Stella’s Recipe for Success: From Viral Videos to Cookbooks and Beyond

I was so excited to catch up with Stella Drivas from the food blog Hungry Happens recently. She’s always been someone who inspires me with how she turns her vision into reality.

Stella started food blogging in 2013—before TikTok, before viral videos—when Instagram was all about photos. “I always knew that if I wanted to make a living off this, I’d need a food blog,” she said. “And social media was a way to drive traffic.” When TikTok took off, she embraced it, but she’s quick to point out that not all viral success translates into website traffic. “Super viral videos are great, but they don’t always bring people to the blog. It’s about figuring out what your audience really wants.”

One of the most interesting things Stella shared was how unpredictable content can be. “Sometimes a video will go crazy viral, but because the recipe is so simple, people don’t bother going to the website. They just think, ‘I can make that without a recipe.’ But then I’ll have a video that doesn’t perform as well, and it drives tons of traffic because people need the details to get it right.”

While Stella has seen major success online, one of her proudest achievements is her upcoming cookbook. It’s been a labor of love, and she’s been working with a recipe developer and photographer to bring it to life. “I’m not much of a writer,” she laughed, “so I got some help in that department. But I still want to make sure it’s all me, you know? I’ve been really hands-on in making sure everything feels like my voice.”

Stella recently launched her Recipe Club, which she’s super excited about. The club gives subscribers access to exclusive content and tested recipes that she’s carefully curated. “I’ve wanted to do this for ages,” she shared. “It’s a bit of an investment with my time, but sometimes you just have to go for it.” The Recipe Club isn’t just about recipes—it’s about building a sense of community with her followers, something Stella feels has been missing from food blogging in recent years. “Social media kind of took over, and it became all about getting viral hits. But people still want that connection, that sense of belonging, and that’s what I’m hoping the Recipe Club will bring back.”

Stella’s daughter is now a big part of her team, something she’s really proud of. Recently graduated, her daughter has been helping out in the kitchen and with filming. “She’s amazing at it,” Stella said with a big smile. “I’m teaching her WordPress, so she’s helping me get the blog up to speed while also doing her online culinary school. I couldn’t be prouder of how far she’s come.”

When it comes to her favorite dishes, Stella had no hesitation in recommending her Chicken Gyros in a Loaf Pan. “It’s easy, it’s delicious, and everyone loves it,” she said. For dessert lovers, her Healthy Chocolate Cake is a must-try, especially with its avocado frosting. “I know, I know—avocado frosting sounds weird! But trust me, you’d never know it was there. It’s one of my family’s favorites.”

Stella’s passion for cooking is clear. “The best part for me is just being in the kitchen, creating. When it all comes together, and I get to see everyone enjoying what I made, that’s the best feeling.”

As our conversation wrapped up, I couldn’t help but admire Stella’s dedication—not just to her food blog but to constantly evolving her brand. From mastering social media to working on her cookbook, and now launching the Recipe Club, she’s a great example of someone who turns their passion into something truly meaningful.

You can find Stella’s recipes and join her Recipe Club at Hungry Happens.