Top 20 Food & Drink from Raleigh on Instagram Influencers by Follower Growth

Last updated: September 10, 2025

Total Food & Drink Influencers in Raleigh, United States of America

158

Expected Reach

2.3M

Total Followers

7.0M

Avg Engagement

6.37%

Top 20 Creators

RankInfluencerLocationFollowersEngagementMonthly GrowthScore
1
ian
@iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn
ian
Raleigh, United States of America
911.7K
Followers
17.82%
Engagement
+1.8%(+16.0K)
9.2
2
Kate Bryan
@k8_smallthings
If you like hair/makeup/beauty and like to laugh, you’re in the right place. ➖TheSmallThingsBlog.com 📍Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, United States of America
497.5K
Followers
0.91%
Engagement
+0.6%(+3.2K)
6.9
3
Katie Gonzales
@kt.gonzales
Wifey + Mama to 4 girls 🤍 For Business Inquiries: kbandbabybusiness@gmail.com
Raleigh, United States of America
237.0K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+0.7%(+1.6K)
7.6
4
Stephanie Clark Nielson
@nieniedialogues
Raleigh, United States of America
106.1K
Followers
9.24%
Engagement
+1.1%(+1.2K)
8.3
5
A N A N D A E L E N A 🧸
@ana.eleee
• travel lifestyle mama 👶🏻 in raleigh, nc • tiktok >>> ana.eleee 💌 email: anaconde97@gmail.com
Raleigh, United States of America
57.8K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+2.0%(+1.1K)
3.8
6
Ike Greene
@_thebeardedchefllc
Traveling Chef/Caterer. Dependable. Professional. Reliable. The BEST hands down
Raleigh, United States of America
128.4K
Followers
0.10%
Engagement
+0.7%(+936)
5.4
7
Jess Owens l Fashion & Funnies l UGC Creator
@jessowensdaily
UGC Creator & Hairstylist 🌼 Unfiltered Motherhood 🎥 Laughs & Lifestyle Beauty, Fashion, Travel + All Things Wellness Shop 📦 LTK, Amazon & Lowe’s
Raleigh, United States of America
20.1K
Followers
0.88%
Engagement
+3.0%(+581)
7.7
8
Brian Dawson
@iambriandawson
Vibe Creator
Raleigh, United States of America
47.9K
Followers
0.07%
Engagement
+1.1%(+541)
3.6
9
Ericka | Food + Lifestyle + Travel + Experiences
@curated_taste
Engaging, digital storytelling around NC & beyond | Believer | NCSU Alum🤘🏼| DDI Ambassador Collab: curatedtastenc@gmail.com
Raleigh, United States of America
9.8K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+5.7%(+532)
8.5
10
Lauren
@laurenmantis
Sober • Sapphic • Soft Animal 📍writing in the PNW (on loving women) Published in Harbor Review + more UNCW MFA ‘20
Raleigh, United States of America
10.3K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+3.0%(+299)
6.9
11
AI John
@aijohnart
Teaching others how to master AI Art tools.
Raleigh, United States of America
17.5K
Followers
0.07%
Engagement
+1.4%(+239)
5.2
12
HIRA⚡️
@ansari_hira
just sharing things I love pakistani | east coast | dentistry | lifestyle 💌 : hiraansaribiz@gmail.com 🌙 2025 RAMADAN DATE BOXES AVAILABLE NOW
Raleigh, United States of America
12.8K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+1.9%(+232)
8.1
13
Angela Artis
@so_angie
The Content Queen. 🦋📸 💌 Collab? Soangiebooking@gmail.com
Raleigh, United States of America
23.8K
Followers
3.96%
Engagement
+0.9%(+217)
6.9
14
Sonny Stores
@sonnystores
🍅 Lunch: Thurs - Sun, 12pm onwards 🍅 Dinner: Tues - Sat, 5:45pm onwards 🍅 Hatch: Thurs - Sun, 12-5pm 🍅 47 Raleigh Rd, Bristol, BS3 1QS
Raleigh, United States of America
23.7K
Followers
4.10%
Engagement
+0.9%(+213)
6.7
15
Jim Putnam - Gardening Videos
@horttube
Jim Putnam is host of HortTube, a YouTube gardening channel for the Do-It-Yourselfer - Online Consultations Available on HortTube.com website
Raleigh, United States of America
25.5K
Followers
3.45%
Engagement
+0.8%(+194)
8.1
16
Raleigh on a Budget | Meg
@raleigh_on_a_budget
Raleigh recommendations for all budgets 🌷 All are welcome 🌸 #shoplocalraleigh #raleighevents 🛼🧁💗👇🏼
Raleigh, United States of America
73.9K
Followers
0.91%
Engagement
+0.2%(+176)
6.9
17
Courtney Bowman | Raleigh Cheeseboards
@raleighcheesy
🧀 Custom Cheese Boards 🧀 Come by for lunch! 11-6 3075 Medlin Drive, Raleigh
Raleigh, United States of America
34.8K
Followers
0.54%
Engagement
+0.5%(+174)
6.3
18
Aarik Duncan
@aarikduncan
2.14-Yellow🎶🌻 2.14-TheYellowValentinesShow @thepourhouse
Raleigh, United States of America
24.2K
Followers
27.91%
Engagement
+0.7%(+165)
9.1
19
Angela Orellana
@mrs.orellana
Just a cool mom who loves to make reels 💁🏻‍♀️ Follow along our 🏡🔨 @orellanahome The Lord is my savior ✝️ Raleigh NC 📍
Raleigh, United States of America
19.2K
Followers
413.78%
Engagement
+0.9%(+164)
7.3
20
Aarti Sequeira
@aartipaartipics
Jesus geek, wife, mum, TCK, Food Network host, cookbook author, fmr. news + doc producer Bookings: aarti@redrockla.com
Raleigh, United States of America
355.7K
Followers
0.23%
Engagement
+0.0%(+129)
5.8

