-driven brands that have GF options. And as her username may suggest, Ang shares content surrounding delicious and bubbly drinks, making her the perfect creator for food and beverage brands.

Food & Beverage Influencers in Toronto

@linder_surprise // 6.9k followers
Bringing you amazing recipes through Reels and TikTok, Linda is a trendsetting and relatable foodie/lifestyle creator who is up-to-date on the latest social media content strategies. Linda also co-hosts Diary of an Asian Millennial podcast and has a presence of over 35k followers on TikTok!

@eatwithjacq // 10.1k followers
As a foodie and a mom, Jacqueline’s feed features mouth-watering dishes and snacks as well as her adorable son! Jacqueline’s everyday content makes her authentic, genuine, and highly trusted by her followers. Brands looking for content on day-to-day lifestyle products, baby gear, or anything food-related can be sure to count on her for her creative flare.

@mystylefoodpicks.to // 13.2k followers
Specializing in food, lifestyle and travel, there’s never a dull moment for Asa! Her feed features content from her adventures near and far along with tons of aesthetically pleasing recipes. Asa is not only a micro-influencer on Instagram, but she’s also a YouTuber/Vlogger, making her the perfect candidate for a multi-platform collaboration.

@thezeniairani // 12.8k followers
As a food and lifestyle influencer, Zenia not only shares exceptional content on her Instagram but also has a 2-time award-winning blog. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Zenia has encouraged her followers to support local restaurants that have been hit hard this past year. Zenia captures amazing content of dishes from various cuisines, as well as her (pre-covid) travel experiences!

In addition to her visual content as an Instagram influencer, Zenia’s blog provides thought-leadership and relevant info to people living with diabetes, which makes her a true advocate and resource for brands that are catering to this audience.

@foodie.famous // 18.8k followers
Linda’s colorful and aesthetic feed features a great balance between meals and desserts. Given her extensive attention to detail with her photography, her content is no stranger to going viral. With over 90k followers on TikTok, Linda shows off super satisfying recipe creations and tutorials.

@ieattravelwrite // 4.7k followers
Zak shares incredible travel and food content, with a unique blend of positivity and mindfulness. Zak often prompts followers with questions to respond to, such as “What are your fears, and how do you plan on overcoming them?” Or, “Share one of your dreams below.” This creates an intersection of engagement and authenticity, allowing followers to connect with Zak at a deeper level.

Zak not only creates stunning photos but is the perfect influencer to work with for brands that want to emphasize positivity and mindfulness in their marketing efforts.

@notsimplyacouchpotato // 5.3k followers
As her Instagram handle suggests, Ann is always on the go, trying plenty of new foods and sharing spots to recommend to her followers. Ann always maintains full transparency with her experiences (oftentimes going into extensive detail, but it’s always so entertaining) making her more relatable and personable to her followers.. it almost feels like you know her in person!

@nomwithsam // 3.4k followers
As a digital marketer and creator, Sam knows just want brands are looking for when it comes to influencer collaborations. With an amazing eye for colors and seasonal themes, her photos are always top-notch. If you’re a food or beverage brand that’s looking for aesthetic content, you should definitely give Sam a shout for your next influencer campaign!

@foodtographyviews // 6.6k followers
Hamza’s feed is a mix of both sweet and savory, with selections from a variety of cuisines such as Vietnamese, Italian and Turkish— just to name a few. Hamza’s content will inspire you to expand your palate and try new foods. Giving his audience an introduction to both trendy and local restaurants, his page is always bound to have recommendations for just about anyone!

@foodieonthelooose// 15.9k followers
Priding himself on helping people find the best places to eat in Toronto, Ori’s feed is filled with excellent local restaurant suggestions. Even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Ori has continued to build his brand by capturing exceptional photos of takeout items. With over 18k on TikTok, Ori goes even further into his local recommendations and captures the full essence of the foods he tries. Ori is also the host of The Edible Talk podcast, making him a well-versed foodie in every regard.

