More than a few times do I hear some food bloggers complaining (not directed at us): “He/she doesn’t even have training in the kitchen. How dare s/he be a food blogger?”
My reply is:
Must a fashion magazine editor know how to design a dress?
Must a movie critic know how to make a movie?
Must a literature teacher write a novel?
Must a sportscaster be an athlete?
In 1994, Catherine Lim, renowned Singapore novelist/writer, wrote a political piece which was published in The Straits Times, criticizing PAP and how the party was–and still is–disconnected with the people. Then-Prime Minster Goh Chok Tong responded, if she wants to write a political commentary, join a political party. Must a political commentator be in politics?
The obvious answer is no.
Why then do some food bloggers/critics think that you must know how to cook to critique food? It’s elitism at work isn’t it? By saying someone cannot cook, you’re putting someone down immediately, dismissing that person’s opinions and elevating your own status by implying you can cook (so can Yan, by the way). By saying someone cannot cook, you’re foreclosing all possibilities of discussions because you don’t even listen to someone who cannot cook. This behavior of belittling someone is very authoritative and parental, quite like the PAP who refuses to listen the people because you’re not in politics (hence my Catherine Lim analogy). We have minds, we have opinions, we can think, and we can voice out our thoughts – but by saying we cannot cook so we cannot be food critics is shutting down our words, our thoughts, our freedom.
Undeniably, it is best that a food critic has experience in kitchen but not all of us have the luxury, time or money to learn. Practical is important but theory is equally important and a food critic can have theory. The atomic bomb is created based on theory alone–and then practiced on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In A-bomb’s case, theory comes first. In the Women’s Rights Movement, Black Movement and GLBT Movement, it is often the academics who lead the fight for equality. Theory comes first. It would be wonderful to be able to distinguished an egg cooked at 65.72 degree celsius and a softboiled egg at Ya Kun but as food critics, taste comes first. Theory comes first. Nice means nice, no matter what way the food is cooked (practical). The role of a food critic is to be able to justify why the food is delicious or horrible and not how it is cooked.
Theory comes from knowledge and knowledge comes from experience. A prominent food blogger wrote, “We didn’t like the beef tartare because it was raw.” Ouch. Beef tartare is raw minced beef. The food blogger made a faux pas–but so what? Who hasn’t made a faux pas before? Nobody died or is harmed by his boo-boo, right? Some people may not come across a food item before because they are underprivileged or inexperienced; they don’t have the money to spend on extravagant food before or they are eating the dish for the first time (and there is always a first time)–so why not take this chance to educate them as equals (in a kind manner), instead of feeling superior and mocking them malevolently? What you say about others reflects more on your own behavior than others’. At least from this experience, the food blogger would have learnt from his own mistake and grow from it. Culinary terminology can be learnt. Don’t mistake the lack of general knowledge–which can be changed with experience–for stupidity and ineptitude.
So must a food critic know how to cook? No but s/he must keep eating, keep experiencing, keep asking questions, keep an open ear to listen attentively to experts, keep an open mind to learn, and keep learning.
Categories: 1. Cuisine
Rubbish Eat Rubbish Grow 
Very well written and so true. *clap-clap*
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Thanks. :)
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Being a foodie myself, I believe that appreciating food is an acquired taste and more often individual opinion. There’s no wrong or right answer. It’s just perspective.
Being a blogger myself, I believe in blogging the truth to your own knowledge, experience and just like you say, keep a open heart and learn from wherever and however you can. Afterall, taste is subjective.
As for a food critic or a food blogger and anyone who’s involved in food one way or another, I believe that it’s a bonus if you can cook but hey, if you can’t, it doesn’t mean one can’t appreciate what’s on his or her plate less than those who stay in the kitchen and cook.
Truly a post I’ve enjoyed reading! You sure speak my mind!
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Thanks. :)
You brought up a point that I may want to address someday. Stay tune.
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Really? Guess I have to follow your blog more closely ehh?
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you mean you don’t follow it closely?! :)
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Well I said more closely but I didn’t said I have don’t followed your blog closely :)
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ok, now follow closely. I’ll give you a MCQ test of 100 questions and 2 essay questions of no less than 2000 words each. lol. :)
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Bring it on! haha as a student of NYP doing a dip in social work, I dare say I’ve been through worst hahaha!
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If a political commentator is from a political party, doesn’t that make him/her more likely to be biased?
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haha, good question. Must ask Goh Chok Tong the logic behind it.
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to the comment of” we didn’t like the beef tartare because it was raw”, it is precisely because their expertise is relied on by a group of readers. When one frames oneself as an expert, which many bloggers do (I am not referring to you), despite the words of “I am not an expert”… if one insists on being a food blogger, then I think one should take responsibility for their words.
I agree with your point on being objective. But it is hard to find, yet essential in any critic job, including movie, etc.
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I don’t always agree with your government policies, Old Lee KY, but I agree with you here. Objectivity is difficult and impossible but there must be a striving towards it. It’s like living: living is pointless but we must make the best of life.
As for the blogger who made a mistake, who doesn’t make mistakes? Just point out nicely to him but I know people saying some snarky remarks behind his back.
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Ok I’ve just seen this response…..
My reply is:
Must a fashion magazine editor know how to design a dress? Of course or at least know that field , did he pick corn for a living and say hmmm I’m gonna tell people how to dressNO….
Must a movie critic know how to make a movie? At least understand what goes into making a movie , and be hind the scenes not eating a hot dog in the cinema with s beer and say hmm that film sucked ass , really ?
Must a literature teacher write a novel?
I would yes because if he sat on his bum all day reading marvel magsizines , and does not know the first thing about writing a novel or book . Or comic apart from teaching x t and ,,,,,,,, etc hmmm Like this paragraph lol, I’m an expert thought lmao
Must a sportscaster be an athlete?
No I agree I weigh 500 lbs , I can’t walk I eat burgers all day long , yet I’m an expert on critiquing spots people on how good or crap they , seriously ?
In 1994, Catherine Lim, renowned Singapore novelist/writer, wrote a political piece which was published in The Straits Times, criticizing PAP and how the party was–and still is–disconnected with the people. Then-Prime Minster Goh Chok Tong responded, if she wants to write a political commentary, join a political party. Must a political commentator be in politics?
The obvious answer is no.
The answer is yes , 1.6 billion people can commentate , how ever they need to commentate on things in there field , could she commetante on open heart surgery , triple bypass, brain surgery , if she worked in a grocery store , again I think not lol
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I think you will have to fire 99% of the teachers teaching English literature then. And fire 99%of the sports journalists. And 98% of the political journalists. And 99% of the fashion journalists.
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