Yes the food is real, except the ice, said our guest speaker Jessica Murga. Food photography generally uses a studio or restaurant setting and really requires knowledge of food. Know the cuisine & culture, how the food is prepared, what are the ingredients and cooking methods. Plan ahead. What shots are you going to take - diner's eye view, overhead, macro, kitchen activity? What style do you want - dark & moody, bright & airy, bold & stylized?. Are you going to need props - backdrops, linens, tableware, utensils, glasses? Proper light is crucial to making the food look appetizing. Generally side lighting is best, sometimes backlighting for shiny food like soups. Deflectors and diffusers are useful depending on whether you want hard or soft lighting. Do test shots without food to get the setting right. Then add freshly prepared food to get the best image. Lots to consider but Jessica's talk was very inspiring.