Who is Landon Bridges? What the Internet Gets Wrong About the Viral Chef

Who is Landon Bridges? What the Internet Gets Wrong About the Viral Chef

You’ve probably seen the guy. He’s standing in a kitchen, maybe a little disheveled, definitely funny, and he’s whipping up something that makes your keto-diet-hating heart skip a beat.

The name is Landon Bridges.

But if you search for him, you’ll likely get a messy pile of results that include a college football player from Mississippi and a high school running back from Texas. Honestly, it’s confusing.

The Landon Bridges everyone is talking about—the one who essentially conquered TikTok and Instagram by making healthy food actually look edible—is a different breed entirely. He’s a social media chef, a songwriter, and a guy who has been remarkably open about some pretty heavy life stuff.

Landon Bridges: More Than Just a "TikTok Cook"

The real story of who is Landon Bridges starts with a "shy kid" narrative that feels surprisingly relatable. He didn't just wake up one day and decide to be a "content creator." That term feels a little too corporate for his vibe anyway.

👉 See also: Thinking About 66 Merrymeeting Rd Brunswick Maine? Here is the Real Story

Landon’s rise wasn't an overnight fluke. It was a weird, messy pivot from songwriting in Los Angeles to the world of culinary influencers. Based in LA, he spent years behind the scenes in the music industry. If you look at the liner notes of songs by artists like Stellar, you’ll find his name. He helped write tracks like "More Than Friends" and "Smoking Gun."

Then the pandemic happened. Or maybe it was just the general chaos of the LA scene.

Bridges started posting videos that blended two things that usually don't go together: legitimate culinary skill and self-deprecating comedy. He didn't try to be Gordon Ramsay. He tried to be the guy who understands you’re hungover but still want to eat a decent meal.

The "Hungover and Hungry" Strategy

Landon eventually released an e-cookbook titled Hungover and Hungry. It’s a title that basically sums up his entire brand. He realized early on that people weren't looking for Michelin-star perfection; they were looking for a reason to laugh while they prepped their meal prep containers.

One of his biggest breaks? A nod from DJ Khaled.

🔗 Read more: Finding Resthaven Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Frederick Obituaries Without the Headache

Khaled shared Landon’s content, and suddenly the "shy kid" was staring at millions of views. But while most influencers would just keep posting the same three recipes, Bridges leaned into his personality. He started talking about his health journey, his struggles with substance use, and his sobriety.

It’s that "raw" factor that makes him stick. In an era of filtered perfection, a guy who admits he got hit by a car outside a strip club (a real story he told on the 60for60 show) is going to stand out.

Why People Get Him Mixed Up

If you’re trying to figure out "who is Landon Bridges" via a quick Google search, you might end up looking at a 300-pound offensive lineman. Let’s clear that up right now so you don't accidentally ask a TikTok chef about his pass protection stats.

  1. The College Football Player: There is a Landon Bridges who plays as an interior offensive lineman. He’s been at East Central Community College and Arkansas State, eventually committing to the Central Arkansas Bears. He’s 6'2", 300 pounds, and could probably eat the TikTok Landon for breakfast.
  2. The High School Standout: Then there’s the Landon Bridges from Cypress Lakes High School in Texas. He’s a senior running back, class of 2025, known for trying to turn around a struggling program.
  3. The Leon Bridges Factor: Occasionally, people just mishear the name. Leon Bridges is the Grammy-winning soul singer from Fort Worth. Totally different guy, though both have excellent taste in style.

The Next Level Chef Era

If you think Landon is just a guy with a ring light and a spatula, you're behind the curve.

Landon Bridges has officially crossed over into "real" TV territory. He was cast for Season 5 of Next Level Chef, the high-stakes Gordon Ramsay competition. This is a massive pivot. It’s the ultimate test of whether "social media chefs" can actually handle a professional kitchen under pressure.

He’s not just there for the vibes. He’s there to prove that "trend-setting flavor mashups"—the kind that get 500k likes on Instagram—actually taste good when a world-class chef is judging them.

What Makes His Cooking Different?

  • Keto with a Twist: He doesn't make keto feel like a punishment. He focuses on high-flavor, "indulgent" healthy food.
  • The Comedy: He uses a dry, almost deadpan humor that makes the technical side of cooking less intimidating.
  • Authenticity: He’s been open about his sobriety and using cooking as a way to stay grounded.

He even has a hot sauce that ranked #27 on Amazon at one point. That’s not just influencer "merch"—that’s a legitimate business footprint.

What's Next for Landon?

Landon Bridges is currently navigating that weird space between "internet famous" and "household name."

🔗 Read more: Finding the Right Gift for Wedding Officiant Without Making It Awkward

He’s still songwriting (check out the Prince of Darkness credits from 2024), he’s still cooking, and he’s still very active on his "imlandn" handles across TikTok and Instagram.

If you're looking to follow his journey or try his recipes, his website werecookin.com is usually the hub for his latest projects. Whether he wins Next Level Chef or not, he’s already proved that you can build a massive career by simply being the most honest version of yourself—even if that version is a little hungover and very hungry.

Next Steps to Follow Landon:

  • Check the Credits: Look for his name on Spotify under pop and indie-pop tracks if you want to hear his "day job" as a songwriter.
  • Watch the Show: Follow Next Level Chef Season 5 to see if his social media skills translate to the "Top Level" kitchen.
  • Try the Sauce: If you can find his hot sauce in stock, it's widely cited by his community as one of the few influencer products actually worth the money.
  • Ignore the Football Stats: Unless you're a scout for the Central Arkansas Bears, make sure you're following @imlandn, not the offensive tackle.