About This Instagram Influencer Ranking

Discover the most influential creators in Raleigh with our comprehensive ranking of the top 20 influencers on Instagram who post Food & Drink content. This data‑driven analysis identifies the content creators who are shaping conversations, driving trends, and commanding the highest engagement rates in 2025.

Key Insights & Metrics

  • Combined Reach: 2.3M potential impressions across all ranked influencers
  • Total Audience: 7.0M followers collectively following these creators
  • Average Engagement Rate: 6.37% - significantly above industry average
  • Market Coverage: 158 total influencers analyzed in this category

Audience Demographics & Reach

Audience analysis is currently unavailable.

  • Top Markets: no data
  • Gender Distribution: no data
  • Primary Age Group: no data
  • Languages: no data

Why This Ranking Matters

For brands and marketers, this ranking provides essential intelligence for:

  • Identifying high-performing influencers for partnership opportunities
  • Understanding audience demographics for targeted campaigns
  • Benchmarking engagement rates and growth metrics
  • Discovering emerging talent with strong growth trajectories
  • Analyzing competitive landscape in Food & Drink niche

For content creators, these insights help with:

  • Understanding industry benchmarks and performance standards
  • Identifying successful content strategies from top performers
  • Network building and collaboration opportunities
  • Setting realistic growth targets based on peer performance

Methodology & Data Freshness

Our rankings are generated using advanced algorithms that analyze multiple performance indicators:

  • Profile Score: Proprietary metric combining reach, engagement, and growth
  • Engagement Rate: Average interaction rate across recent content
  • Growth Velocity: Month-over-month follower growth and momentum
  • Content Consistency: Posting frequency and audience retention
  • Audience Quality: Authenticity scores and demographic relevance

Data is refreshed weekly to ensure you're always working with the most current information. Last update includes performance data through September 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the fastest‑growing Food & Drink creator in Raleigh on Instagram?

ian (@iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn) is, as of September 2025, the fastest‑growing Food & Drink creator in Raleigh on Instagram, with +1.8% monthly growth (+16.0K followers).

How many followers did ian (@iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn) gain last month?

ian (@iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn) gained about 16.0K followers last month (+1.8%).

Who grew more: ian (@iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn) or Kate Bryan (@k8_smallthings)?

ian (@iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn) grew more than Kate Bryan (@k8_smallthings) (16.0K vs 3.2K).

