About
Welcome to Bite Me Beautiful! I’m Emma Hayes, the recipe developer, food stylist, and visual storyteller creating everything you see on this site. My journey began at the intersection of two passions—I studied culinary arts while working as a fashion photographer’s assistant in Los Angeles, constantly torn between two creative worlds until I realized I could blend them perfectly.
After spending five years styling fashion shoots by day and experimenting with recipes by night, I had my lightbulb moment in 2016 when a friend asked me to photograph her new restaurant’s menu. Behind the camera, arranging those dishes with the same care I’d give to fashion editorials, I found my calling. Bite Me Beautiful was born from that revelation—a space where visual appeal and culinary excellence stand on equal ground.
My cooking philosophy embraces this duality: food should captivate both the eye and the palate. I create recipes that don’t just taste incredible but also present beautifully without requiring professional equipment or impossible-to-find ingredients. Every dish on this site has been developed, tested, and photographed in my sun-drenched Brooklyn apartment using natural light and props I’ve collected from thrift stores and family attics.
What drives me is democratizing food styling—showing that stunning presentation isn’t just for restaurants and magazines. I’m particularly passionate about elevating everyday meals with simple styling techniques, finding beauty in imperfection, and celebrating the vibrant colors of seasonal ingredients.
When I’m not in the kitchen or behind the camera, you’ll find me hunting for unique serving pieces at flea markets, teaching food photography workshops in my community, or exploring New York’s diverse food scene with my partner Alex and our food-obsessed French bulldog, Pixel.
The most rewarding aspect of this journey has been seeing your recreations—how you’ve embraced both the flavors and visuals of these recipes, creating Instagram-worthy meals that don’t sacrifice substance for style. Your photos and stories remind me why I do what I do.
I believe that beautiful food isn’t about perfection—it’s about thoughtful presentation that honors the ingredients and creates a moment of delight before the first bite. My hope is that the recipes and styling tips you find here inspire you to see the artistic potential in your everyday cooking.
Thank you for joining me where delicious meets beautiful. Let’s create something stunning together!
With color and creativity,
Emma