Discover how Columbus, Indiana native Justin Holmes turned backyard recipes into a digital cooking empire with over 5 million fans. Hear his story.
What happens when a Bartholomew County dad starts sharing his home cooking on TikTok? You get Holmes Cooking, a viral Indiana food brand with millions of followers. Columbus native Justin Holmes blends Hoosier hospitality, family humor, and down-home recipes to make the internet a tastier place. So, how did a guy from Columbus East High School end up building a social media empire? Let’s dig in.
A Humble Start in Columbus, Indiana
Justin grew up in Columbus, learning to cook through the C4 program at McDowell Education Center. Inspired by chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Alton Brown, he found a love for food early on. But content creation? That didn’t start until 2020, when COVID lockdowns left him experimenting in the kitchen, and posting it to TikTok. His first video? White chicken chili. His first viral hit? That same video racking up nearly 800,000 views overnight.
From Crockpots to Creator Funds: Holmes Cooking Takes Off…