Technology has given us many things that have made life easier. Cell phones. GPS. Social Media. The Internet. But just like anything else, these advances can be used for good or evil. Just about anyone with a keyboard and wi-fi can create a blog and type up their opinions for the world to read. But that doesn’t mean that what they’re ushering out into cyberspace has any merit. We’ve all experienced a food blogger or reviewer who thinks they are the end all be all when it comes to culinary critiques. But Ruth Reichl and Anthony Bourdain types are few and far between. The aforementioned, and others like them, actually know that a dining experience is much more than a blog blurb. Just because you like to eat, and eat out often, doesn’t mean that you actually understand why something works or doesn’t. Sure, if you’re going to check out new restaurants, the reviews online and word of mouth suggestions are paramount to filtering out the duds from the delicious. But a bonafide food critic is different. They taste things with trained tastebuds. They sit down to eat with a different mindset. And, most importantly, they know how to express why something works and why it doesn’t. Next time you find yourself ready to give your opinion on something you’ve ordered off the menu, stop and think to yourself what a real food critic would say. You may be surprised at the answer.
Don’t Be That Guy (Or Gal)
“Ok, I’m going to let the food that’s just been served get cold so I can get the perfect shot to post for the world to see.” Sometimes you just have to live in the moment. Try leaving your phone in the car next time you go out to eat. There was a time when no one took photos of their food before digging in.
“Oh, I would have made it this way — this meal is good, but I would have done it much better.” By all means, go home, whip up your version of what you’re eating and let everyone else enjoy what’s on their plate. Chances are, you probably will not do it better.
“I’m going to write a horrible review…I’m a Yelper!” OMG! Unless you’ve been selected as a Yelp Elite or are a career food critic or culinary journalist, your opinion is nothing more than, well, an opinion. And opinions are like…you know the rest.