Final Thoughts

Our creator community at Node is constantly growing and we’ll be publishing more of these articles to showcase the top up-and-coming influencers in each city.

Whether it’s through our platform or another, we encourage you to reach out to these micro-influencers for your next brand collaboration!

Check out Part 1 of this article here!

If you’re a business looking to collaborate with these influencers, contact us here.

April 15, 2021
Top 20 Micro Influencers to Follow in Toronto (Part 1)

Toronto has become immersed with micro influencers, bloggers and content creators. We’re definitely not mad about it! We’ve rounded up a list of the top 20 of our favs and up and coming Toronto-based Micro Influencers that you should definitely check out.

Foodies are a growing niche when it comes to influencers, with more and more restaurants, bakeries and CPGs looking to collaborate with them!

Please note that this not a ranking, and this list was not created in any particular order.

@whatishangry // 3k followers
Focussing on Toronto, Markham and Vaughan, Anna’s feed is colourful and upbeat with a diverse selection of food content. She showcases breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, snacks and beverages ranging from home-cooked meals and delicious recommendations from restaurants.

@meetandeats // 26.6k followers
Blogger, food maker and explorer, Alice started her journey in 2012. Not only does Alice capture bold food images but also has a website –meetandeats.com that goes more in depth of her food adventures and reviews!

@cfooodie // 34.4k followers
With a vibrant and mouth-watering feed, Carmen never fails to deliver quality content. Are you a bubble tea fanatic? Well Carmen’s page is the perfect place for you, as she has probably visited and reviewed every bubble tea spot in the GTA!

@markhamfoodie // 21.2k followers
Bonnie and Frank are Markham based foodies that spotlights a variety of great eats across the GTA. Their photos are consistent and well-lit. Plus. Plus, they actually take the time to write insightful reviews and feedback in their IG captions.

@feedmyphone // 49.3k followers
Patrick is a long-time purveyor of Toronto’s foodie scene and probably one of the first influencers to organize media events for restaurants in Toronto. Follow him to find good eats and insider-scoop on some of Toronto’s new restaurant openings!

@food.diva // 20.5k followers
Lifestyle and foodie influencer, Anna has a definite eye for detail. Her bright content is amazing, and her food flat-lays are a personal favorite of ours!

@foodelventures // 10.9k followers
When it comes to food, Liyan really knows what’s up! In addition to being a pioneer of the Markham food scene, she studies Food Sciences at the University of Guelph. You might run into her at some of the newest openings spreading good vibes and capturing mouth-watering photos.

@hungry.jo // 21.7k followers
Jo is a GTA Based foodie and one half of Jo-join Instameets. She’s no newcomer to Toronto’s food scene and has been working with restaurants to organize media events with influencers since 2017.

@theeverydayfoodie // 32.1k followers
Theeverydayfoodie is a digital content creator that loves to travel and blog about restaurants in Toronto. This content creator never fails to capture amazing high-quality DSLR shots, and has a range of dynamic shots of food in this feed that always leaves us hungry.

@devondine // 19.9k followers
Devon does not only shoots beautiful out-of-focus food content, but shares his photography tips in each post. He posts his daily tasting on his stories and gives us an experience as if we’re right there with him.

@foodie.fob // 24.9k followers
Whether it’s an acrobatic cheese-pull or the perfect syrup pour, Johnny never seizes to amaze us with his food choreography. This account is a must-follow if you’re looking to brush-up on your food photography and editing skills

@ajthetechnologist // 6.5k followers
A foodie who also shares some lifestyle and beauty content, AJ’s mouth-watering feed is diverse and versatile. Her collabs have ranged across different types of foods and cuisines, with beautifully-captured images that showcase the essence of every brand she works with.

@eatnmingle // 14.7k followers
Rey is a skillful photographer and food blogger with an eye for detail! From cheese pulls to action shots, Rey never fails to capture a clean and polished image.

