The food we see in commercials often looks too good to eat--and often it is. Preparing and arranging food for all kinds of filming and photography is the job of food stylists, and they use strange tricks to make food appear appetizing. For example, the scoop of chocolate ice cream advertised on television is often not ice cream at all but tinted mashed potatoes. Real ice cream would melt under the cameraman's harsh lights. And the deliciously thick syrup poured on pancakes? It's probably motor oil.

Stylists prepare food for television commercials and shows, films, theater productions, and photographs in magazines, books, and on the internet.They also demonstrate new foods or cookware at trade shows.

Depending on the job, styling techniques vary. If people actually eat the food, stylists obviously can't substitute motor oil for syrup. On the other hand, trained actors should be able to stomach colored mashed potatoes in place of ice cream.

Food stylists need an expertise in food that comes with experience in professional cooking. Most food stylists attend cooking school, working as chefs before they begin styling.

Food stylists also need training in photography or art. Like painters and sculptors, they combine colors and shapes to make an attractive presentation or picture. When styling for film or photographs, stylists use the angle of the camera and the props surrounding the food to contribute to the shot's success.

Just as important as training, though, are really good communications skills and working well with other people. Food stylists have to understand what a director, producer, or client wants and translate these people's ideas into a concrete product. Capturing the perfect image also requires close cooperation with the photographer or cameraman.

Food stylists face stiff competition for jobs, and since most freelance, many have trouble earning a steady income. However, despite all these drawbacks, food stylists love creating beautiful images of food, and most find their jobs to be a lot of fun.

How they spend their time:

* Finding out what image the producer, director, and advertiser wants to convey
* Planning for and organizing a shoot or presentation
* Deciding on the type and amount of food and equipment needed and shopping for it
* Preparing and arranging food
* Developing original recipes
* Maintaining a tool kit to take to shoots or presentations