Food Stylist Assistant

This assignment posting is for an Agency Worker opportunity with People Inc. The Agency Worker is paid by a staffing agency employer. Agency Workers will receive a W2 from the staffing agency reporting their earnings for tax purposes.

The Food Stylist Assistant assists the Food Styling team with food preparation, kitchen cleanup, and grocery shopping. This position is critical to supporting the studio's ability to meet production commitments in a sustainable way, and is a great entry point to a career in food styling.

The Food Stylist Assistant will check in and organize incoming groceries, prepare recipes as needed per stylist instructions, provide dishwashing and cleaning support for the food stylists, and provide shopping support as needed for the photo studio and also for the test kitchen as directed by the Test Kitchen Coordinator.

The Food Stylist Assistant will also be booked as a stylist on photo sets as needed when they are ready for a bit more challenge. In this capacity they will provide all the food items needed for photo and/or video shoots, prepare the recipes, and style the content within the specific parameters outlined by art and editorial teams. This role needs to be able to take direction from clients and photographers while also providing direction to their assistant and other support staff to ensure they are producing high quality content at a pace that keeps projects on or ahead of deadlines.

In addition to providing food styling services to clients this position may also be asked to develop editorial content and test recipes as needed.

16-32 hours a week, average

Start date:

12/1/2026

End date: 6 months with potential to extend

Hourly Rate: $18/hour

Location:

On-site. Des Moines, IA - US

• Assist food stylists
• Prepare food for photography, as directed by food stylists.
• Organize ingredients and pantry items in preparation for photo shoots.
• Provide dishwashing and cleaning support for food stylists.
• Select and purchase ingredients and cooking supplies needed for recipe testing and food photography.
• Act as a food stylist, recipe developer, and/or tester.

• Internships or previous employment involving food preparation and food purchasing is helpful. A culinary degree or any test kitchen or photo studio experience is a plus.
• The ability to take direction and communicate with others
• The ability to work independently on assigned projects.
• Thorough understanding of produce and food product selection as it relates to recipe testing and photography.
• Knowledge of the proper way to store fruits and vegetables to maintain quality for recipe testing and photography.
• The ability to organize storage areas and make the best possible use of limited space.
• Proficient computer skills for use of email, google docs, spreadsheets and expense reporting system. The ability to drive. Must have a reliable vehicle. Mileage will be reimbursed.

People Inc. is the largest print and digital publisher in America. Nearly 200 million people trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action, and find inspiration. People Inc.'s over 40 iconic brands include PEOPLE, Better Homes & Gardens, Verywell, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, All recipes, REAL SIMPLE, Investopedia, and Southern Living.