Op-Ed | Notifications On

Notifications On for Tway Nguyen

Creators are ahead of the curve when it comes to viral trends and impactful cultural moments — they foster meaningful connections that resonate with audiences across the globe. Notifications On showcases the best and brightest Creators on Twitter. For this edition, chef Tway Nguyen, a.k.a. @twaydabae, dishes up what it takes to turn culinary skills into a creator career.

Photo of Tway Nguyen

I've been making content for a really long time, but I didn't start making cooking content until the pandemic started. My mom was the person that really got me into food because she is an amazing cook. Seeing her cook and make good food, it made me want to pursue something in the food space, but I didn't know if that was the right route to take. I didn't realize that that could be a career path for me until I decided to go to culinary school.

Background texture.

When my recipes get a lot of Retweets or are going viral on Twitter, it's such a crazy momentum because once people start sharing, it just doesn't stop. It's crazy to look at the numbers and be like, Whoa, that many people have seen my video. When I first started using Twitter, I didn't post any type of content on there, and it was mainly for connecting with my friends. I couldn't get into it at first, but there was one specific night that I kept scrolling and scrolling, and I was like, I get it now. 

 

Twitter is really unique for me because I feel like it's an open diary. Twitter's the place I go to when I want to share my thoughts, rant, or say whatever, because it's my safe space. It feels more like I'm just talking to my friends, and there’s a feeling of community and support. The Retweet button is the greatest invention of all time. It really is, because no other app really has that, you know? And I love threads because it allows me to stay organized.

 

Background texture.

My drafts? [laughs]. I feel like my drafts are my personal diary on Twitter. A lot of times when I'm upset or angry at something, I like to be like, you know what, I'm gonna save this and then see if I still feel the same way later, and if I still do, then I'll Tweet it. But if it's like Nah, you are trippin’. I'll save it.


There was a time where Megan Thee Stallion reposted my video and I don't think anything could ever top that. But there've been times where other creators that I followed would follow me back or Like my Tweet and I’d be like, Oh, wow, you notice me. I am really loving Bettina’s content. Her Tweets and her videos — I’m obsessed with them.

Background texture.

At the end of this year, I’m going to be heading to Vietnam and taking forty followers with me. I’ll be cooking over there and also working on my cookbook. I’m also working on an exciting show with Buzzfeed’s Tasty. It’s one of the brands that have really helped me with my creative journey, so it's definitely a dream come true being able to work with them. I wouldn't have any of these opportunities without social media being my outlet, you know?

 

Don’t wait until you have the quote unquote proper equipment to get started, because you can literally just use your phone and a tripod. That's still what I use to create my videos. I feel like a lot of times people will say they can't create content because they don't have the proper tools to do it, but you really don't need anything to get started — just do it.

Featured collection

Notifications On

Hear more from the best and brightest creators on Twitter in the Notifications On collection.