The Bitter Truth: Why I Refused the 'Influencer' Menu

 

To put it bluntly, as is my nature, I did not enter the world of food b/vlogging because I have neither the stomach for polite lies nor the patience for shallow praise. I am, by temperament, a surgical diner.

My critiques are often too sharp for the "good vibes only" culture of modern content creation. I am the type of guest who does not just question the seasoning on the plate, but the very values of the person who owns the kitchen.

The "Free Lunch" Dilemma

In the early days of my blogging era (back when "weblog" was a fresh term and video was an afterthought), I found myself caught in the trap of the "invite." As a fledgling writer, there is a certain pressure to accept every invitation that lands in your inbox.

But I quickly discovered the heavy price of a "free" meal: the unspoken expectation of a glowing review. I found myself staring at mediocre dishes, struggling to find the "courtesy" to write something palatable about something that tasted like nothing at all.

Finding the Bone in the Broth

A turning point came when a mentor handed me a radical piece of advice: "You have the choice not to go." It sounds simple, but it was transformative. I realized that my voice did not belong in the restaurants; it belonged to my niche. I stopped chasing every grand opening and started chasing influence—the kind that shifts behavior rather than just generating clicks.

Today, we live in an age where everyone with a smartphone is a "foodie." The digital landscape is cluttered with "creators" performing for the camera. Some are faking their delight for the algorithm, some are brutally honest but lack the vocabulary to explain why, and many are simply riding the froth of the latest hype. It is a sea of empty-calorie content.

Beyond the Plate

My interests lie elsewhere. I am captivated by the culinary heritage, the deep-rooted history, and the social psychology that simmers beneath every dish.

The truly great food critics do not merely tell you if a steak is tender. They tickle your senses. They stir a curiosity that sends you to the library as often as it sends you to the dining room. They change your perception of a community through the lens of its flavors.

The Diner’s Responsibility

Unfortunately, many audiences have become so fixated on the "influencer" that they have lost their own sense of taste. When a restaurant fails to meet the hyper-inflated expectations of a viral video, the backlash is swift and often cruel. People forget that they, too, have a role to play in this "food journey." A meal is a conversation, not a transaction for content.

I chose not to be a regular food reviewer because I would rather be a food thinker. I am not here to tell you where to eat. I am here to tell you why it matters.