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| Illustration of playing social media | Source: Bruce Mars/unsplash |
Imagine just opening a small eatery, putting your heart and soul into cooking, attracting many customers, and suddenly, someone starts recording a video of your food. It would be fine if they asked for permission, but instead, they secretly record and then leave a negative comment about the dish you made with so much effort. What would you feel when receiving such a "review" from someone whose opinion you never asked for?
Currently, there is a trending issue regarding a chef or business owner who dislikes reviews that seem to be attacking, using exaggerated words, and wrapping every negative review under the term "constructive criticism." In reality, there is nothing wrong with being a "food reviewer" or "food blogger" who enjoys and critiques the dishes served.
However, all of this must be based on proper ethics. Just as journalists have their own code of ethics when gathering and reporting news, ethics should also be applied in everyday situations, such as visiting someone's home, interacting with elders, and in many other contexts. These ethics are unwritten and should naturally stem from personal awareness. If we don’t like receiving criticism, then perhaps we shouldn't be so quick to criticize others.
The issue is that, for some people, ethics seem trivial, and they often hide behind statements like, "Well, there are no rules or laws against this, so why not?" Whenever I hear this, I get the urge to hand them a wasabi lipstick.
I believe they may feel guilty but refuse to be blamed, so they resort to these "magical words." Ethics are tied to norms, and norms don’t always need to be written down like laws or regulations. Ironically, when norms do get written into formal rules, these same people will say, "Ugh, too many rules!" People with this mindset are truly fascinating.
Another issue is arrogance—trashing a dish and then hiding behind statements like, "This is just my criticism, and I have the right to give my opinion," or "If you can't handle criticism, don't open a restaurant!" Do these statements sound pleasant or constructive? I don’t think so.
How Should a Food Reviewer Behave?
In this article, I’d like to share some basic ethics that I believe are crucial, not just for food reviewers but also for everyday life. This applies specifically to reviewers who visit and critique food establishments without the owner’s knowledge.
1. Enter with a Friendly Attitude
Walk into the restaurant, eatery, or café with kindness. Behave like a regular customer who simply wants to enjoy a meal. Greet the servers and staff politely—after all, the owner might be working alongside them. Arriving with a positive attitude, greeting warmly, and smiling can create a pleasant experience for both parties.
If the staff is rude or unwelcoming, there's no need to leave a negative review—just don’t review the place at all. If poor service is a recurring issue, word-of-mouth will eventually affect the business without the need for an aggressive review.
2. Buy the Food, Taste It First
Order your meal and actually taste it before forming an opinion. If the food is delicious, you’ll naturally feel excited about reviewing the place. Don’t expect freebies just because you’re a food reviewer—support the business by paying for your meal.
If the food doesn’t meet your expectations, inform the establishment directly rather than publicly shaming them. After all, no one asked you to review their food in the first place. If you still want to give feedback, you have two choices: either provide direct, private feedback to the owner or write a public review only if it’s positive.
3. Ask for Permission, Get Contact Information
When you find great food and service, request permission before reviewing. Think of yourself as a guest in someone’s home—you wouldn’t just start making changes without asking the homeowner first.
Most restaurant owners will appreciate and approve of a well-intended review. Initiate a friendly conversation, compliment their food, and ask if you can make a video. Providing your credentials, such as a portfolio or rate card, may also help establish credibility.
Wait for their response—whether they agree or not, at least you've shown respect by asking first.
4. Start Filming and Reviewing
Once permission is granted, start creating your content with an engaging marketing approach. A review should be informative and constructive, helping the business improve without unnecessary harshness. However, taste preferences are subjective, so be mindful of that.
5. Share the Video with the Owner First
Before posting, send a draft to the owner and await their feedback. Communication is key—providing constructive criticism increases the chances of a positive reception.
If both parties agree, then go ahead and publish it!
The Purpose of Food Reviews
A food reviewer’s goal should be to help food businesses grow by promoting and reviewing their dishes. However, if the intention is merely to satisfy an arrogant desire to criticize, leading to public embarrassment, then it’s not ethical.
Imagine visiting someone’s home and immediately gossiping about how messy it is or pointing out a rat in their front yard. That would be incredibly rude. On the other hand, if there is mutual cooperation, discussions, and agreements, things can be handled more professionally.
Some business owners may even offer free meals for honest reviews, which can be a win-win situation—as long as there are clear agreements and boundaries.
Conclusion
Ethics don’t always need to be written down; they should naturally arise from personal integrity. Treat others how you wish to be treated. Food reviewers, in essence, are “amateur food journalists” who can genuinely contribute to the growth of a business.
Ultimately, what you sow is what you reap. If you cultivate positivity, you will receive it in return.
Thank you for reading.
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