How is Kate Bryan (@k8_smallthings) performing right now?

Kate Bryan (@k8_smallthings) is growing at +0.6% (+3.2K) per month, with a Profile Score of 6.9 and average engagement of 0.91%.

How is Katie Gonzales (@kt.gonzales) performing right now?

Katie Gonzales (@kt.gonzales) is growing at +0.7% (+1.6K) per month, with a Profile Score of 7.6 and average engagement of N/A.

How is Stephanie Clark Nielson (@nieniedialogues) performing right now?

Stephanie Clark Nielson (@nieniedialogues) is growing at +1.1% (+1.2K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.3 and average engagement of 9.24%.

How is A N A N D A E L E N A 🧸 (@ana.eleee) performing right now?

A N A N D A E L E N A 🧸 (@ana.eleee) is growing at +2.0% (+1.1K) per month, with a Profile Score of 3.8 and average engagement of 0.00%.

Who had the higher percentage growth: Kate Bryan (@k8_smallthings) or Katie Gonzales (@kt.gonzales)?

Katie Gonzales (@kt.gonzales) leads (0.7% vs Kate Bryan (@k8_smallthings) 0.6%).

What is the absolute follower gain of ian (@iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn)?

ian (@iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn) gained about 16.0K followers last month (+1.8%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Kate Bryan (@k8_smallthings)?

Kate Bryan (@k8_smallthings) gained about 3.2K followers last month (+0.6%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Katie Gonzales (@kt.gonzales)?

Katie Gonzales (@kt.gonzales) gained about 1.6K followers last month (+0.7%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Stephanie Clark Nielson (@nieniedialogues)?

Stephanie Clark Nielson (@nieniedialogues) gained about 1.2K followers last month (+1.1%).

What is the absolute follower gain of A N A N D A E L E N A 🧸 (@ana.eleee)?

A N A N D A E L E N A 🧸 (@ana.eleee) gained about 1.1K followers last month (+2.0%).

Is ian (@iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn) still a relevant creator?

Yes — ian (@iaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnn) has a Profile Score of 9.2, average engagement of 17.82%, and +1.8% (+16.0K) monthly follower growth, indicating high relevance.

What is a good engagement rate for Food & Drink in United States of America?

The average engagement rate for this category is 6.37%. Generally, rates above 7.6% are considered excellent, while rates above 5.1% are good. Engagement rates vary by platform, niche, and follower count - micro-influencers often have higher rates than mega-influencers.

How is the Profile Score calculated?

The Profile Score (0-10 scale) is a composite metric that weighs several factors: 40% engagement quality, 25% audience reach, 20% growth momentum, 10% content consistency, and 5% audience authenticity. A score above 7.0 indicates a high-performing influencer, while scores above 8.5 represent elite-tier creators.

Can I use this data for influencer marketing campaigns?

Yes! This ranking is designed to help brands, agencies, and marketers identify potential partnership opportunities. The data provides a starting point for campaign planning, competitor analysis, and market research. For detailed campaign analytics and contact information, consider upgrading to our professional tools.

What does monthly growth percentage mean?

Monthly growth shows the percentage change in followers over the past 30 days. Positive growth (green) indicates gaining followers, while negative growth (red) means losing followers. The number in parentheses shows the absolute follower change. High growth rates often indicate viral content or successful campaigns.

Why should I track influencers in Raleigh?

Location-specific influencer tracking is crucial for targeted marketing campaigns. Local influencers often have higher engagement rates within their geographic area, understand cultural nuances, and can drive better ROI for region-specific products or services. They're particularly valuable for retail, hospitality, and location-based businesses.

How can I improve my ranking as an influencer?

Focus on these key areas: (1) Increase engagement by creating content that encourages comments and shares, (2) Post consistently to maintain audience interest, (3) Use relevant hashtags to expand reach, (4) Collaborate with other creators in your niche, (5) Respond to comments to build community, and (6) Analyze your best-performing content and create similar pieces.

Note: This ranking represents a snapshot of current instagram influence based on publicly available data. Rankings can fluctuate based on content performance, platform algorithm changes, and audience behavior. Use this data as one of several factors in your decision-making process.