Joshua Weissman

Joshua Weissman (born January 9, 1996) is an American chef, YouTube content creator, and bestselling cookbook author known for his instructional food videos and culinary entertainment content. He gained widespread recognition on social media for his high-energy production style, detailed recipe breakdowns, and popular recurring video concepts such as "But Better" and "But Cheaper," where he recreates or elevates popular fast-food items and budget meals from scratch.

Early Life and Career

Born in Los Angeles, California, Weissman developed an interest in cooking at a young age. As a teenager, he began writing recipes and documenting his health journey after losing significant weight, leading to the publication of his early food blog and a 2014 cookbook titled The Slim Palate Cookbook. After moving to Austin, Texas, Weissman pursued professional cooking experience in fine-dining kitchens, working for nearly three years as a line cook and prep cook at the prominent Austin restaurant Uchiko, as well as at Odd Duck. During this period, he developed skills in fine dining, food styling, and fermentation.

YouTube and Digital Media Success

In 2015, Weissman launched his self-titled YouTube channel to share recipe tutorials, cooking tips, and culinary entertainment. He transitioned to full-time content creation in 2018. His channel grew rapidly behind signature series such as "But Better," "But Cheaper," and "Making Everything from Scratch." His distinct editing style, enthusiastic presentation, and focus on fundamental culinary techniques attracted millions of subscribers. Beyond YouTube, Weissman has built a substantial presence across platforms including TikTok and Instagram, expanding his reach as one of the most prominent digital food creators in the United States.

Cookbooks and Recognition

Weissman solidified his standing in traditional culinary media with the release of his major cookbook, Joshua Weissman: An Unapologetic Cookbook, published in 2021. The book became a number-one New York Times bestseller in the advice and how-to category. He followed up with his next cookbook, Texture Over Taste, released in 2023, which also earned widespread commercial success and reached bestseller lists. In addition to his publishing success, Weissman was featured in Variety's 2021 Young Hollywood Impact Report and won a Streamy Award for his culinary content.

Personal Life

Weissman is based in Austin, Texas, where he operates his primary production studio and kitchen. He is married to Kate Weissman (née Rosendahl), who has frequently appeared as a guest in his videos and social media content.