Firoz Chuttipara
Born: 5 May 1984 (age 41)
Place: Elappully, Palakkad, Kerala, India
Occupation: YouTuber
YouTube Channels: Village Food Channel & Travel Master
Years active: 2018–present
Genre: Cooking
Subscribers: Village Food Channel – 9.12 million, Travel Master – 1.83 million
Views: Village Food Channel – 2.12 billion, Travel Master – 119 million
From Welding Rods to Wooden Ladles
The smoke rises even before sunrise. In a green village area near Palakkad, a wood fire burns under a huge cooking vessel, big enough to look like a small boat. Around it, many people work together. Some cut vegetables, some stir, some add spices. A camera records everything as steam rises into the air.
The smell of coconut oil, tamarind, and roasted spices fills the space. Children watch from behind banana trees. Elderly women in simple sarees give quiet advice about the cooking. And in the middle of all this stands Firoz Chuttipara. He is not shouting instructions like a director. He is laughing. Laughing at jokes, at the joy of cooking food for thousands, and maybe at how unbelievable his life has become.
This is not just a food video. It feels like a community gathering where a camera happens to be present. That small difference is powerful. It is why more than nine million people around the world choose to watch his videos again and again.
Before the Channel
To understand Village Food Channel, you need to know who Firoz was before it began.
He is from Malappuram, a district in Kerala known for its large population and modest income levels. Like many Keralites, he left home to work in the Gulf.
Firoz grew up in Chuttipara, a small place that later became part of his name online. His childhood was shaped by strong community bonds and simple village life. His family was not rich in money, but rich in culture and hospitality. Cooking large meals for weddings, festivals, and neighbors was a normal part of life.
These memories stayed with him. Later, he worked in Saudi Arabia as a welder. It was stable work. It helped support his family. But it was not his passion. Years passed. Like many others working abroad, he started missing home deeply. Slowly, the idea of doing something different began to grow in his mind.
The Beginning: Village Food Channel in 2018
After returning to Kerala, Firoz started Village Food Channel on YouTube in 2018.
The early days were simple. He had a basic camera, an outdoor space, and an idea. He wanted to cook the way his village always had, using firewood, large vessels, and real people.
The first videos were basic. Dishes like fish curry, biriyani, and porridge. No fancy editing. No studio kitchen. But that simplicity became his strength.
At a time when many food videos looked modern and polished, Firoz showed something real and raw. He cooked in open spaces, using traditional tools. Without planning it fully, he filled a gap people didn’t even realize was missing.
Soon, some videos became popular. People from Kerala living abroad watched and felt connected to home again. Comments poured in. Shares increased. Subscribers grew quickly.
What Makes the Videos Special
Village Food Channel has a clear and unique style.
Huge cooking vessels. Open outdoor locations. Firewood cooking. Large quantities of food. And always, many people working together.
Firoz and his team, including his friend Ubaid, often cook for hundreds or even thousands of people. This is not just for show. It reflects Kerala’s tradition of cooking large meals for weddings, festivals, and community events.
The videos are simple. No dramatic editing. No loud background music. The camera focuses on the food, the fire, and the people.
You don’t need to understand Malayalam to enjoy it. The visuals, the process, and the emotions are enough.
From a Village to the World
By the early 2020s, the channel became one of India’s most popular food channels.
By late 2025, it crossed over 9.1 million subscribers.
A big part of the audience comes from Malayalis living abroad, in countries like the UAE, UK, USA, and Australia. For them, the channel feels like home.
But many viewers are not from Kerala at all. People from different countries watch out of curiosity and fascination. Some even react to his videos on YouTube.
The platform itself helped. Long videos showing the full cooking process keep people watching for a long time. Viewers don’t just click and leave. They stay.
Beyond YouTube: Feeding People in Real Life
What makes this channel different is what happens after filming.
The food is not wasted. It is distributed to people in need. Orphanages, poor communities, disaster victims.
During Kerala floods, Firoz and his team cooked for relief camps. During COVID-19, they helped feed migrant workers and daily wage earners.
This is not just content. It is real impact. People watching feel like they are part of something meaningful.
Records and Recognition
In 2024, Firoz created one of the biggest highlights of his journey.
He made the world’s longest puttu, a famous Kerala breakfast dish. This earned recognition in an Indian Guinness World Record category.
It was more than just a record. It showed that even simple, traditional food can gain global attention.
Criticism and Challenges
Not everything is perfect.
Cooking with firewood raises environmental concerns, especially about wood usage and pollution. Some people also question whether such large-scale cooking can lead to food waste.
There is also pressure to keep making bigger and more exciting content to maintain popularity.
So far, Firoz has handled these challenges carefully, staying close to his original style.
The Business Side
Village Food Channel is also a business. With millions of views, YouTube ads bring in significant income. Brand deals with food and kitchen-related companies add more revenue.
However, Firoz has been careful. He does not over-promote brands. He chooses partnerships that match his content style, keeping the authenticity intact.
What It Represents
Village Food Channel shows a side of Kerala that is slowly disappearing. Community cooking. Shared meals. Simple living.
For young people, especially those living in cities or abroad, it acts like a window into the past.
For older viewers, it feels like home.
Looking Ahead
Firoz did not plan to become famous. He simply started cooking and sharing it. That honesty is what built his audience.
In the future, the channel may grow into bigger platforms. Many new creators are already inspired by him.
But his real success is simple. He proved that authenticity, community, and the act of cooking together can connect millions of people.
At the end of the day, it is not just about food. It is about people, memory, and belonging.