@hangry_foodies // 13.9k followers
Anh has a keen eye for photography and an obvious sense for delicious tasting food. She often shares multiple high quality captures in a carousel post that gives us a close-up view at the food-filled moment.

@hypebelly // 10.3k followers
Hypebelly’s Instagram brings a different cool feel than most foodies. The high contrast tones add mystery to his photos. In addition, his unique style of photography is captivating and keeps us interested every-time!

@mrsocialeats // 12.4k followers
Kiefer is a talented photographer and a champion of the Brampton/Mississauga restaurant scene. He regularly visits local venues, capturing mouth-watering videos in his Instagram stories. You’ll also appreciate the motivational life-tips he drops occasionally in his stories.

@instantonium // 12.9k followers
Anthony knows how to work the camera, and you can tell from the close-up action shots, he’s no amateur. He often showcases a variety of options at each restaurant, while giving us an in-depth review of his personal favorites. We love hearing about the details!

@tofoodblogger // 38.8k followers
Getting perfect exposure is the key to capturing a crisp and detailed photo, and Ravi is an expert at capturing the perfect angles. His captions are also well-articulated, and often include an in-depth review of the dishes featured in his posts.

@ccarmen_ // 14.2k followers
Carmen’s vibrant page covers all things food and travel! As well, her captions are always informative and detailed. If there’s a new Toronto spot you want to check out, Carmen’s page is the place to get an early peek.

@boltonsbites // 31.6k followers
Bolton’s a true connoisseur of the Toronto’s restaurant scene, and he’s probably been to every Pho spot in the city. His Instagram photos are nothing short of mouth-watering, and you’ll never get bored browsing through his hilarious mukbang videos.

Toronto Influencers (cont’d)

When we created the first iteration of this list last year, it generated some great feedback from the influencer community. A few people noted that it wasn’t definitive – this made us realize that we need to make a more comprehensive list.

If we’re being honest, it’s nearly impossible to list all of Toronto micro-influencers, but we’re constantly growing our network at Node and being introduced to new creators. This list will change and grow as more influencers come to light.

See part 2 for an extended list of Toronto influencers to follow and contact for your next collaboration

March 19, 2021
Restaurant Recovery: Leveraging Influencer Marketing During a Downturn
It’s day 30 of the California quarantine and still none of us are used to the desolate scenes that were our lively downtowns just one month ago. Everyone is suffering in some way or another, but America’s fastest-growing sector— our service industry — was hit first, foremost, and hardest.

Restaurants around the world have either been reduced to takeout menus or shuttered completely. Our hearts go out to those who have spent a lifetime creating the atmospheric and gastronomic experiences where we go to spend time with friends and family.

Humans are a resilient species, always innovating and adapting. We all want to find a silver lining where we can. People in the restaurant industry tend to be particularly resistant to turmoil, whether it’s a cause or an effect of the nature of the game – the long hours, chaos, and the inherent risk of their endeavors.

Watch our video to see how we have helped businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why Your Restaurant Should Use This Time to Build Relationships with Local Influencers

In the midst of all of the suffering and setbacks, those in the service industry with fortuitous timing and or economic circumstances have been able to use this unfortunate and unexpected free time to do various projects that would otherwise take a back seat to the daily grind that is stereotypical of the business. Here are some things that workers in hospitality have been doing to fill the gaps:
- Remodeling, or just ‘sprucing up’ their spaces
- Inspecting and rewriting their processes
- Revamping menus
- Doubling down on their delivery and takeout options
- Marketing their brand
Building & Maintaining Customer Engagement

While marketing may seem like a strange thing to do when you’re not even allowed to let people in your store, this is actually the perfect time. Marketing is about building relationships and connecting to your customers. Yes, the end goal is to sell, but while you’re not really allowed to make sales, you can refocus on getting to know your customers better.

