Food Influencers in the Metaverse

The convergence of immersive technologies and digital content creation has given rise to a new frontier for culinary engagement within the metaverse. This chapter critically examines the evolving role of food influencers both human and AI-generated virtual personas in shaping culinary trends and consumer behavior in immersive virtual environments. As the metaverse enables interactive experiences through virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI), food influencers are redefining the way audiences explore, learn, and interact with food culture. The chapter analyzes how these influencers curate content, host interactive cooking demonstrations, and co-create branded campaigns, thereby fostering dynamic virtual food communities. It further explores how food-related narratives are crafted across virtual platforms, facilitating cultural exchange and global gastronomic awareness. Ethical and regulatory concerns such as digital authenticity, data privacy, and cultural appropriation are addressed to provide a balanced perspective.