The Rise of a Global Food Explorer

William Sonbuchner, better known by his online persona Sonny Side, has transformed from a small-town Minnesotan into one of YouTube's most recognizable food content creators through his channel Best Ever Food Review Show^[1]. Born on August 22, 1984, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Sonny's journey to international fame began with humble beginnings and a willingness to step far outside his comfort zone^[2]. After attending three different colleges without completing his degree and working various jobs, he made a life-changing decision at age 24 to move to South Korea with just $2,000 in his bank account^[3].

From English Teacher to YouTube Sensation

During his time in South Korea, Sonny taught English while developing his filmmaking skills and even created video content for K-pop artists^[4]. This experience laid the foundation for what would become his signature approach to food and travel content creation. He established the Best Ever Food Review Show YouTube channel on September 23, 2010, though he didn't upload his first video until December 14, 2015^[5]. The channel's mission centers on exploring unique cuisines from around the world while encouraging empathy and cultural understanding through food^[6].

Building a Global Media Empire

Impressive Audience Numbers

Best Ever Food Review Show has achieved remarkable growth across multiple platforms. The main YouTube channel has reached 11.5 million subscribers with over 2.93 billion total video views as of June 2025^[7]. The channel maintains an average video length of 33 minutes, significantly longer than typical YouTube content, and uploads approximately 1.25 videos per week^[8]. Additionally, Sonny operates a secondary channel called "More Best Ever Food Review Show," which has accumulated 3.27 million subscribers and over 761 million views^[9].

Professional Production Team

The success of Best Ever Food Review Show stems from a sophisticated production operation based in Vietnam, where Sonny has made his home^[10]. The team has grown to approximately twenty professionals who handle everything from research and filming to editing and post-production^[11]. This Vietnam-based crew enables the channel to produce high-quality content twice weekly while maintaining authentic cultural connections in Southeast Asia^[12].

Recognition and Achievements

Industry Awards

Best Ever Food Review Show's impact on digital media has been recognized through prestigious industry awards. In 2020, the channel won the People's Voice Award in the Viral Video category at the 24th Annual Webby Awards and received a Webby Official Honoree recognition for Food & Drink content^[13]. These accolades highlight the channel's ability to create content that resonates with both audiences and industry professionals.

Breaking Cultural Barriers

One of Sonny's most significant achievements came in 2019 when Best Ever Food Review Show became the first US-owned YouTube channel to receive filming access in Iran^[14]. This milestone occurred during a period of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, making the accomplishment even more remarkable^[15]. The resulting ten-episode series showcased Iranian cuisine and culture, demonstrating food's power to transcend political boundaries.

Content Evolution and Cultural Impact

Storytelling Approach

Over the years, Best Ever Food Review Show has evolved from simple restaurant reviews to immersive cultural documentaries. The content now focuses on creating meaningful connections between food and the cultures that produce it, often featuring extended storytelling segments that provide educational value alongside entertainment^[16]. This approach has helped distinguish the channel from other food content creators by emphasizing cultural understanding over mere consumption.

Global Reach and Influence

The channel's influence extends across multiple continents, with a dedicated audience spanning North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia^[17]. With over 13 million subscribers across all platforms and 3.2 billion lifetime views, the show has become a significant force in food and travel media^[18]. The content generates an average of 100,000 engaged comments per month, indicating a highly active and invested audience^[19].

Financial Success and Business Model

The channel's success has translated into substantial financial returns. Analytics platforms estimate that Best Ever Food Review Show generates between $26,600 and $79,800 monthly from YouTube ad revenue alone^[20]. Various sources estimate Sonny's overall net worth to range from $1.25 million to $10 million, with income streams including YouTube revenue, brand partnerships, merchandise sales, and business ventures^[21]. The channel's high retention rates and authentic storytelling approach have made it attractive to brands seeking to reach engaged, travel-oriented audiences^[22].

Expanding the Brand

Recognizing the potential for regional content, Sonny launched Best Ever Food India as a separate channel to focus specifically on Indian cuisine and culture^[23]. This expansion demonstrates the brand's commitment to providing deeper, more specialized content for specific regions while maintaining the core mission of cultural exploration through food. The move also reflects the growing importance of localized content in the global digital media landscape.