Marketing is largely digital these days, even for physical operations, and what better time is there to improve your brand awareness on the internet than when you’re not allowed to leave your home? If you’re not a photographer you can still create amazing content through influencer collaborations, and now is a better time than ever to do it. Here’s why:
- Restaurants, influencers, and customers all have extra time right now
- Micro-influencers can provide strong local reach within the city or region that you serve.
- Screen time is up, but influencers’ rates are down
- Restaurants are leveraging discounts in order to maintain a revenue stream (albeit at much lower profit margins)
- You can use this time to form relationships that will continue through the opening of the economy.
Let me explain.

Restaurants, influencers, and customers all have extra time right now

In the absence of endless resources, marketing budgets are a balancing act between time and money – whichever you have more of, relative to the other, dictates your marketing plan. Right now, we have more time and less revenue than is usually the case. Many restaurant owners have time to reach out to content creators and engage with customers online that they’ve never had before. Content creators have more time to create content. And customers have more time to spend on social media, consuming that content (also known as scrolling through their Instagram feed).

Statista, 2020

Screen time is up, while influencers’ rates are down

In the most isolated period of modern history we are turning to social media to connect with our quarantined brethren. For better or for worse, screen time is up, with Instagram engagement on sponsored content increasing as much as 40% and influencers reporting more engagement on their posts. At the same time, influencers’ collaborations with brands have largely been scaled back.

While reasons for this are obvious – supply chain disruptions, social contact being required for many collaborations, marketing budgets being halted, and having limited studio space – one thing worth noting is that takeout food is easy to shoot solo and doesn’t require studios or models. Influencers’ rates have decreased, but their content is effectively more valuable because consumers are spending more time viewing it. If you have the means and the upper funnel objectives, you should take advantage of this market gap.

Pro-Tip for Restaurants

Instagram is making it even easier for customers to order takeout from you, with their new ‘food delivery’ sticker, rolled out on April 15^th. click here for more info

Restaurants are leveraging discounts in order to maintain a revenue stream:

One of the extremely difficult choices that restaurant owners and managers are being forced to make right now is when to stop running operations – potentially at a loss – in order to keep their employees on staff. Steep discounts can keep customers coming in but at a cost that may be unsustainable to the business. If your restaurant is engaging in this balancing act, try directing some of these short-term losses to your long-term marketing budget by offering these discounts to influencers who will market for you in return.

Another Pro-Tip for Restaurants

In addition to browsing Instagram for influencers, you can use Node App to leverage your product for shoutouts and posts from local micro-influencers. Click here for more info

Node App’s influencer marketing platform (free for restaurants through June 1st) uses only product as payment, so your existing discounts can be leveraged for free advertising.

You can use this time to form relationships that will continue through the opening of the economy:

If you think that influencer marketing is something that could benefit your restaurant, use this time to form relationships with content creators, local influencers and your customers – and gain valuable marketing content. Worst case you get free exposure. Best case, you gain new takeout customers and build relationships that will continue to when take-out returns to dine-in.
April 29, 2020
Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants you Need to Know About in Toronto

The vegetarian/vegan revolution has been in the works for a long time coming, and now is the time to jump onto the diet!

There are endless reasons to hop onto the lifestyle such as for ethical, health and environmental reasons, but if those aren’t enough to step away from meat staples, be sure to check out these amazing veggie restaurants in Toronto– we’re pretty sure they’ll be enough to convert you.

Please note that this is not a ranking of any sort– just a vegetarian foodie that loves to eat good food!

1. Parka Food Co.

Vegetarian/vegan doesn’t automatically just mean stir-fry vegetables– and Parka Food Co. is a perfect example of it.

They serve up delicious vegan comfort food ranging from cauliflower burgers to their classic mac (& cheese– but not really cheese) dishes. Parka Food Co. approaches vegan eats with more than just food; but with a story and mission dedicated to keeping it real, fresh, local and sustainable for our environment.

Credits: @parkafoodco

Our personal recommendation:

The Truffle Mushroom Mac

(Don’t expect your regular mac & cheese– this stuff will 100% exceed your expectations!)

