Joshua Weissman

From Home Kitchen to Global Fame

Joshua Weissman has transformed from a passionate young cook into one of the most recognizable culinary content creators on the internet. Born on January 9, 1996, in Los Angeles, California, Weissman discovered his love for cooking at the remarkably early age of three while helping his mother in the kitchen^[2]. What began as childhood curiosity evolved into a professional culinary career that would eventually reach millions of viewers worldwide. At 18, Weissman moved to Austin, Texas, where he began his professional culinary journey in the fine-dining restaurant scene^[3]. His dedication and skill quickly earned him recognition, culminating in a lead cook position at the prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant Uchiko by age 21^[5]. This experience provided him with the classical training and high-level culinary expertise that would later distinguish his content from other food creators.

Building a Digital Culinary Empire

Weissman launched his YouTube channel in 2015, initially focusing on detailed cooking tutorials and culinary explorations^[2]. His content philosophy centers around encouraging viewers to make food from scratch rather than relying on convenience products, a message that resonates strongly with his audience. As of June 2025, his YouTube channel has amassed over 10.2 million subscribers and more than 2.1 billion total video views^[6]^[7]. The content creator's success extends beyond YouTube to other social media platforms. His TikTok account, operating under the handle @flakeysalt, has attracted 7 million followers who consume his shorter-form cooking content^[3]. On Instagram, Weissman maintains a following of approximately 2.1 million users^[9], creating a multi-platform presence that reaches nearly 20 million people across his various social media channels.

Signature Series and Content Strategy

Weissman's YouTube channel features several popular series that have become hallmarks of his brand. His "But Better" series challenges the convenience food culture by recreating popular fast-food items and restaurant dishes with superior homemade versions^[11]. The "But Cheaper" and "But Faster" series demonstrate how viewers can create restaurant-quality meals at home while saving money or time^[1]. His content approach emphasizes what he calls a "from-scratch attitude," encouraging viewers to make their own condiments, breads, and other components rather than purchasing pre-made versions^[11]. This philosophy extends to his belief that "great cooking does, and should, take time," positioning himself against the trend of ultra-quick recipe content that dominates much of social media^[4].

Literary Success and Publishing Achievements

Weissman's influence expanded into traditional publishing with remarkable success. His debut major cookbook, "Joshua Weissman: An Unapologetic Cookbook," released in September 2021, achieved the prestigious #1 spot on The New York Times bestseller list and maintained its position for nine consecutive weeks^[2]^[4]. The cookbook features over 100 recipes and reflects his philosophy of making everything from scratch^[4]. Building on this success, Weissman released his second major cookbook, "Texture Over Taste," in October 2023^[2]. This book also achieved New York Times bestseller status, demonstrating his continued relevance in the publishing world^[14]^[15]. The book explores how different textures enhance the eating experience, featuring over 75 recipes organized by texture categories including crunchy, chewy, aerated, creamy, fluid, and fatty^[14].

Media Appearances and Industry Recognition

Weissman's expertise and personality have earned him appearances across various mainstream media outlets. He has been featured on television shows including "The Drew Barrymore Show," where he taught the host to make Austin breakfast tacos^[2]^[12]. His media presence extends to "Harper's Bazaar Food Diaries" on YouTube, where he shared insights into his daily eating habits^[2]³⁸. The culinary content creator's home was featured in Architectural Digest's "Open Door" series, showcasing his Austin residence and providing viewers with an intimate look at his personal cooking space^[2]^[13]. In 2021, he was recognized in Variety's Young Hollywood Impact Report, highlighting his influence among entertainment industry figures under 25^[2]^[16].

Philanthropic Efforts and Brand Collaborations

Beyond content creation, Weissman has engaged in charitable initiatives, particularly through his collaboration with Williams-Sonoma. In 2023, he designed a special spatula for the company's "Tools for Change" campaign supporting No Kid Hungry, a campaign aimed at ending childhood hunger in America^[2]^[17]³⁹. The collaboration demonstrates his commitment to social causes while leveraging his platform for positive impact.

Personal Life and Background

Weissman is married to Kate Weissman, a lawyer who graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston with a Juris Doctor degree and previously worked as an eighth-grade history teacher^[2]. The couple currently resides in Austin, Texas, where Weissman operates from a professional studio for content creation^[3]. He is of Mexican and Jewish descent, which occasionally influences his culinary content and recipe development^[2].

Financial Success and Industry Impact

Weissman's content creation has generated substantial financial success. Analytics platforms estimate his monthly YouTube earnings between approximately $48,000 and $1.1 million, with his total estimated annual income across all platforms ranging from $8.1 million to $13.3 million^[8]^[9]. These figures reflect his position as one of the highest-earning food content creators in the digital space. His cookbook sales have contributed significantly to his success, with "An Unapologetic Cookbook" reportedly selling over 316,000 copies according to industry analytics^[10]. This performance places him among the most successful cookbook authors emerging from social media platforms.