5 replies to this topic

[detlef]

Last night at one of my restaurants, a local beer distributor was hosting a meet and greet for local food writers and bloggers.  I went to say hi to someone I knew and he was talking to this guy.

Distributor:  John here is a food critic
John;  Yep, I've been doing it for a few years now
Me:  Oh yeah?  Who do you write for?
John:  I post on Yelp



I wanted to tell him that I'm a contributing correspondent for Facebook, but figured I'd just go with, "Well, nice to meet you."

[RC94]

I post on Yelp, citysearch and I contribute to Zagats restaurant guide.  I guess that makes me a super-duper-food critic.

[Tford]

Do you ever get people who ask for comped meals at your restaurant because they are "food critics"?

[godtomsatan]

I've had "food bloggers" film me bring out dinners, then ask me to re-do it because their video camera didn't get the whole thing.

[detlef]

Tford, on 14 April 2012 - 12:12 PM, said:

Do you ever get people who ask for comped meals at your restaurant because they are "food critics"?

Not really, though Yelp is inclined to extort free goods out of places for their "Yelp elite" parties.  It's really a scam.  Basically, they approach a newish place and get them to throw a party, offering free grub and drink and bring a bunch of Yelp elite posters who will, more than likely, say a bunch of nice things about the place.  It's nothing short of paying for good reviews and I think it's sleazy as hell.

godtomsatan, on 14 April 2012 - 01:33 PM, said:

I've had "food bloggers" film me bring out dinners, then ask me to re-do it because their video camera didn't get the whole thing.

Dude, it's not like they're asking you stop what you're doing, quite likely throw away food and make another dish, and cater to their petty effing hang-ups.  Oh, wait, they are.

[Hugh B Tool]

In today's world of social media and veruca salt attitudes, everyone is a critic of some kind. Yet, what makes a critic? Do they go specialize in gossip and/or critic in Journalism school? Me thinks, mostly not.