2. Thrive Organic Cafe

This cafe & kitchen does it all; from raw superfoods to sprouted grain pizzas– and they even do catering!

Their menu gives you all the vegan-goodness freedom in the world to customize your wraps and salads the way you want it. Restaurant owner & chef, David Perez, ensures that their menu allows locals to thrive off of a natural and nutritious diet (with a hint of his own Mexican roots), while still tasting amazing!

Credits: @thriveorganic

Our personal recommendation:

The Amigo Wrap

(With the perfect ratio of vegan cashew cheese to tofu and greens– it’ll be a wrap after this!)

3. Apiecalypse Now!

If you haven’t seen photos of their classics like The Fat Mac pizza, you’re seriously living under a rock.

Apiecalypse Now! is a staple in the vegan community now, with people resorting to their pizzas as a reward, a little pick-me-up, or the classic that we endorse the most: this is just downright bomb food that just happens to be vegan. Along with their food, their service and culture immediately makes you feel comfortable (and alleviates any guilt that goes along with ordering an entire pizza for yourself).

Credits: @veganfoodiemtl

Our personal recommendation:

The Fat Mac Pizza

(There’s a reason why it’s their #1 bestseller– they even sell their mac sauce in jars!)

4. Away Kitchen & Cafe

With separate menus for lunch, dinner, and even Sunday brunch– this place merges classic dining with great vegan eats.

The light and airy environment serves as a perfect place to get work done during the daytime, and a perfect date night spot once nighttime rolls around. Regardless of the time of day you roll around to this gem, you’ll be sure to have a hard time debating on classics like their margherita pizza or interesting twists such as their curry pot pie.

Read about how Away Kitchen & Cafe has worked with micro influencers to promote their restaurant!

Credits: @awaykitchencafe

Our personal recommendation:

The brunch poutine ft. the bomb-est cashew hollandaise sauce. Yep. I declared it and it is indeed official.

5. The Hogtown Vegan

With 2 locations just in Toronto, you know that a place called the Hogtown Vegan is going to (figuratively, but quite literally) rock your socks off.

With a variety of plant-based alternatives such as soy, seitan and tempeh (along with their classic unChicken and unPork items), you’ll be sure to find something to hit that comfort food craving at this casual sit-down restaurant. Their take on southern dishes seems so effortless and fitting– it almost makes you wonder why there aren’t any meat alternatives for these items at all restaurants.

Credits: @hogtownvegan

Our personal recommendation:

The Southern Combo ft. their infamous unChicken waffles, mac & cheese, and collared greens. All three elements perfectly balance each other to form one of the most heavenly combos your mouth will experience. Trust me.

6. Revitasize

This juicing kitchen emphasizes the freshness and rawness of the fruits and vegetables that they proudly use.

The cleanses that they offer come with specific instructions on when & how to drink them; ensuring that you’re following the proper procedure by professionals to detox your body. Along with their cold-pressed juices, they also offer variations of yummy vegan salads, soups, desserts and energy balls!

Credits: @simplyjaannett

Our personal recommendation:

The Chia Seed Protein Balls (5-7 g of protein in each ball + a totally addictive snack? Yes please!)

*Though we didn’t have the opportunity to try a wide variety of juices, be sure to check out what’s available during the season. They also offer tailored juice cleanses!

7. Veggie D’Light

A classic in the heart of Kensington Market, Veggie D’Light offers vegan Caribbean take-out and catering options.

Yeah, vegan Caribbean food. It’s hard to find vegetarian Caribbean eats, much less vegan– so the fact that the head chef, Peter McKenzie, was able to curate a flavourful, nutritious and vegan menu speaks to the feat that they conquered. A short but effective menu with options to choose from between your proteins, carbs and veggies, this gem attracts the vegans, vegetarians and yes, even the meatatarians from all across the GTA.

Credits: @chefpeterveggiedlight

Our personal recommendation:

Curried chickpeas + jerk seitan

(The flavours from the chickpeas won’t disappoint, but do be warned– seitan may have an acquired texture if you’ve never tried it before. Nonetheless, the spices are definitely present and oh-so-good!)

