Burlington Cook Ryder Manske Has a Serious Online Following

The 22-year-old Hen of the Wood line cook has thousands of followers of his low-key, self-produced recipe videos. Just don't call him an influencer.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Ryder Manske, a 22-year-old line cook at Hen of the Wood in Burlington, Vermont, has built a significant online following through his self-produced recipe videos on Instagram and TikTok. Despite his growing social media presence, Manske has no interest in becoming a full-time influencer and remains dedicated to his restaurant work.

Why it matters

Manske's story highlights the growing trend of professional chefs and cooks building personal brands and monetizing their online content, while still maintaining their culinary careers. His success also demonstrates the potential for young, charismatic creators to build substantial followings through authentic, low-key content.

The details

Manske spends up to two hours producing each three-minute recipe video, which he cross-posts on Instagram and TikTok to around 60,000 followers on each platform. His videos feature his "gangly puppy energy" and confident declarations, which have earned him an agent and some sponsored posts. Manske's social media trajectory got a boost from his two years working with chef Brandon Dearden at the restaurant Ember, where a video of Manske making the restaurant's signature 24-hour potato pavé went viral with over 20 million views.

  • Manske posted his first video less than two years ago.
  • In late 2022, at age 18, Manske drove cross-country to help open Ember restaurant in Montana.
  • An April 2024 video starring Manske making Ember's signature dish went viral.

The players

Ryder Manske

A 22-year-old line cook at Hen of the Wood in Burlington, Vermont, who has built a significant online following through his self-produced recipe videos.

Brandon Dearden

The chef who Manske worked with for two years at the restaurant Ember, where Manske gained exposure that helped boost his social media following.

Lucas Wohl

Manske's agent at Viral Nation, a talent agency that represents about 40 culinary content creators.

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What they’re saying

“It's almost like you're in the room with him. It's not too doctored, not overproduced. I think it makes people feel like they're part of his life.”

— Lucas Wohl, Manske's agent (sevendaysvt.com)

“If you let negative comments slow you down, you're never going to do anything good on social media. Unfortunately, that's just the harsh reality.”

— Ryder Manske (sevendaysvt.com)

The takeaway

Manske's story demonstrates the potential for young, charismatic culinary professionals to build substantial online followings through authentic, low-key content, while still maintaining their careers in the restaurant industry. His success highlights the growing trend of chefs and cooks leveraging social media to monetize their personal brands.