William “Sonny” Sonbuchner was born on August 22, 1984. He is a native of St. Cloud, Minnesota, a small city in the American Midwest. He grew up in a modest family environment in central Minnesota. In interviews he has recalled that his childhood diet was very simple, he said his family often ate inexpensive foods like canned fruit and that he didn’t taste a fresh peach until his twenties. He also remembered that dinner tables always included a large plate of bread or toast so the family would have enough to eat. These details suggest a frugal Midwestern upbringing in St. Cloud.
Sonbuchner attended Sauk Rapids Rice High School in the St. Cloud area. After high school he enrolled in college, but he did not complete a degree. The Star Tribune reports that “Side flunked out of three colleges” after graduating from Sauk Rapids Rice High School. This indicates that he pursued further education briefly but ultimately did not finish college.
From a young age Sonbuchner had an interest in media and filmmaking. He later described pursuing an “old high school passion” for film and video making. In other words, he had been drawn to storytelling and film production since his teenage years.
| Fact Category | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Sonbuchner |
| Public Name | Sonny Side |
| Date of Birth | August 22, 1984 |
| Birthplace | St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Attended college; no degree completed |
| Early Life | Raised in a modest household |
| Profession | Filmmaker and YouTube creator |
| Notable Work | Best Ever Food Review Show |
| Career Origin | Filmmaking developed in South Korea |
| Time Abroad | Lived in South Korea for several years |
| Content Focus | Street food and local cuisine |
| Platform Reach | ~10 million YouTube subscribers |
| Revenue Model | YouTube, Patreon, merchandise |
| Net Worth Status | No verified public estimate (2026) |
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Will Sonbuchner Career Overview
Will “Sonny Side” Sonbuchner is an American filmmaker and travel vlogger, best known as the creator and host of the YouTube series Best Ever Food Review Show (BEFRS).
Under his direction, BEFRS has grown into a major food and travel series with a global audience. Sonbuchner travels extensively to film episodes in diverse countries, from street markets in Asia to local eateries across the world.
His vibrant on-camera personality and enthusiastic storytelling have attracted a large audience globally. This overview highlights Sonbuchner’s career milestones and the innovative media presence he has built in digital food and travel entertainment.
Early Career & Entry into Filmmaking
After graduating from high school in Minnesota, Sonbuchner moved abroad to pursue new challenges. He spent about eight years in South Korea teaching English and simultaneously learning the fundamentals of film production.
During that period he even produced video work for emerging K-pop music acts, honing his skills behind the camera. These early international experiences gave him a solid technical foundation and a passion for global cuisine and culture that would shape his future career.
Best Ever Food Review Show: Career Breakthrough
In 2017 Sonbuchner assembled a small production team to launch the Best Ever Food Review Show. Inspired by food-travel programs like Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations and Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods, he set out to create his own global food series.
Working with a lean crew, he began releasing new episodes roughly twice a week, focusing on street foods and authentic local dishes.
BEFRS quickly became a breakout success: within a few years it amassed millions of viewers and gained significant press attention. This career breakthrough established Sonbuchner as a prominent creator in the online food and travel space.
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Expertise in Food, Travel & Cultural Storytelling
Sonny Side filming at a local market in Papua New Guinea, highlighting the show’s on-the-ground storytelling.
Sonbuchner’s expertise lies in blending food tasting with cultural storytelling. He often emphasizes that cuisine is a universal language – he points out that “people in every nation take pride in their food… If you like their food, it’s a way for them to feel closer to you.”
This philosophy shows up in BEFRS episodes, where he interacts with local cooks and market vendors to share not only the dishes but also the traditions behind them.
The show deliberately focuses on authentic street food and market fare rather than upscale restaurants, and Sonbuchner frequently reassures viewers about food safety, noting that most street vendors rely on a spotless reputation (“if they made people sick, they wouldn’t be in business for long”).
By treating each meal as a cultural story, Sonbuchner has become known for a respectful, immersive approach to global cuisine.
Global Reach, Audience Growth & Media Authority
Sonny Side and the BEFRS crew shooting street food scenes in Papua New Guinea. BEFRS has expanded from a humble web series into a globally recognized brand. The channel boasts on the order of ten million YouTube subscribers, and its fanbase extends to millions more followers on other social platforms.
Sonbuchner and his crew have filmed episodes in dozens of countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
Tourism organizations have taken notice: in 2024 the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority invited Sonbuchner to highlight the country’s unique cuisine, explicitly citing his millions of viewers to promote PNG’s culinary heritage.
This growing influence has established BEFRS as one of the leading voices in online food and travel media.
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Professional Ethics, Authenticity & Trust with Viewers
Sonbuchner has taken deliberate steps to maintain authenticity and trust. He finances BEFRS largely through fan support on Patreon, explaining that this model allows the channel to stay creative and independent rather than catering to sponsors.
In interviews he has stated he has no plans to move to traditional television, preferring to remain independent on YouTube where he has full creative control.
The BEFRS team stresses transparency in their production process and does not stage scripted scenarios.
By openly valuing creative freedom and ethical storytelling, Sonbuchner has built a strong reputation for honesty, and viewers know the show’s focus is on genuine discovery rather than hype.
Current Career Focus & Future Direction
Sonbuchner remains based in Vietnam, where he continues to produce new BEFRS episodes close to home. Even as international travel resumes, he and his team have also explored Vietnam’s own food industry, creating a series on local specialties such as noodle and sausage production.
Looking ahead, Sonbuchner has mentioned plans to film in unconventional locations like Somalia and even Minnesota, hinting at new frontiers for the show.
He also indicated that while he might consider different media in the future, right now he enjoys being his own boss on YouTube and reaching the largest possible audience.
Will Sonbuchner Net Worth
As of 2026, no reliable public net-worth estimate for Will Sonbuchner has been published that meets consistent verification standards. He derives income from his work as a filmmaker and digital creator, primarily as the creator and host of the Best Ever Food Review Show on YouTube.
His wealth primarily comes from advertising revenue, branded sponsorships, content licensing, merchandise sales, and production work tied to his media company. Forbes, Bloomberg, and other major financial publications have not confirmed any valuation, and figures circulating online remain unverified, inconsistent, and based on limited publicly disclosed financial information.
