Why pay for food when you can earn money by eating? That sounds like an ideal job, which could be yours if it suits your taste. How about you give it a try and get paid to eat?
With advancing technology and rising get-paid-to (GPT) sites, new and different ways to make extra money have become profitable to those seeking to make money.
Monetize your inner foodie by earning extra money from eating delectable dishes. Select the gig most suitable for your interests and needs from this article’s curated list of legitimate ways to get paid for indulging in your love for food.
Explore various ways to make more money while enjoying your favorite meals and snacks, staying cautious of scams, and focusing on the best ways to start making money.
26 Legit Ways To Get Paid To Eat
Ever wondered if you could make some money while savoring your favorite dishes? Yes, it’s a thing! And guess what? You don’t need Gordon Ramsay’s culinary skills to earn from it. Let’s dive right into the 26 ways to get paid to eat.
1. Earn Cashback On Food And Groceries
Have you ever thought about turning those receipts into cash? Well, you can. Download cashback apps like Fetch Rewards, Swagbucks, or Rakuten, snap a pic of your grocery bill, and voilà – you’ve just saved some bucks.
2. Food Critic
Do you love delicious food and enjoy describing it well? You can turn these interests into an odd job as a food critic. It might seem odd, but it means you’ll get to eat fantastic food and write about it.
Magazines and major media sites are searching for people who can dive into a dish, savor it, and then write an evocative review.
3. Taste Tester
Imagine your job, tasting the newest chip flavor or a zesty dip. Big food brands need discerning tongues to help refine their products. If you’ve got a degree in food science or culinary arts, this could be your ticket to getting paid for indulging.
4. Mystery Shopper
As a restaurant mystery shopper, you’ll feast while being the eyes and ears. Your mission? Judge the meal’s taste, critique the wine, gauge the service, clock the waiter’s speed, and even rate the ambiance. But discretion is key. Plus, pack those eloquent feedback skills; they’re your ticket.
5. Food Tester
As a food tester, you’ll indulge in new delicacies, ranging from exotic spices to mouth-watering pastries. Career path? A degree in food science or culinary arts paves the way. For instance:
- Red Robin Panelist: In Colorado? Love Red Robin? How about eating free menu items just for sharing thoughts?
- McCormick Product Testing: Residing near Hunt Valley, Maryland? Join the bandwagon and critique McCormick’s latest.
- Contract Testing: Get compensated for savoring cookies, sipping wine, or slurping soup.
6. Food Blogger
Turn your food adventures into stories. The digital age offers plenty of platforms for websites, vlogs, or even YouTube channels. Need inspiration? Pinch of Yum, a blogging giant, once revealed their revenue stream crossing $100,000 in just a month.
7. Get Paid To Eat On Camera
Dive into the viral trend from South Korea: mukbang. It means “eating broadcast.” Here, people film themselves eating and then share the footage on platforms like YouTube. Build a loyal audience, and you can make decent money through ads and brand tie-ups.
8. Venture As A Food Writer
Do you have a knack for writing with a side of delicious meals? Big media websites and magazines are always looking for food reviewers. Share your experience with taste, ambiance, and service.
Note: A relevant bachelor’s degree might help. Top magazines include Bon Appetit, Eating Well, and Brew Your Own.
9. Tackle Competitive Eating
Got a huge appetite? You can participate in restaurant challenges. Websites like Major League Eating list contests where wins might make your wallet heavier by hundreds to thousands.
10. Food Photographer
Ever seen a burger look so enticing you could almost taste it through the screen? That’s the magic of a skilled food photographer. They capture the essence of culinary delights, and top-tier restaurants and magazines compensate them handsomely.
11. Influencer
From sizzling street foods to five-star feasts, food influencers give their followers a virtual taste tour. Establishing a strong online presence in socials like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram can attract brand collaborations and sponsorships. The more your followers drool, the fatter your wallet gets.
12. Food Podcaster
Bite, chew, and talk your way into earnings. By discussing the latest food trends or interviewing chefs, food podcasters create an audio-gourmet experience for their audience. Passion, knowledge, and a good microphone can produce delicious monetary rewards.
13. Join An Affiliate Program
Ever toyed with the idea of getting paid while munching? Well, step right into the world of affiliate marketing. Platforms like ShareASale and CJ.com brim with drool-worthy food affiliate gigs.
Just sign up, pick a food program, and voila! – your next snack could ring the cash register.
14. Dive Into Food Research
Remember when I chatted about those online studies? Universities around your block might need your taste buds for genuine food research. Last year? Avocados. This year? Who knows? Keep an eye out.
15. Become A Babysitter
Babysitting? More like babysitting and dining! Often, when caring for kids, mealtime becomes a shared experience. So, while watching little Timmy or Sarah, parents may just cover your meal costs. And guess what? That’s not just a meal but also a paycheck.
16. Get Paid To Review Restaurants
Restaurant reviewing is your arena if the pen and palate are your weapons. Venture into eateries, sample their offerings, and then pen down everything – the flavor, ambiance, service, and more. As a freelancer, this gig doesn’t just satisfy your tummy but also your wallet.
Apps That Pay You To Eat
17. Dosh
With Dosh, you can stack up 5-10% cash back when you grab a bite at selected restaurants. Get started? Easy-peasy. Grab the app, toss in some basic info, link up your card, and decide where you want that lovely cash to land – bank or PayPal.
18. Consumer Product Testing Centre (CPTC)
CPTC is a Canadian hub that allows everyday people to savor various delectable dishes from different restaurants. The catch? Well, there isn’t much of a catch. You share your thoughts on these dishes and earn $15 per session.
19. MysteryDining.Net
MysteryDining.net allows you to savor free meals and enjoy a complimentary hotel stay. You’ll visit specific restaurants as a participant and then share a detailed report of your experience.
20. Schwan Food Company
Schwan Food Company costs at least $15 for every tasting gig. Gear up for a flavorful ride as they roll out these opportunities up to thrice a month. More food, more fun.
21. Servy App
The Servy App isn’t just your regular app. It’s your passport to rewards every time you munch out. Whether you’re an Android lover or an iOS enthusiast, you’re in for a treat. Just tap, install, and get ready to feast.
22. IDine
At iDine, your dining habits feed your wallet. The set-up isn’t a buffet, but the more you splurge, the fatter your cash back gets. Hovering below $750 yearly spent on those scrumptious meals? Expect a 5% cash back.
23. Drop
Create an account on Drop. Link not one, but as many credit or debit cards as you fancy. Pick five brands you’re feeling. Then, let the points roll in as you roll those sushi.
24. Gambeal
Savor a meal worth at least $6 at your favorite taco joint or burger haven. Once the flavors settle, whip out that receipt, pop it onto the app, and dish out your review.
25. Seated
Seated is a little genie on your phone that rewards you for simply reserving tables in posh town places. Get started by downloading their free app – available for both iOS and Android.
26. MarketForce
MarketForce is an acclaimed mystery shopping company that’s been serving the game of traditional restaurant and store observations. If you indulge at an eatery that MarketForce handpicks, you’re looking at pocketing anywhere between $15 to $35.
This article originally appeared on Radical FIRE and is republished with permission.
