Total Food & Drink Influencers in Chicago, United States of America
1,818
Expected Reach
15.1M
Total Followers
67.8M
Avg Engagement
3.81%
Discover the most influential creators in Chicago 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 2026.
The influencers in this ranking reach a diverse, global audience with primary concentrations in:
For brands and marketers, this ranking provides essential intelligence for:
For content creators, these insights help with:
Our rankings are generated using advanced algorithms that analyze multiple performance indicators:
Data is refreshed weekly to ensure you're always working with the most current information. Last update includes performance data through June 2026.
Grace Fahey (@betterbakeskitchen) is, as of June 2026, the fastest‑growing Food & Drink creator in Chicago on Instagram, with +8.9% monthly growth (+29.4K followers).
Grace Fahey (@betterbakeskitchen) gained about 29.4K followers last month (+8.9%).
Grace Fahey (@betterbakeskitchen) grew more than Maddie Goetz (@madzgoetz) (29.4K vs 27.7K).
Maddie Goetz (@madzgoetz) is growing at +6.7% (+27.7K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.0 and average engagement of 0.00%.
Mia Swinehart, MS, RD, LDN (@gatherednutrition) is growing at +4.1% (+21.0K) per month, with a Profile Score of 6.8 and average engagement of 0.14%.
LARRY (@larrynem_) is growing at +15.5% (+17.6K) per month, with a Profile Score of 9.1 and average engagement of 7.50%.
Darren Cooper | Home Chef (@cookingwithmrcooper) is growing at +2.0% (+17.3K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.4 and average engagement of 0.00%.
Maddie Goetz (@madzgoetz) leads (6.7% vs Mia Swinehart, MS, RD, LDN (@gatherednutrition) 4.1%).
Grace Fahey (@betterbakeskitchen) gained about 29.4K followers last month (+8.9%).
Maddie Goetz (@madzgoetz) gained about 27.7K followers last month (+6.7%).
Mia Swinehart, MS, RD, LDN (@gatherednutrition) gained about 21.0K followers last month (+4.1%).
LARRY (@larrynem_) gained about 17.6K followers last month (+15.5%).
Darren Cooper | Home Chef (@cookingwithmrcooper) gained about 17.3K followers last month (+2.0%).
Yes — Grace Fahey (@betterbakeskitchen) has a Profile Score of 7.9, average engagement of 1.10%, and +8.9% (+29.4K) monthly follower growth, indicating high relevance.
The average engagement rate for this category is 3.81%. Generally, rates above 4.6% are considered excellent, while rates above 3.0% are good. Engagement rates vary by platform, niche, and follower count - micro-influencers often have higher rates than mega-influencers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.