8. Kupfert & Kim

A 100% plant-based restaurant, Kupfert & Kim is that place to go to when you need an energy charge from whole-foods.

They offer an array of fresh salad bowls such as their popular Oaxaca Bowl that includes brown rice, black beans and daikon, riddled with thoughtful veggies to complement it. Their all-day breakfast and treats menu also gives you the flexibility on sweet and savoury dishes without compromising on taste and flavour. Don’t miss out on this gem. Seriously.

Credits: @eatyourcalories

Our personal recommendation:

The Green Smoothie Bowl

(A hearty blend of green superfoods along with granola and seed toppings to leave you feeling energized for that 10-hour day ahead of you!)

9. Mugi

Serving up fresh takes on classics, this plant-based Thai restaurant is the perfect spot to grab quick eats.

Their spice levels can be catered to your preferences, and trust us, they can take it to another level. Curries, noodles and salad items galore– give this modern Thai joint a try to get a mouthful of spices and flavour.. you’ll probably end up contemplating a trip to Thailand ASAP (like me)!

Credits: hctrvqz

Our personal recommendation:

The Hang Leh Jackfruit Curry

(This Northern Thai dish inspired by Burmese influences bring a classic Asian spice blend along with jackfruits that literally imitates beef. You won’t be disappointed– I swear by it!)

10. Planta Burger

This vegan gem of a spot brings a minimalistic, cozy space that feels like the future of modern burger joints.

A variation of burgers are offered on the menu such as their Classic Burger, consisting of a mushroom & lentil patty with a mind-blowing potato and lentil queso. The menu is also balanced with a selection of greens and sides such as their poutine with a light, miso mushroom gravy. Whether it’s to start, gear up, or end your day– Planta Burger brings fresh, comforting goodness to the table every single time.

Credits: @plantaburger

Our personal recommendation:

The Southwest Burger topped with their classic queso, caramelized onions, and some crispy tortillas for that extra crunch. I swear this burger appears in my dreams sometimes.

11. Energy Shack

A juice bar featuring vegan soups, salads and wraps– Energy Shack’s mission is to restore the human body’s nutrients and eliminate toxins.

Their cold-press vegetable juice detoxes and plant-based meal programs are prepared and approved by a certified nutritionist and chef. Owner of Energy Shack, Carolyn, ensures that they go above & beyond with their personal services by offering free consultations for those struggling to maintain healthy lifestyles. With great vegan eats, fresh juices to cleanse your system, and staff who truly care for you– why wouldn’t you stop by here?

Credits: @energyshackjuicebar

Our personal recommendation:

The Nacho Chilli Haystacks

(Consisting of cashew nacho cheese, tofu sour cream and plant-based chilli– the blend of textures and elements leaves that Mexican craving satisfied!)

*Note: Only available Tuesdays & Thursdays

12. Cinnaholic

Last but not least, the emerging chain of vegan cinnamon rolls and desserts deserves a spot on our list.

It feels like animal products are almost a necessity in desserts, but Cinnaholic truly makes you think otherwise. Their dairy-free, egg-free and cholesterol-free products seem like they might just be too good to be true considering their variety of over 20 frosting flavors and toppings. To get a feel of your favourite combinations, consider stopping by to one of their stores at least twice– we promise you’ll be back another 2 (thousand) more times.

Credits: @plantbased_city

Our personal recommendation:

Chai frosting + cookie dough + pecans

(This combo will have you kissing your fingers like a Frenchman after crafting a masterpiece!)

With the vegetarian and vegan movement expanding, the list could go on– but be sure to check out these spots whether it’s for the perfect date night spot, late night eats or cheap lunches. As a proud vegetarian for 5 years, I’m more than happy to simply extend the introduction to this awesome lifestyle (and for all my current/curious veggie pals– this one’s for you)!

