How to Become a Food Sample Artisan
Food samples are a part of Japanese culture that has been gaining international attention in the past few years.
But have you ever wondered what kind of people make food samples?
In this article, we will be explaining how one can become a food sample artisan and some useful skills to equip yourself for the job!
Contents
1. What do food sample artisans do?
Food samples are highly regarded as a uniquely Japanese culture.
Recently, Japanese food samples have been attracting attention from overseas as being “in the realm of art” for its meticulous details, and food sample making at places like Food Sample Making Cafe has been acquiring increasing popularity from visitors abroad.
There must be at least a few of us who decided on a restaurant based on the food samples displayed in front of stores.
Just as dishes differ from store to store, food samples differ just as much.
Therefore, almost all food samples are custom made by food sample craftsmen.
Receiving orders directly from restaurants and food manufactures, their main job is to produce models of dishes as realistic as possible.
Food samples are made using a myriad of techniques, methods, and materials.
In the past, wax was used primarily to make food samples, but due to its low melting point, food samples made of wax sometimes melted when exposed to direct sunlight in showcases.
As a result, resins which were tougher and more heat-resistant were chosen as its better alternative.
Just with anything, this shows how being sensitive to the changes around us is essential.
For more information, have a look at our article on How to Make Food Samples
2. How to become a food sample artisan
To become a food sample artisan, craftsmen, modeler, or whatever you call it, it is recommended that you study colouring and modelling at a vocational school.
For example, at Nippon Design Welfare College’s “Confectionery Design Work”, students can learn techniques to convey the image of confectionery.
In addition to food sample manufacturing companies, design companies and restaurant companies also employ food sample modelers.
If you have attended an art college or design school, you may have an advantage in finding a job.
However, job spots for food sample artisans are so scarce that even major companies in the industry do not recruit on a regular basis.
So it would be a good idea to frequently check job openings from vacancies.
Recently, there has been an increase in food sample miscellaneous goods and accessories as well.
These are things like food-motif earrings, necklaces, belts, tie pins, and even clothes hangers.
The market is expanding exponentially, especially in light of the fact that they are being purchased as souvenirs overseas.
It seems that it is necessary to master the art and its scrupulous features to meet the growing demand.
3. Qualifications needed to become a food sample artisan
There are no qualifications that you need to become a food sample artisan.
Yet, it is important to learn airbrush techniques for synthetic resins and colouring skills in order to make the food samples appear as delicious and mouth-watering as the real ones.
Various skills are needed to make food samples, which include making moulds out of synthetic resin, baking the mould in an oven, and deciding on the layout of the food samples by arranging them.
If you get the “Food Sample Art Instructor Certificate” authorised by the Japan Food Sample Association, you can start your own business with food samples.
In fact, some of the certified instructors have received requests to create displays for restaurants, cake shops, bakeries, to hold workshops at corporate events, and to create artwork for social media.
In a short period of time, you can learn how to conduct workshop management and sell your artwork, and socialise with people who are engaged in similar creative activities.
4. Summary
The growing demand for food samples requires food sample artisans to create high quality food samples that imitate real food.
It is a valued job which preserves and develops the Japanese food sample culture and disseminates this significance to the rest of the world.If you are interested in becoming a food sample craftsman (or even if you aren’t) why not visit the Food Sample Making Cafe!
What are we?
We run Food Sample Making Cafe at Asakusa, Tokyo in Japan.
Here you can immerse yourself in Japanese culture through experiencing food sample making.
We will carefully teach you how to make authentic, professional-grade food samples, so everyone from adults to children can enjoy it!
Your food sample will be completed in about an hour, and you can take it home right away.
The cafe is an indoor interactive zone, so it is recommended for sightseeing on rainy or hot/cold days.
If you want to try making food samples of your own, why not join us?
Reservations can be made here.
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