Jenna Kaplan’s path into content creation began in 2016, when a running joke about her constant food photos sparked a dedicated food account while she was studying for her BFA and MFA in theatre. What started as a side project quickly drew early brand interest, and even Foodora reached out long before influencer culture became what it is today. Her channel continued to evolve through an acting career, a pandemic pivot into marketing, and a growing grasp of how the creator world really works. Now a notable Toronto food and lifestyle creator, she has built a trusted community and collaborated with major brands, including a recent McDonald’s campaign promoting their McValue Meals. She offers emerging influencers a candid look at the realities of this space, including the open‑ended possibility of full‑time content creation, and her advice stays refreshingly direct: when an idea hits, don’t overthink it — film it and post it.
What is your channel called and what is it about?
@jenna.rachel.kaplan I am a food and lifestyle creator in Toronto who really aims to share my personal taste with my audience.
When did you start it? What motivated you at the beginning?
I actually started by creating my food account, @lilfoodiejj, while living in Montreal for University in 2016. My friends and I joked that I take so many pictures of my food and I should start a food blog. A few too many gin and tonics later, and the account was born. I began posting, and shortly after, businesses and brands like Foodora began to want to collaborate with me long before influencer culture had grown to what it is today. This always remained a cute thing I did on the side while I pursued acting. During the pandemic, I career-flipped from acting to marketing, and I soon came to the realization, after working with a bunch of content creators, that I could advocate for myself in this industry too. In 2022, I started to take it seriously and focus on my main channel, @jenna.rachel.kaplan (which has gone through many name changes through the years). Though I’m not some huge influencer, I am proud of my work and know my community trusts my recommendations and that I’ve built something special.
Who were you inspired by? Any influences?
I am always inspired by incredible women around me who constantly remind me to be myself. My mom is always my biggest influence, but I’ve had many theatre professors, friends, and fellow creators who are so authentically themselves and share their unique voices. I’m very lucky to have a community of women around me who help me shine and support me.
How would you describe your audience?
My audience is people who love food as much as I do. I have a lot of members in my community with exquisite taste who send me recommendations, and some who are looking to learn more about where to go, what to try, and who to bring along with them.
What is your creative process? Do you have people who work with you?
Though I work alone, I have found tremendous support and inspiration from my fellow Toronto food and lifestyle creators. My creative process is “chaotic-good” – just like me! My notes app is filled with ideas and lists. I constantly text my friends if they want to come shoot with me. Most of all, my biggest piece of advice: when an idea strikes, don’t stall, just get up, film it, and post it. I think a very important part of my creative process is not stifling my impulses. It takes away the fear of judgement if you just get out there and do it without letting your brain even contemplate any doubts.
How do you monetize your content? Do you also have another job?
Like many of the content baddies in the city, I do have other jobs (emphasis on the jobS). I work part-time as a UGC Coordinator for Serotina Media, and I work part-time as an autism support worker with adults on the spectrum. I do create UGC content myself, which is how I monetize my content. From my acting experience, it’s been a seamless transition from stage to screen.
What is your favourite piece of content you have created?
My favourite piece of content I’ve created in 2026 so far has been collaborating with McDonald’s to promote their $5 McValue Meals. I’ve always been a McDonald’s lover, so getting the email from them that they wanted to work with me was a big moment! I also got to shoot it with my mom, whom I love so much!
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part about being a content creator for me is the constant ability to be creative. Since I was little, I had dreams of being an actor. I got my BFA and MFA in theatre and was living and working in London as an actor. Being a content creator gave me a feasible way to repackage those dreams. I get to share myself, my life, and my opinions with the world while still getting to work creatively. It’s been an absolute whirlwind to work with brands I love and to get invited to epic events and activations. Though despite the glamour, the most difficult part is twofold: The first being inconsistent income. If you’re not being represented by an agent who is constantly pushing work for you, it can be hard to maintain steadiness. The second being burnout. I know, “my steak is too juicy, my lobster is too buttery,” but the events overlap, new trends pop up every single day, and you have to be super dialled in to the zeitgeist to be successful, and that can get very overwhelming.
What are your future plans for your channel?
I would love to keep growing and see how far I can take this channel. Would I want to be a full-time content creator? Tricky question. In theory, I do love that idea. In practice, that is such a massive leap into uncertainty that, transparently, I’m not ready for just yet. But if the time comes and it feels right, that would be pretty cool!
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another Canadian content creator that you love?
One of my favourite Canadian creators who I love both personally and professionally is Sarah Smart @sarahpsmart. She is such a light in the community, is always welcoming, and so fun to dance alongside at concerts.
