Benji, known as the UK’s number one “snackfisher,” has captured the online food community’s attention with his Instagram account, UK Snack Attack. Unlike a typical “catfish”—a person creating a false identity online for scams—Benji twists this concept into a playful social media venture centered around bizarre snacks. His posts feature outlandish items such as pistachio-flavored Coco Pops, pickle-shaped Haribo, and mint Coca-Cola. The journey began in 2019 when Benji and his university housemates embarked on a quest to find rare Fanta flavors, turning their exploratory tastings into a celebratory ritual. Benji’s fascination with unconventional food items grew, leading him to share his finds on his personal Instagram until he realized he was overwhelming his friends, prompting him to create a dedicated account.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges for food enthusiasts like Benji, as shopping for groceries became less appealing. He adapted by turning to food creation during lockdown. Following online recipes, he began experimenting with chocolate spreads every Saturday, coining the phrase “Spread Saturday.” Displaying his creative flair, Benji also began to design fake labels for his concoctions, humorously imitating branding of real products. However, his playful ventures caught the eye of a company, which prompted him to clarify that his creations were not real in order to avoid confusion among consumers. Thus, the concept of “snackfishing” was born, enabling him to combine creativity and humor while cleverly engaging audiences.
As Benji’s following grew, he started showcasing his snackfishing antics in stores. Initially greeted with bewilderment from friends and family, they soon joined in his enthusiastic pursuits, celebrating milestones like hitting 200,000 followers with special outings. Benji’s posts have evolved to include disclaimers emphasizing that his creations do not exist in the real world, helping to maintain transparency with his audience. Additionally, his account has expanded to share rumor-based updates about authentic snacks, drawing some grievances from brands who have issued cease-and-desist orders against him, yet maintaining a playful and prevalent presence within the foodie community.
The creative process for Benji’s snackfishing begins with brainstorming ideas and often involves computer-generated images of his wacky snack concepts. While he occasionally photoshops entirely fictional items, he also loves to experiment with actual food combinations that get him excited, such as hybrid snacks like Milkybar-dipped Pringles. Benji dreams of writing a snackfish recipe book one day, although his ultimate aspiration would be to collaborate with a company to bring one of his outlandish creations to market, turning his whimsical ideas into realities that others could enjoy.
Despite the entertaining nature of snackfishing, it’s clear that Benji’s venture is grounded more in fun than profit. Although he hasn’t monetized his account, he expresses a desire for his hobby to remain enjoyable rather than a job. He finds joy and fulfillment in crafting these playful food concepts, using the twist of snackfishing as a creative escape from his daily life immersed in numbers as a computing student. For Benji, the joy he derives from the process far outweighs any desire for fame or fortune that might be tied to his snacklike creativity.
Ultimately, the whimsical world of “snackfishing” presents a refreshing take on social media engagement through inventive and humorous food items. While Benji’s creations like clear ketchup or lemon Nutella may never reach store shelves, the heart of his endeavor lies in the enthusiasm and creativity he pours into each post. By emphasizing enjoyment and spontaneity, Benji champions the idea that sometimes, the simplest hobbies can transform into significant personal outlets, building connections within a community of fellow food lovers eager to share in the quirky culinary adventure.
