Food is not just restricted to cooking and eating anymore. These days, it is more about taking pictures of your platter, writing food reviews and combining eating with travel, luxury, lifestyle, culture and the like.
The influx of food bloggers in the internet community in recent times has been massive. Open any social media platform, be it Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and one can see that users have posted pictures and reviews of what they're eating and where they're eating it. Exploring new cafes and restaurants has become a fad. Hashtags such as 'food porn', 'yummy', 'instafood', and 'foodgasm' are often seen trending. It's not about just eating anymore; it's also about telling the world that you're eating it.
Food blogging, combined with travel, is also a fast-emerging trend as travellers are taking an increasing number of 'gastronomic trips' to destinations both exotic and common for the sole purpose of exploring local cuisine. Publishing reviews of fine-dining and luxurious establishments offering gourmet fare is popular as well. There are now even festivals dedicated exclusively to a particular cuisine or dish, such as the Momo Festival, Maggi festival or the Gourmet Festival in New Delhi.
Food blogging transcends love for food. It is fast developing as a viable commercial venture as well. Food reviewers are among the highest paid bloggers today. Media houses are floating websites dedicated exclusively toward food reviews. It is one of the most sought after jobs as food lovers are paid to go out and eat (all bills reimbursed by the company), and then write a review on their experience. From presentation to ambience, service to pricing, crowd to portion size, everything is analysed.
The flip side, though, is that online reviews are now becoming the last word on the services of an eating joint. Popular bloggers gain followers who hang on to their every word before reserving tables. One bad experience by a blogger (which may be totally subjective), and a bad review is published, bringing down the restaurant's clientele. Paid reviews are a problem too, as restaurateurs at times pay popular bloggers to write positive reviews, no matter the quality that is dished out.
Source: The age of food blogging
No comments:
Post a Comment