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

Last updated: September 10, 2025

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

961

Expected Reach

11.2M

Total Followers

48.6M

Avg Engagement

3.73%

Audience Analysis

Gender Distribution

Female61%
Male39%

Age Distribution

25-3440.4%
35-4423.1%
18-2419.2%
45-549.1%

Top Countries

United States of America69.8%
Canada2.9%
United Kingdom2.5%
India1.6%
Lebanon1.6%

Top Languages

en87.9%
es3.8%
pt1.8%

Top Cities

Houston10.5%
Los Angeles2.4%
New York City1.7%
Atlanta1.3%
New York1.3%

Top 20 Creators

RankInfluencerLocationFollowersEngagementMonthly GrowthScore
1
Yolibeth Cruz
@kokokay._
@sweetkokokay @FashionNovaCurve
Houston, United States of America
1.0M
Followers
1.00%
Engagement
+2.1%(+20.9K)
6.1
2
Dr.Nick,MD,CFMDL2 | Peak Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention
@thefittestdoc
🩺I help improve metabolic health⁣ 🧠Tips on nutrition, movement, recovery, & stress⁣ ⚕️10K+ lives improved ⁣ 📩 DM “GIVEAWAY” for free metabolism test
Houston, United States of America
258.2K
Followers
0.26%
Engagement
+7.6%(+18.2K)
7.2
3
Joao (Joe-ow)
@name.is.joao
God first † 🇧🇷 living in📍Houston, TX Book here👇🏼
Houston, United States of America
1.1M
Followers
2.31%
Engagement
+1.3%(+14.7K)
7.0
4
Leah Rudick
@leah_rudick
Salt Lake City 4/11-12 Houston 4/18 Plano 4/19 Full tour👇
Houston, United States of America
704.5K
Followers
0.11%
Engagement
+2.0%(+13.9K)
6.4
5
TINA YOSHI
@tinayoshile
🇻🇳 ☆ spicy waifu who likes to rave & eat ✨ @theyoshibaby @eatingwithyoshi
Houston, United States of America
342.1K
Followers
1.24%
Engagement
+4.2%(+13.9K)
3.9
6
Tiffany Williamson
@tiffany_williamson
Mom of 2 🎀 & Wife Daily Amazon finds & deals Reviewing all the best 👍🏼 📍Houston, TX
Houston, United States of America
187.6K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+7.8%(+13.6K)
7.9
7
Molly Maung
@littlecajunhouse
▫️Cooking/Lifestyle/Fashion/Travel ▫️ TikTok 2M ▫️ littlecajunhouse@yahoo.com
Houston, United States of America
528.8K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+2.4%(+12.2K)
6.0
8
Meredith Munoz
@mersgoodeats
welcome to my plate! healthy-ish + approachable + easy recipes runner | nutritionist | mom 📧 meredith@hillermediagroup.com @hillermediagroup
Houston, United States of America
310.3K
Followers
0.58%
Engagement
+4.1%(+12.2K)
6.4
9
STEPHANIE PENA
@stephaniepena___
TikTok & YouTube @stephaniepena___ 💌: mgmt@stephpena.com @rosyandjohn
Houston, United States of America
349.9K
Followers
8.62%
Engagement
+3.3%(+11.3K)
6.9
10
Bloi-dei Dorzon
@tobiasdorzon
🇱🇷 Host of @espn & @hulu’s #TimeOutWithTobias @HunchoHouseMD @1123_bycheftobias 🙏🏿 Son of God Manager @uptown_av PR @orchardoperations
Houston, United States of America
234.9K
Followers
5.97%
Engagement
+4.8%(+10.8K)
4.8
11
Emily | My Messy Kitchen
@mymessykitchenn
✌🏼Easy recipes that will elevate your home cooking 💌 emily@hillermediagroup.com 🧁 Betty Crocker Maker ✨Click below for recipes + Amazon👇🏼
Houston, United States of America
321.5K
Followers
0.10%
Engagement
+3.0%(+9.3K)
6.2
12
Shubhra Ramineni
@spicegirlkitchen
Your🇺🇸🇮🇳Dal-ing + Chemical Engineer + MBA + MOMx3+🐕 📕Entice with Spice: Easy & Quick Indian Recipes for Beginners 📗Healthy Indian Vegetarian Cooking
Houston, United States of America
172.2K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+5.1%(+8.3K)
5.5
13
MAYA TAKANO
@texaseatsfirst
𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀 📸 because phone eats first 📍HOUSTON, DALLAS, AUSTIN, etc. 📧 info@texaseatsfirst.com
Houston, United States of America
348.4K
Followers
0.15%
Engagement
+2.4%(+8.3K)
6.2
14
Katherine Salom
@girlgonegrilling
📍Houston, TX 🔥Backyard BBQ, Cooking, and Grilling Enthusiast 🥩Recipes | Things to Do | Where to Eat 💌kat@aloomamediagroup.com
Houston, United States of America
371.9K
Followers
1.24%
Engagement
+2.0%(+7.4K)
7.8
15
Tamara Bradshaw
@tamarabradshaw_home
✨Sharing My Lifestyle & Home DIY, Organizing, Home Design, Home Finds, Fashion Finds, Christmas Decoration 📍Houston/NY tamarab@viralnationtalent.com
Houston, United States of America
1.5M
Followers
0.35%
Engagement
+0.5%(+6.7K)
5.9
16
Lil Moe’s Potato Trap
@lil_moes_potatoes
Sunday (Open every other 2pm-5pm) Monday Closed Tues - Fri (5pm-8pm) Sat (2pm - 5pm) 📍8821 N Sam Houston Pkwy E, Humble Tx 77396 (Midas lot)
Houston, United States of America
215.7K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+3.0%(+6.3K)
4.7
17
Leanna Laming
@lifebyleanna
🍾 Fun, easy and holiday Recipes 🎉 🍩 Mama of 3 helping you cook up memories all year long ☀️ Houston, TX 🌸 Check out my blog /shopping links👇
Houston, United States of America
927.7K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+0.6%(+5.1K)
8.4
18
Sarah Penrod | TEXAS RECIPES & BARBECUE
@urbancowgirl
🇨🇱Recipes for Foodies Who Dream in Brisket and Queso 😀🤳🏻Pro Chef on Food Network & Good Morning Texas 👇🏻My Recipe Blog
Houston, United States of America
31.4K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+18.4%(+4.9K)
6.7
19
Buddha Lo
@buddha__lo
@husonyc Top Chef World All Stars🌎 💫 Top Chef season 19 Houston 🚀 Winner 🏆 🏆 Inquiries ✉️ teambuddhalo@buchwald.com
Houston, United States of America
266.0K
Followers
1.16%
Engagement
+1.8%(+4.7K)
6.4
20
Karen Garcia
@soycetogenica
🤤 Recetas buenisimas para cuidar de nuestra salud sin dejar de disfrutar! 💌 hola@soycetogenica.com 👇🏻 RECETARIOS 📍Houston, Tx
Houston, United States of America
995.6K
Followers
0.33%
Engagement
+0.5%(+4.6K)
6.3

