There's a Food Writer at Table 2
Food writers tell readers they did reviews anonymously, restaurants did not know they were there. They add they paid for meals to avoid being accused of bias, misleading readers because they were on the restaurant’s payroll.
Food writers who value their reputation continue to do this despite the internet, where individuals that call themselves ‘influencers’ harass restaurants for free meals. How?
Apparently they have many YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter followers that hang on to their opinion, which always begins with: Hey guys …... If they say Salt Restaurant is great, loyal followers will flock there. If their verdict is bad, Salt Restaurant will go to the dogs.
One of the reasons why food writers don’t tell waiters (servers) that they are on a mission to sample some salad nicoise or steak dinner, is to maintain standards, to keep restaurants on their toes. They never know who could be sitting at Table 2.
There is another review, the sponsored review. This is an advertisement where a hotel or restaurant buys pages in a magazine. The editor sends a food writer, who is escorted around the establishment, served the best meals so that he can write a glowing review.
Once again, magazines tell readers that it is an ad. This is the market ‘influencers’ are gunning for.
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
Comments