Meet Andy Hearnden, the professional chef behind the viral food account, Andy Cooks.
He shares easy-to-follow home cooking recipes with more than 6 million followers on TikTok and over 5.9 million on YouTube, and also posts on Instagram.
Let’s dive into his journey from restaurant kitchens to social media stardom, his personal life, and what makes his content so special.
How old is Andy Cooks?
Andy Cooks is set to turn 40 in 2025, with his birthday falling on October 5th, making him a Libra. He shares his 1985 birth year with other stars like Bruno Mars, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Anna Kendrick.
Where is Andy Cooks from?
Andy is a proud Kiwi, originally from Wellington, New Zealand.
He later moved to Auckland before eventually settling on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, where he films his videos today.
Andy Cooks's family and personal life
The "babe" in his famous "Hey babe, what do you want for dinner?" line is his wife, Katelyn Flood. She's not just his partner in life but also in business, acting as the managing director for the Andy Cooks brand.
His love for food started super early, helping his mom in the kitchen when he was just three years old. He also has a brother and spent some of his childhood living on a family poultry farm.
Andy Cooks's journey as a creator
Andy's secret sauce is his mix of pro-chef skills and down-to-earth, authentic cooking that makes everyone feel like they can cook too.
- He kicked things off on TikTok during the pandemic after losing his chef job, often making whatever his wife, Katelyn, was craving.
- His videos blew up, gaining millions of followers in just a few months, and he quickly expanded his foodie empire to Instagram and YouTube.
- Now, he has a massive online following, a published cookbook, and runs the whole show with Katelyn.
- A cool fact: Andy is dyslexic, making his cookbook an even bigger personal win!
What kinds of followers does Andy Cooks have?
Andy's followers are a huge mix of food lovers, including home cooks looking for easy dinner ideas and aspiring chefs wanting to learn new tricks. His audience ranges from young adults who found him on TikTok to an older crowd that loves his no-fuss approach to making great food.
Mostly, people follow him for the fun, accessible recipes that make you actually want to get in the kitchen. They're also inspired by his journey from professional chef to a social media superstar, all while keeping it real.
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