About This Instagram Influencer Ranking

Discover the most influential creators in Houston 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: 11.2M potential impressions across all ranked influencers
  • Total Audience: 48.6M followers collectively following these creators
  • Average Engagement Rate: 3.73% - above industry average
  • Market Coverage: 961 total influencers analyzed in this category

Audience Demographics & Reach

The influencers in this ranking reach a diverse, global audience with primary concentrations in:

  • Top Markets: United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom
  • Gender Distribution: 61% Female, 39% Male
  • Primary Age Group: 25-34 years (40.4% of audience)
  • Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese

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 Houston on Instagram?

Yolibeth Cruz (@kokokay._) is, as of September 2025, the fastest‑growing Food & Drink creator in Houston on Instagram, with +2.1% monthly growth (+20.9K followers).

How many followers did Yolibeth Cruz (@kokokay._) gain last month?

Yolibeth Cruz (@kokokay._) gained about 20.9K followers last month (+2.1%).

Who grew more: Yolibeth Cruz (@kokokay._) or Dr.Nick,MD,CFMDL2 | Peak Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention (@thefittestdoc)?

Yolibeth Cruz (@kokokay._) grew more than Dr.Nick,MD,CFMDL2 | Peak Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention (@thefittestdoc) (20.9K vs 18.2K).

How is Dr.Nick,MD,CFMDL2 | Peak Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention (@thefittestdoc) performing right now?

Dr.Nick,MD,CFMDL2 | Peak Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention (@thefittestdoc) is growing at +7.6% (+18.2K) per month, with a Profile Score of 7.2 and average engagement of 0.26%.

How is Joao (Joe-ow) (@name.is.joao) performing right now?

Joao (Joe-ow) (@name.is.joao) is growing at +1.3% (+14.7K) per month, with a Profile Score of 7.0 and average engagement of 2.31%.

How is Leah Rudick (@leah_rudick) performing right now?

Leah Rudick (@leah_rudick) is growing at +2.0% (+13.9K) per month, with a Profile Score of 6.4 and average engagement of 0.11%.

How is TINA YOSHI (@tinayoshile) performing right now?

TINA YOSHI (@tinayoshile) is growing at +4.2% (+13.9K) per month, with a Profile Score of 3.9 and average engagement of 1.24%.

Who had the higher percentage growth: Dr.Nick,MD,CFMDL2 | Peak Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention (@thefittestdoc) or Joao (Joe-ow) (@name.is.joao)?

Dr.Nick,MD,CFMDL2 | Peak Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention (@thefittestdoc) leads (7.6% vs Joao (Joe-ow) (@name.is.joao) 1.3%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Yolibeth Cruz (@kokokay._)?

Yolibeth Cruz (@kokokay._) gained about 20.9K followers last month (+2.1%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Dr.Nick,MD,CFMDL2 | Peak Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention (@thefittestdoc)?

Dr.Nick,MD,CFMDL2 | Peak Metabolic Health and Disease Prevention (@thefittestdoc) gained about 18.2K followers last month (+7.6%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Joao (Joe-ow) (@name.is.joao)?

Joao (Joe-ow) (@name.is.joao) gained about 14.7K followers last month (+1.3%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Leah Rudick (@leah_rudick)?

Leah Rudick (@leah_rudick) gained about 13.9K followers last month (+2.0%).

What is the absolute follower gain of TINA YOSHI (@tinayoshile)?

TINA YOSHI (@tinayoshile) gained about 13.9K followers last month (+4.2%).

Is Yolibeth Cruz (@kokokay._) still a relevant creator?

Yes — Yolibeth Cruz (@kokokay._) has a Profile Score of 6.1, average engagement of 1.00%, and +2.1% (+20.9K) 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 3.73%. Generally, rates above 4.5% 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.

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 Houston?

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.