Born in Abu Dhabi and spending the first 13 years of his life there, the worldwide economic recession compelled Akio Fernandes’ family to move back to Goa in 2008 and that shift eventually set Akio on the path to becoming a content creator and food blogger.
Early career
After completing my BBA at Saraswat College in Mapusa, I dabbled in freelancing. I explored sports journalism by writing for Sportskeeda.com, covering events like the FIFA under-17 World Cup in Goa and an entire season of FC Goa. I also wrote for local newspapers; my first breakthrough came as a columnist for ‘The Goan’ where I penned food articles twice a month. My early freelancing work involved managing social media for restaurants in Goa – a side gig I maintained until Covid hit. Post-pandemic, I landed a job with FC Goa, which gave me a unique insight into professional social media management.
Starting @thehungrywolfgoa
In 2016, I launched my Instagram page, @thehungrywolfgoa. Next year marks a decade since I started the page, and although I never had any formal culinary training, my lifelong love of food, which began in the UAE, has always driven me. I grew up with exposure to diverse cuisines – from KFC to sushi in malls – and every new culinary trend in Goa only fuelled my passion. I was heavily influenced by shows like MasterChef, which taught me to appreciate flavours and presentation. Early on, I posted pictures on Facebook of the food I enjoyed, and soon people began asking for details about the restaurants I visited. That’s when I decided to start a blog and document my culinary adventures in a more detailed way.
The turning point
I remember attending a food and cultural festival in Panaji, where a novel food truck called Antojitos caught my attention. They served an eclectic mix of Mexican food –from medium-rare steak to tacos, burgers, and hot dogs – all from a truck. I sampled so many dishes that I couldn’t contain my excitement in a single Facebook post. I wrote a 2000-word article about the truck and its six or seven unique dishes, and that post really resonated with readers. Naming my blog @thehungrywolfgoa was a spontaneous decision, a nod to my constant hunger and a subtle tribute to my love for Game of Thrones at the time.
Content style
I wanted to create a virtual diary that not only captured my journey but also served as a guide for college students and food enthusiasts seeking new places to eat. I never planned elaborate themes or aesthetics for my posts. Back then, I would take raw, natural photos with my phone – pictures that captured the view from a dinner table as I looked down at my meal. I strove to convey every detail: the first bite, the evolving flavours, and the overall experience.
As the digital landscape evolved, so did my content. With the rise of short attention spans and the popularity of Instagram reels, I began transitioning to video content about a year and a half ago. I now capture food up close and provide detailed voiceovers to share my immediate impressions and thoughts. Although I still love writing, I realised that videos could offer the same authenticity and immediacy that my long-form articles once did.
Challenges
Despite all the positive experiences, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Early on, my parents were understandably skeptical about my passion, seeing it more as a hobby than a viable pursuit. There’s also the ongoing struggle of getting paid in a market like Goa, where many restaurant owners are skeptical about the value of social media promotion. Explaining that the cost of a meal and my work to create content can easily turn into a worthwhile investment has been a constant hurdle. Many restaurant owners, especially those outside Goa, understand and readily pay for my services, but convincing local businesses remains a challenge.
Growth and engagement
Through perseverance, my follower count has grown from around 5000 to now approximately 7,500 since I started uploading reels in the past one and half years. It’s not just about the numbers for me, though. I value genuine engagement; some of my reels garner views and shares that far exceed those of other food bloggers with higher follower counts. For me, authenticity and consistency have always been more important than chasing trends or inflating numbers with fake followers.
Beyond food blogging
My journey in content creation extends beyond food. I’m also a devoted football fan, a passion that dates back to my early years in Abu Dhabi. I’ve been a Manchester City supporter since 2008, and I even serve as the president of one of India’s official Manchester City supporters clubs.
Future plans
Looking to the future, I’m excited about the possibility of expanding my content. I dream of hosting my own food show, travelling across India – or even the world – to explore and explain the origins and intricacies of various cuisines. While it’s not clear if I’ll ever take this passion full time, the idea of producing long-form videos or launching a dedicated YouTube channel is something I’d love to see come to fruition.
Advice for aspiring creators
For anyone aspiring to be a content creator, my advice is simple: be yourself. Find your niche, stay true to your passion, and focus on authenticity rather than chasing numbers. It’s easy to get distracted by trends or compare yourself to others, but in the end, genuine passion always resonates with an audience.
