To further legitimize what little authority I have in the food critique world, I decided to do some research into the necessary qualifications required to become one. Shockingly, there really isn't any requirements at all! You obviously need to know a little something about food, but most importantly, you must be able to communicate your sensations to an audience.
Considering that I almost failed high school English and never learned what a thesis was or let alone write an essay, this will definitely be a personal challenge. Besides, I don't think my style of writing is in any way entertaining. Do one-liner work emails count?
Pardon the digression. Just as I was about to lose hope, I inadvertently discovered the Association of Food Journalists - a network of "journalists who devote most of their working time to planning and writing food copy for news media worldwide". After a bit of browsing, I found the AFJ's Food Critic's Guidelines. Jackpot! Though these guidelines aren't enforced in any way, it does serve its purpose by providing me with a starting point. To be exhaustive, I'll attempt to summarize the guidelines while providing the link here:
Ethics
Restaurant reviewing should abide by standards of journalism. Though I think general ethical standards would suffice.
Anonymity
Apparently you should remain as anonymous as possible. And here I was thinking that I'd become famous and would be invited to feasts of free food! Wishful thinking.... which will still come true, less the review.
Multiple Visits
Two to three visits are recommended. Food, service, and atmosphere can vary throughout the week. This makes sense to me, as a Saturday will be a different experience from a Monday. These multiple visits allow the critic to observe and gain a better experience of the restaurant. Try a weekend and weekday.
Ordering
Try to sample a full range of items from appetizer, main course, and desert. Of course going by yourself limits the variety one can taste. So go with friends! What a better way to enjoy and critic food then with your friends. Order dishes with varying cooking methods, styles, and ingredients. Don't forget to order what the restaurant is famous for! Order different dishes on repeated visits while repeating a previous order to experience consistency.
Payment
Don't accept free meals. How rediculous......
Variety
Try to review the full range of possible restaurants from prices, ethnic styles, and neighborhoods.
New Restaurants
Try a new restaurant a month after it is established. This allows the restaurant to settle in and give it time to perfect everything. This makes a lot of sense and I have rarely considered this. It's only reasonable, and to be fair, they deserve the time as a new business.
Ratings
Its always been difficult for me to value a restaurant in terms of stars. But the below seems to do a great job. I'll try! (These are all taken from the AFJ)
FOUR STARS: (Extraordinary) Transcendent. A one-of-a-kind, world-class experience.
THREE STARS: (Excellent) Superior. Memorable, high-quality menus frequently accompanied by exciting environs and/or savvy service.
TWO STARS: (Good) Solid places that beckon with generally appealing cooking.
ONE STAR: (Fair) Just OK. A place not worth rushing back to. But, it might have something worth recommending: A view, a single dish, friendly service, lively scene.
NO STAR: (Poor) Below-average restaurants.
Changes
Restaurants can get better or worst from its fame. I especially hate it when restaurants go downhill once they've become established. Nothing ticks me off than a restaurant that takes advantage of their customers and ignore the importance of quality.
Negative Reviews
Try to keep negative reviews fair. Some of these restaurants can be a person's lively hood. So please be considerate and ensure that you've sampled many items on their menu to make a fair judgment.
Fact Checking
Ensure all facts are correct like any good journalist.
Well, these are the guidelines. Hope this will take your food trotting experiences to the next level!!!!
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