Growing up in Manchester before moving to Iran at the age of five, Mr. Taster was exposed to a unique blend of cultures early on. The contrasting flavours of Persian cuisine and British food played a crucial role in shaping his passion for exploring different culinary traditions. “Experiencing the richness of Persian flavours alongside the tastes of my birthplace broadened my palate and ignited a lifelong love for food,” he shares.
His journey as a food influencer began unexpectedly in 2010. After attending the SES Search Engine Strategies conference in London, he visited a local restaurant and tried baby octopus for the first time. The experience fascinated him so much that he decided to post a picture of the dish on Facebook. “To my surprise, that post received 440 likes—far more than my marketing-related content ever did,” he recalls. It was a moment of realisation. The enthusiasm people had for food content was evident, and the universal appeal of culinary experiences became clear to him. This sparked an idea. What started as a simple social media post eventually led to the creation of the Mr. Taster persona, a name that would soon become synonymous with food exploration and storytelling.
At the time, balancing his role as CEO of Kaspid with his growing passion project was challenging. “I was running a digital marketing company while trying to explore my love for food,” he explains. But as Mr. Taster gained traction, it became clear where his heart truly belonged. “Eventually, my business partner took over Kaspid, which allowed me to fully dedicate myself to my true passion—food,” he says.
Delivering a TED Talk in 2017 marked a pivotal moment in his career. Standing on that stage, he spoke about how his background in web design and marketing seamlessly intertwined with his love for food. “That experience reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling and digital engagement,” he reflects. The overwhelmingly positive response encouraged him to integrate those elements even more deeply into his brand.
However, building Iran’s first widely recognised personal food brand was far from easy. In the early days, content creation presented unexpected challenges. “Restaurants were hesitant about being filmed. Many didn’t understand the value of food blogging, and I had to find creative ways to showcase their food,” he says. Another major hurdle was honesty in reviews. “Whenever I shared negative feedback, some restaurant owners didn’t take it well. I faced backlash, legal complaints, and even had to defend my reviews in court.” But despite these struggles, he remained steadfast in his commitment to authenticity. “People eventually started appreciating genuine reviews, and restaurants began to see the power of social media,” he notes. These challenges, rather than discouraging him, fuelled his determination to turn Mr. Taster into a trusted brand.
Through it all, one person stood by him—his wife, Pegah. “Getting married to Pegah was a turning point in my journey,” he says with a smile. “She has always been my biggest supporter, especially during tough times.” Their love story began in an unexpected place—Facebook. “She has been my rock, lifting me up whenever things got difficult.” But Pegah’s role extends beyond emotional support. She actively contributes to content creation, helping with filming, brainstorming ideas, and handling behind-the-scenes work. “Her involvement has strengthened my storytelling and deepened my connection with my audience,” he adds.
As Mr. Taster’s influence grew, his work started gaining significant recognition. Being featured as one of the top Iranian influencers was a milestone moment. “It validated years of hard work. In the early days, food blogging wasn’t taken seriously. But through consistency, engaging storytelling, and authentic reviews, I built a brand that people trusted,” he says. The acknowledgment placed him among the world’s leading food bloggers and motivated him to push further. “This encouraged me to expand globally and continue sharing food and culture with a worldwide audience,” he says.
His interview with Hiba from Cloud Nine Couture was another highlight of his career. “It was an incredible experience. I got to reflect on my journey, discuss my challenges, and share my passion for food,” he recalls. For Mr. Taster, these conversations serve as an opportunity to inspire and connect with others who share his love for culinary storytelling.
One of his biggest missions has always been to showcase the rich food culture of his country. With that in mind, he personally invited some of the world’s most renowned food bloggers—including The Food Ranger and Mark Wiens—to Iran. “I wanted them to experience Persian food firsthand and share it with their global audiences,” he explains. The effort was purely driven by passion. “I did it from the heart, with the sole intention of introducing the incredible cuisine of Iran to the world,” he says. Now that he has moved to Dubai, his mission remains unchanged. “Dubai is a melting pot of cultures with an amazing food scene. I want to bring global attention to the incredible diversity of flavours here—just as I did in Iran,” he shares. For him, food is more than just nourishment; it is a universal language of peace. “Food has the power to connect people and cultures, and I will continue to use it for that purpose,” he says.
His influence in the food world even extended to cinema. In 2018, he was featured in the film Pastarioni, a unique and exciting experience. “It was my first time appearing in a movie, and what made it even more special was that the film was actually inspired by my story,” he reveals. Seeing his journey brought to life on screen was surreal. “I absolutely loved being part of it,” he adds.
Looking back, Mr. Taster’s path from digital marketer to one of the world’s leading food influencers has been nothing short of extraordinary. The challenges were many—skepticism from restaurants, legal battles, and the struggle to be taken seriously in the early days of food blogging. But through perseverance, passion, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity, he transformed his love for food into a global movement.
For aspiring food bloggers, his advice is simple: stay true to your passion, be consistent, and never compromise on honesty. “It’s not about chasing trends—it’s about telling real stories and sharing genuine experiences,” he says.
From documenting his first bite of baby octopus to bringing Persian and Middle Eastern cuisine to the world stage, Mr. Taster has redefined what it means to be a food influencer. His journey is a testament to the power of storytelling, the impact of digital media, and the undeniable connection between food and culture. And as he continues to explore new flavours and destinations, one thing is certain—his mission is far from over.