Bonus recommendation: Vegandale Food & Drink Festival

Okay, this isn’t necessarily a physical store but we couldn’t write an article about veg spots and not include this event.

The Vegandale Fest runs on Saturday, August 10th/2019 from 11 AM – 7 PM in downtown Toronto (Historic Fort York & Garrison Common). With vendors coming from LA, NY, Vancouver and even locally renowned vegan spots making an appearance, this event will have any type of food you can imagine– and best of all, they’ll all be vegan!

Early bird tickets and packs of 4 tickets for the price of 3 will be sold until August 1st— don’t miss out on this mecca of vegan deliciousness, we know we won’t!

July 22, 2019
New Kids on The Menu: Here’s why successful restaurants work with influencers
Savory close-ups shots, witty food puns and eclectic reviews have become the secret to a creating a buzz-worthy restaurant. But how exactly has the trend of Instagrammers turned food reviewers, revolutionized the food and beverage scene?

5 KEY Stats on How Influencers Are Affecting Our Dining Decisions
1. 71% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase based on a social media references. (Source: Stackla)
2. Three out of four customers have used Facebook or Instagram to decide on a dining spot, based on comments and photos from others. (Source: Emphathica)
3. 30% of millennials would avoid a restaurant if they didn’t like their Instagram page. (Source: Zizzi)
4. The average 18-35 year-old spends over 120 hours each year browsing photos and videos of food on Instagram. (Source: Buffer)
5. 69% of millennials have photographed their meal at a restaurant. (Source: Maru/Matchbox)
Photo: @eatnmingle

Instagram Decides The Special of Today!

People rely on reviews and food influencers more than ever, and it’s largely due to accessibility. Restaurant goers are no longer reading magazines or newspapers to find new dining spots.

Instagram has become the new food and drink guide. Simply search a restaurant’s location on Instagram, and within seconds you’re able to view a plethora of food photos and reviews from influencers that have visited the venue.

Influencers are pushing the conversation when it comes to where to eat and drink. And most often , where we eat can be swayed in the spur of the moment — there’s no denying that craving when you see a mouth-watering sandwich shot, oozing with deliciousness.

The Beyond Burger’s arrival at Shamrock Burger being presented by @johnxree.

Using Instagram to Sell An Experience

Food critics have become a thing of the past, and fewer people are reading publications. The food business has become about not just promoting taste and value, but also highlighting an experience.

Food influencers are experts at selling an ‘experience’, and the good ones know exactly how to entice their audiences to convey feelings of curiosity and appeal. It’s no secret that foodie pages on Instagram are embellished, but there’s also no denying how perfectly it ties with promoting a restaurant, bar or cafe.

Consumers are more likely to believe a recommendation from someone they can relate with and a photo speaks a thousand words. That’s why reviews on social media have become more important than ever.

Influencers Reach Niche Audiences

Influencers are unique and so are their followers! Everyone has their own distinct preferences, eating habits and dietary restrictions. Food bloggers can appeal to different audiences depending on their content and geographic location.

There’s passionate foodies and influencers in every city of the world. As well they may focus on specific themes or topics. Popular food-related themes for influencers include health and fitness, vegan/vegetarian, halal and so many others!

One technique for restaurants is to target specific demographics of bloggers to build credibility before launching an advertising campaign or opening a new location. Everyone has their favorite blogger that they trust, and influencers have dispelled the trope that all critics are the same.

Cluck Cluck’s and Burgers N’ Fries Forever frequently work with influencers to create traffic for their limited-time menu creations. Photo: @cluckcluks & @burgersnfriesforever

Social media has changed the way we shop, dine and socialize as a whole. Instagram has over 800 million active users, and it’s been found that the 65% of top-performing posts have featured a product or brand. Over half of the posts shared on social media are intended to promote brands, products or experiences.

People are ready to try new places if the content speaks, and influencers are the primary vehicle for delivering content in an authentic way.

Learn some more tips and tricks for restaurants using influencer marketing here!

