The internet’s latest viral sensation is an Instagram chef who’s serving up all kinds of cuteness to his over 1 million followers — oh, and did I mention he’s only 1 year old?
Home “cook’ Kobe Wian, host of the wildly popular Instagram “Kobe Eats” , is still a toddler but he’s already amassed an incredible online following, thanks to his adorable videos teaching people how to make some tasty dishes. And, of course, how to look cute while doing it.
Kobe may be the talent, but it’s his proud parents who keep his Instagram page running and posting regularly.
“We’re really practical with him and cooking was one of those things where it wasn’t even about the food at first, but learning and fine tuning motor skills. And the kitchen is the perfect place to do that,” mom Ashley Wian told ABC News . “He would have so much fun — I recorded it and it just took off from there.”
It takes the whole Wian team to film just one of Kobe’s viral cooking videos.
Ashley will start things off at 4:30 PM by prepping all the ingredients for her adorable little chef to whip into something tasty. Then, once Kobe is dressed in his signature red hat and matching apron, he’s seated at his chef’s station and the camera starts rolling.
Of course, since he’s still a toddler, most of Kobe’s “cooking” involves him grabbing and dropping ingredients that are placed in front of him.
But thanks to the magic of editing, what we see are quick cuts of this little cutie throwing together an impressive dish, all while giggling and clearly enjoying himself.
Sure, it’s a little messy and some of the ingredients end up on the ground (or on Kobe) instead of in the bowl. But that’s all part of the fun!
And if you think this chubby-cheeked cutie is just showing us how to put Cheerios in a bowl, think again.
In the video above, Kobe expertly demonstrates how to prepare lemon herb salmon, couscous, zucchini, and mushrooms. He’s also previously made pulled pork fiesta bowls , margarita chicken , and even showed off his seasoning skills on a tomahawk steak .
He also loves desserts! Check out this video where he makes a chocolate cake to celebrate hitting 100,000 subscribers — a milestone he’s definitely since surpassed.
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As of writing, the Kobe Eats Instagram page has over 1.6 million followers, and he even has some celebrity fans.
“In the beginning Jennifer Aniston liked a video of his,” Ashley said. “I freaked out. I was like, ‘Wow she knows Kobe exists.'”
Other big names who have enjoyed watching this toddler chef create delicious treats include J-Lo and Alex Rodriguez’s personal chef, actress Catherine Zeta Jones, and (believe it or not), celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
TV personality and celebrity cook Rachel Ray did more than just tune in — she actually gave Kobe a macaroni and cheese recipe which he, of course, whipped up in a flash!
Kobe’s only been on Instagram since February, but he’s already become a viral sensation with fans all over the world.
His mom said they saw a huge jump in followers around the time the coronavirus outbreak began, and that number has just kept growing while the pandemic continues.
“It makes us feel like we’re doing something right as parents to be raising a child who has the capability to make anyone smile with just a laugh,” Ashley told CNN . “We also love that it has encouraged parents to get their kids in the kitchen and sit down and eat as a family, something that is extremely important in our home.”
Ashley said the kitchen is the perfect place to encourage Kobe’s learning and passion for exploring.
“He investigates new ingredients, feels new textures, learns practical skills like pouring, scooping and measuring,” she explained. “That is why this all started, another practical thing that he can learn so much from. He has fine tuned so many motor skills just by helping me.”
“Yes it gets messy but that’s it,” she continued. “A mess is just a mess! It can be cleaned! The memories we make will last forever.”
If you want to follow Kobe’s adorable adventures in the kitchen, check out his Instagram page !
