Conversations with Alyssa Necesito

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Necesito.

Alyssa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My first food photo was taken when I was seven years old on a disposable Kodak camera—a perfectly plated sweet and sour pork dish from Won Kok in Chinatown. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. I simply enjoyed capturing meals wherever I went, especially while traveling and exploring new places.

I was very fortunate to grow up in a very diverse neighborhood. As a kid, my friends and I would ride our scooters and bikes to our local Italian deli, Filipino restaurant, or boho-chic Vegan store all within the same street. I understood from a very young age the importance of small businesses in the community. However, when raised by a single mother who worked two jobs as a nurse and a father who stopped by once a month to give you a box filled with fruits and vegetables (and luckily an allowance too!), my options to explore other cuisines was limited. So whenever I was allowed to try a new restaurant or a new cafe, I always savored the moment with a photo. As I got older and had the privilege to travel, taking pictures and videos food became a habit of mine, and with it grew a deeper appreciation for the local businesses and communities behind each dish. That perspective eventually took on new meaning when a best friend encouraged me to start a food Instagram of my own—it was then that I began to see this passion as something more than just a personal habit.

Today, I focus on highlighting local restaurants and small businesses across Southern California and beyond, sharing not just what to eat, but where—and why it matters. My goal has always been to connect people—family, friends, and followers alike—to memorable meals and the stories behind them. And with every post, I’m continuing to build that bridge, one bite at a time.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. The journey has been a mix of “ignorance is bliss” and the realization that social media isn’t always what it seems.

When I first started, I was caught in the excitement. The dopamine rush of likes, comments, and growing followers is INSANE! It felt validating, especially when I landed my first collaboration and got to share that moment with my best friend. At the time, it felt like anything was possible.

But reality quickly set in. What started as a simple love for capturing meals eventually came with challenges I never expected. Behind the scenes, I was balancing a full-time job, working toward my master’s degree, managing content creation, meeting restaurant expectations, and still trying to maintain a personal life—all in an unpredictable economy. It wasn’t sustainable, and it definitely wasn’t easy.

There were times I took on multiple restaurant deals in a single week just to get by, stretching myself creatively and physically while even portioning leftovers to get through the week (because who really has time to cook or the money to spend constantly?). What people don’t often see is the time and social energy it takes to film, edit, post, engage, and network—all on top of everything else!

Behind every quick “mMMmm” or “yum!” is careful planning: finding the right angles, making sure each shot flows, spending hours editing, and dedicating additional time to engagement so that the restaurants I work with see meaningful results.

It hasn’t been a smooth road, but those challenges have shaped how I approach my work today, and ultimately, they’ve been necessary in getting me to where I am now.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a content creator, I mainly focus on supporting and highlighting local restaurants in Southern California. I know food content creating hasn’t had the best reputation with the amount of “big” influencers not living up to their promises to restaurants, but I promise, there are food content creators that really care about what they are doing! Honestly, I’m just happy whenever someone tells me, “Hey, I checked out that restaurant! I really liked it!” because that meant the photo or reel did it’s purpose. But in terms of accomplishments, I am always happy if I could be able to treat my family to a new experience! I’m also very fortunate to have a “viral” (either 100k+ views and/or 1k+ likes) at least once a year. I still don’t really understand the algorithm, but I’m glad it has been in my favor!

Outside of content creator, I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. If I am not taking videos, I’m dedicating my day to helping my students, which in itself is very rewarding for me. It’s still very mind-blowing to me when a school staff or a parent happens to come across one of my videos in their feed. The most mind-boggling one was when my coworkers and boss started to follow me! (Hi, everyone!)

Digital footprint is very real, everyone! Make sure to be proud of everything you post on the internet!

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My three main pieces of advice that I give:

1) Start where you are: You don’t have to wait until you have the “right” gear or the “right” software. You don’t have to wait until you take a class. Just do it.

2) Learn to set boundaries: It is OKAY to rest. It is okay to say no. Figure out a pace that makes this sustainable for you.

3) Take the time to understand what you’re agreeing to: When I received my first contract, my best friend and I spent hours going through it together. There were terms I wasn’t comfortable with, and I’m grateful I didn’t rush into it. Some agreements may work for others, but it’s important to know what aligns with you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talesofafoodieholic