Posted by Audrey Gallen in
Do you have a passion for food and writing? Well, I have a perfect job for you, and this job can take you around the world even without leaving your own city (literally and metaphorically). It'll introduce you to different cultures and with this job, you will never get hungry.
Now, you may ask, "so, what the hell is this job that you are talking about?"
Well, I'm talking about becoming a "food critic." It's a job that you gotta love. You get to meet new people, taste delicious (and the not-so-delicious) entrees, and most of it all, it gives you the opportunity to taste different foods from various cultures. All you gotta do is to put your taste buds to work, and write about it efficiently.
So, what are the steps to becoming a food critic?
1. You have to be knowledgeable about what you're writing about. Learn the origin of the food, and the culture that it came from. It is good to write in a first perspective point of view, but don't let your personal experiences take over the whole article. Remember that this is a review, not a diary. Write your article in an objective view, but with your own voice.
2. It is important to experience it yourself. You can't describe something that you just see on recipe books. Go out there!
3. When you go to restaurants, ask them for their "specialty dish" and please, don't be picky! When they offer you their specialty dish, just eat it!
4. Develop professional relationships with restaurant manager and/or staff. You can learn a lot from them, if you get lucky, they might share you their secret recipe or even hook you up with free food.
5. Write honestly and efficiently. You don't want to bore your audience with big words. Just go straight to the point. We're talking about food here, not rocket science.
6. Be an expert . Learn the culinary jargon. Go to wine expo and food festivals so you can have a taste of everything.
7.Study other languages. You don't have to be fluent, but just enough to be able to order or read the menu without the English subtext.
8. You don't have to be the lonely one sitting in the corner of the restaurant analyzing your meal. Go with friends, you can even order different entrees, then write about them.
9. When writing about a negative review, always remember to be fair and balanced. (Also, get yourself ready from getting angry emails/or snail mails from these restaurants!)
10. Once you have your portfolio of restaurant reviews, send them to editors or local newspapers. Who knows, you can be the next Anthony Bourdain!
Bon Appetit and Good Luck to you!
1. You have to be knowledgeable about what you're writing about. Learn the origin of the food, and the culture that it came from. It is good to write in a first perspective point of view, but don't let your personal experiences take over the whole article. Remember that this is a review, not a diary. Write your article in an objective view, but with your own voice.
2. It is important to experience it yourself. You can't describe something that you just see on recipe books. Go out there!
3. When you go to restaurants, ask them for their "specialty dish" and please, don't be picky! When they offer you their specialty dish, just eat it!
4. Develop professional relationships with restaurant manager and/or staff. You can learn a lot from them, if you get lucky, they might share you their secret recipe or even hook you up with free food.
5. Write honestly and efficiently. You don't want to bore your audience with big words. Just go straight to the point. We're talking about food here, not rocket science.
6. Be an expert . Learn the culinary jargon. Go to wine expo and food festivals so you can have a taste of everything.
7.Study other languages. You don't have to be fluent, but just enough to be able to order or read the menu without the English subtext.
8. You don't have to be the lonely one sitting in the corner of the restaurant analyzing your meal. Go with friends, you can even order different entrees, then write about them.
9. When writing about a negative review, always remember to be fair and balanced. (Also, get yourself ready from getting angry emails/or snail mails from these restaurants!)
10. Once you have your portfolio of restaurant reviews, send them to editors or local newspapers. Who knows, you can be the next Anthony Bourdain!
Bon Appetit and Good Luck to you!
1 Response to You Don't Need a Tourism Degree For This!
This is great. Thanks for the advice.
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