Hardcor Snackie: Esther Klein's Social Media Success

Ever stand in the cookie aisle, staring at the vast varieties of Oreo cookie flavors, wondering which is good and which is an artificial tasting marketing ploy? Esther Klein, the HardCOR Snackie has the answers you seek!

Klein is a Kosher snack social media blogger who tastes and reviews fun and different Kosher snacks, so you don’t have to test any out and end up disappointed. Esther got her start when she would follow snack bloggers on Instagram, get excited about a snack, only to find out it wasn’t Kosher and she couldn’t try it. She searched the internet to find someone reviewing Kosher snacks and couldn't find a single one. That’s when Esther decided she would be the one to take on this delicious challenge.

Oreo Churros, an interesting Kosher snack Klein recently reviewed on her Instagram.

Esther, a proud Canadian from Toronto, got her undergraduate degree in communications and media at York University and graduated in 2015. She took a year off to work and then later did a post graduate degree in Journalism at Humber College and graduated August 2017.

She has always loved acting and talking to people on camera but being an actress was out of the question because of her Jewish Orthodox obligations. She started HardCOR Snackie during her journalism schooling in 2017. Many people thought it was a project for school but, in truth, Esther started it because there wasn’t anything quite like it. Also, in the back of her mind she knew she could one day use the page while applying for jobs in the entertainment field. After all, her dream is to become a news reporter.

Another interesting snack reviewed by Klein on her Instagram, pumpkin spice Cheerios.

Getting creative with her snack review videos is something Esther always tries to accomplish. She has filmed at her friend’s parties, her car, a local Jewish elementary school, a music festival, and a lot more places to keep her videos fun and spontaneous.

Klein always starts with her coined phrase “Holler HardCOR snackers.”

This past summer Esther did a journalism internship in Nepal, Asia. She saw this as an opportunity to take her videos global. She instinctively packed one suitcase with clothing, and another filled with Kosher goodies for her reviews.

“I would say my craziest video so far was when I went paragliding in Nepal and did a review in the air. I really try to have different scenes going on to make the page more than just snacks,” commented Esther on her efforts to diversify her posts.

Unique potato chip flavors reviewed by Klein on her Instagram.

Klein always rates the snacks she tries on her HardCOR Scale at the end of each video, with ratings from one to ten. She also writes a disclaimer below each video that, although you don’t see it in the video, a blessing was said prior to filming, for all the food she enjoys.

Klein also has consistent themes she likes to follow with her posts like Wellness Wednesdays where she’ll choose a healthy snack to review, Thirsty Thursday where she’ll review a drink, and Fan Fridays where she posts a video of a fan who tries to emulate her tasting and describing talents in a quick review video of their own.

Esther has tons of dedicated fans from all over the world. She’s gotten messages from Jews in France, Australia, and other countries saying how they love seeing what she reviews and they don’t have such cool Kosher snacks where they live.

“Although Jews are such a small part of the population, we are everywhere and we love food,” said Esther on why she feels Kosher foods should also get reviews and recognition.

Esther has some advice for anyone starting out as a social media personality as well.

“Consistent is key! Once you start, keep posting. People love to see that you are passionate and taking something serious,” Esther added, “And do not be discouraged! Putting yourself on the internet will mean a lot of awesome comments and a lot of nasty ones too, but that is what happens.”

“You have to just let it slide and remember what your doing is for yourself and there are people out there that are loving it,” Klein exclaimed, “Have fun with it and do not be shy to start something that is stirring in your head.”

To watch Esther and her entertaining reviews, check her out on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube pages @HardCOR_Snackie.

Author Image

Frieda@sephardic.org

Frieda Schweky is Sephardic.Org's official community events reporter. For inquiries and to get involved with our site, please contact Frieda via email.