Be a Good Food Critic

You have to admit, as a person, there are times you are not satisfied with services rendered to you. While it could be really upsetting and displeasing that you did not get your money’s worth, it’s important to communicate your displeasure in a manner that would not hurt the other party.

For foodies, it could be displeasing when the Chef messes up a meal you ordered. To manage situations like this, we have put together a list to help you communicate your displeasure effectively and be a good food critic.

Have Food knowledge: Before saying or giving a report about a dish, make sure you understand how the dish is supposed to be. Some meals are intended to be sweet, others are intended to have a sour taste. Before giving your input on that dish, make sure you know understand the dish and the final taste.

Excuse personal beef: You shouldn’t criticize a meal because the Chef didn’t say hello to you at the door or the waiter had an attitude. Always excuse a person’s beef because it could cloud your judgment or influence your words.

Put a compliment before the critic: It would be easier to go straight to the point and say “I think this food is wack”. But don’t. Make a compliment even if it’s the silliest one. Like “I think this dish is an effort, I appreciate it, however…” go ahead and insert your complaints.

Recommend an alternative without bruising ego: Leaving a person clueless about the next action could be unfair. After criticism, recommend the next step of action without sounding rude. To do this, you have to read the expression of the person you are speaking with, if they appear offended, don’t say a word. You could write a note to them saying, “I once had this meal at so. so restaurant, I think you should consider trying their version. You could even give them a link to a better recipe.

Encourage them to stick with their original: Every Chef or Cook has a signature, and they might not fancy making it. Help them see it. Tell them how much you like their signature, and if their signature is as awful as other things. Just use point 4 again.

Ask what they recommend: Signatures are different from recommendations. If a particular meal tastes awful, ask the waiter or chef what they would rather you have. They might have realized what you ordered should be switched for something better.

These 6 points are a great recommendation on how to be a good food critic without hurting anyone. Leave us a comment on how you’ve communicated your discomfort in a similar situation.

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