Node is a private platform that connects food and beverage businesses with talented influencers that are looking to collaborate. Interested in joining Node? Contact us to learn more about how you can get involved.
January 30, 2019
How To Create An Engaging Instagram Feed
Having trouble curating and producing photos that are ‘Instagrammable’? Keeping up with the current trends in social media can be difficult. Especially when you’re trying to model generate engagement similar to the likes of an inlfuencer. Here are some tricks of the trade, that Node has found to be the most successful in producing quality content.

Having an engaging feed is key for influencers and content creators when it comes to getting product sponsorships and partnerships. Learn more about how you can get more brand collaborations as an influencer here.

Organization is key

It’s important to conceive a clear plan and theme that will represent your brand. You want to plan out your goals with your content in mind. Think about questions like:
- What is your target audience? (Think: the who, what, and where of your content!)
- What are you trying to achieve with your content?
- What do you want your content to really say about you/your brand?
These questions can be difficult to answer, but it’s all about focus. You need to figure out how exactly how you intend to represent your brand visually.

Another important aspect of organizing is making sure your content follows a clear theme. Think: your content is your message, and your theme is the most effective tool to make your message as cohesive as possible for your audience. Your theme consists of color schemes, POV, photo ideas, caption ideas, etc. Basically, everything that you need to aesthetically stay on brand and on topic. I recommend using apps such as Planoly, Feedr, or Unum, to help drive your brand forward!

Using the Right Editing Tools

Editing is a powerful tool to help you produce content that will resonate with audiences. Often times people equate editing to erasing all the imperfections – but that is not always the case!. With editing tools you can create consistent tones and color palettes that will define your brand identity to audiences. Some of our favorite editing apps are VSCO, Snapseed and Adobe Lightroom.

Photo: eatandtreats

Photo: eatandtreats

How to Shoot Content

For many, the most time-consuming aspect of creating content is the process of shooting and making use of angles, lightning, and ambiance. Today, we will be talking about two categories; lifestyle and food.

Food Photography

In most cases, enclosed detailed shots are the best for shooting food. Because food is usually still, and can involve a lot of shadows the best photos are captured with natural lighting. You should reduce shadows and make sure your food is on a neutral backdrop. Shadows and clusters can be distracting and messy and can really take away from the content that you present. That’s why it’s usually best to avoid flash for food photography.

Lifestyle Photography
Lifestyle shots on the other hand can be more fun and versatile. The trick is to create unique content that is eye catching and different. If you want your instagram photos to be engaging, then you need to be original and stay true to your brand.

The atmosphere needs to really get across in your photo, and your surroundings and location can play a huge role in that! If your brand is targeting city-dwellers, and on the go types – maybe you want to shoot content focused in the city.

If your brand focuses on wellness and being holistic, maybe you want to try shooting in the wilderness or out in nature. That is all to say that, it is important to have lifestyle shots that accurately reflect the brand and audience you’re targeting.

Photo: @sarahmian

Write Engaging Captions in Your Posts

On social media, most of your content will be judged in the view-time of a fraction of a second, and that goes for what you write as well. When your audiences scroll through their feed, your visual content will peak their interest, but your written work is what will keep them engaged.

You want to make sure your caption assists in maintaining viewership as best as you can. It’s best to keep your audience engaged in a way that makes them feel like the time they spend looking at your content and reading it, is not time wasted. Asking questions, or leaving room for comments, directed towards your followers is a sure-fire way to get responses and gauge interest! Another helpful tip is maintaining relevance.

Keep a flare of your personality – whether that be your humor, or inquisitive nature. Anything that demonstrates that you have taken the time to truly think about your content, will help show your audience that you put in effort into create quality content that you believed they would like most.

Stay Authentic with Your Brand

These are just a few things to keep in mind when exploring ways to create quality content. Making sure you stay on brand and true to yourself is what is of the utmost importance! If you have any tips or tricks yourself that you would love to share with me, please comment below and let me know what has worked best for you!
January 15, 2019