Food Blogs and “Comping”

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February 12, 2008 | 2 Comments

I mentioned getting comped (i.e. a free invite) for the Wok Star class in my last post . I thought this would be an opportune time to elaborate to Miami Dish readers where this site stands on gratis opportunities.

Although part of the mission of Miami Dish is to cultivate relationships with chefs, farmers, food entrepreneurs and home cooks in South Florida, our main obligation is to the readers. Fellow writers and I dine anonymously when we visit a restaurant for reviewing purposes. You know, so we don’t get ratted out by the paparazzi.

When you read a review in Miami Dish, know that we paid our hard-earned money for our meals.

Miami Dish visits any reviewed restaurants at least twice. Miami Dish will continue to grow, but I’m not exactly living off this right now, so I’m not about to refuse free drinks and tapas at parties, openings and the like. I’ll just let you know when that happens. Deal? Let me know what you think.

In the meantime, I want to share some other threads on food blogging and free meals. I recently heard a fascinating story on my new favorite NPR show, The Bryant Park Project . They discuss the rise of Internet restaurant reviews on sites like Chow and Yelp and the credibility of these reviews.

According to the above story, food blogs like Amateur Gourmet demonstrate greater power and influence in the food world. This has some exciting, democratizing possibilities. For example, Amateur Gourmet’s legions of loyal fans wrote to defend blogger Adam Roberts after his parents got what Roberts felt was the Siberia treatment at Le Cirque. After that, the owner of Le Cirque defended his restaurant on the blog and invited the Roberts back for a free meal.

Here’s Mario Batali’s take on the sloppier possibilities.

Katy McLaughlin wrote the Wall Street Journal article which spurred the Bryant Park story. She also mentions how Eater’s “Adventures in Shilling” column attempts to expose phony reviews on sites like Yelp and Citysearch.

Tags: food , food blogs , reviews

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Jim May 21, 2008 at 7:05 pm # It’s definitely become so up here as well (regarding blogs vs. traditional critic reviews). While I wouldn’t classify myself as a foodie, I prefer the blog to get a real sense of what I can expect from a trip out. One of my best friends here (and some of his cohorts) writes http://www.chicagogluttons.com Check it out for some recommendations before your next trip this way.

It’s definitely become so up here as well (regarding blogs vs. traditional critic reviews). While I wouldn’t classify myself as a foodie, I prefer the blog to get a real sense of what I can expect from a trip out. One of my best friends here (and some of his cohorts) writes http://www.chicagogluttons.com

Check it out for some recommendations before your next trip this way.

Jack September 27, 2008 at 9:14 am # It’s a fair and just system. I think most of the people who visit this site consider it alternative journalism and thus bringing alternative insight. Miami is so flighty with its food, we all need a good program like this to keep up on the players…

It’s a fair and just system. I think most of the people who visit this site consider it alternative journalism and thus bringing alternative insight. Miami is so flighty with its food, we all need a good program like this to keep up on the players…

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