That TikTok is a social network made up only of ballets is now something that only those who do not attend it can affirm: the musical contents are undoubtedly the heart of the platform once called Musical.ly, but the constant evolution of audiences and creators has led to the birth of new trends ranging from activism to absurd “life hacking” advice, those teased by Khaby Lame, passing through the culinary ones.
Quick recipes from famous chefs like Bruno Barbieri or Gordon Ramsay, little tips for an impromptu lunch, behind the scenes of kitchens, local specialties and strange dishes have long conquered TikTok. Among the most common hashtags are #cucinaitaliana, #tiktokfooditalia, #15secondchef o #italyfoodporn, but even just a simple #cucina has 446 million views.
social network
Khabi Lame and the queens of TikTok
by Emanuele Capone
The story of Viola in the Sky
Obviously, even the recipes must follow the rules of TikTok, so quick assemblies accompanied by pressing music, attention to the image and above all a lot of personality. Qualities that are not lacking in Viola Leporatti aka @violainthesky, who with his style has subverted the social canons that they always want us all perfect and set to flaunt luxury and refinement, winning almost 5 million likes.
Viola’s is one history made of opportunity, timing, growth personal and authenticity. A story that, while intertwined with a strong passion for cooking, is not that of a predestined one, but the mirror of a generation that constantly tries to find its way: “I have always had a passion for cooking, also thanks to my father who worked as a restaurateur, but for years my experiences have been limited to serving in the dining room. From him I learned many notions of home cooking, but then not I have chosen to attend the hotel school and for many years I did many different jobs, until at 30 I woke up and decided that I had to do something that I really liked ”.
And so Viola enters a restaurant to do the mess as a dishwasher, until she becomes an assistant cook: “In the meantime the desire to share grew in me my path, to show the dishes I prepared at home to practice and maybe help someone to become passionate about cooking just like me. So here I am on TikTok ”.
Part of success of Viola also comes from his vernacular style, made up of words taken from the most outspoken Florentine that have become real catchphrases for his audience and that perhaps on TikTok have found the right space: “TikTok was born for impromptu videos, ballets made in pajamas and no make-up with clothes piled up on a chair behind her. There are things prepared, but it’s less glossy than Instagram, more adolescent and this helped me and made the relationship with the public even more real, to which I always try to respond, as far as possible “.
Attention to the territory and the environment
The choice to tell one is also fundamental sustainable cuisine, made with products linked to the territory and without waste, designed for those who shop and cook every day, not for those who want to admire (or envy) starred dishes. Meat sauce, potatoes, lemon and thyme, chickpea meatballs, panzanella, lampredotto revisited in the Japanese style and many other original ideas have allowed Viola to be among the most prominent Italian cooks on TikTok, with 270,000 followers. So much so that during the “I’ll tell you about Italy” initiative recently promoted by TikTok, he represented Tuscany together with writers, actors, singers and even the Uffizi Museum.
“I like to experiment, but I think it is right to meet the economic needs of families, not only in raw materials, but also in not looking for who knows what complicated tool. I’d like a recipe using low-temperature technologies, but it’s not something you normally find at home. And then of course I like it recycle leftovers creatively, respect the products and use them as much as possible, as it should be ”, he told Italian Tech.
But food on social media is also a delicate topic in which one risks being faced with traditionalisms, mental closures and even aggressive reactions, especially in Italy (there is even a Facebook page dedicated only to Italians who get angry at how foreigners treat food). How can these controversies be avoided? “Food is tradition, it is family, it has to do with memories, with an intimate experience. Seeing something we know treated in another way is strange to us. I always hope not to make anyone angry, also because the recipes and their variations they are an enrichment. And after all, they are just recipes ”.
But even if they are just recipes, the law of social media is often merciless with those who have to create content for TikTok and those who are not involved in these topics often do not realize how much work is behind: it is necessary beware of the latest fashions, to changes in the algorithm, prepare the station and edit the video, select the ideal moment for publication, take care of the community, maybe overcome shyness and do some live coverage.
How is all this managed? “Social networks give a lot and have given me a lot, but they also ask for a lot. It is a bit up to our practical and emotional management to succeed to make everything fit in with the personal sphere and, frankly, I don’t always succeed. Luckily there are the satisfactions and compliments that come from the community, the job offers and recognition that pay off and support in those moments when you feel tired, you just want to rest and instead end up gritting your teeth and engaging even more in that. which, to all intents and purposes, is a job. Before I was too one of those who looked at the so-called influencers with suspicion, but now that I am part of the category I realize how incredible the levels of perseverance, insight and knowledge required are ”.
So young people find work on social networks
by Giampaolo Colletti
Insomnia, from i many jobs done up to 30 years, one tradition familiar brought on the latest platforms, the subversion of conventions that we always want infallible, perfect and exclusive, one life changing and adapts to accommodate an atypical job and looked upon with suspicion by those who do not know him, the story of Viola is the story of millions of people of his generation, who build the present in ways that only 5 years ago we could not even imagine.
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