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You’re sitting in your favorite local hamburger joint, talking with your favorite women and waiting for your food to arrive. From the corner of your eye, you suddenly see them: a group of diners who seem to be more interested in photographing their stylish overstuffed burgers than taking a bite of the cuisine. The trendy Instagram foodies have struck again.
As BonAppetit magazine reveals in its own article, Instagram foodies – also known as Influencers – hold more sway and are appearing in more restaurants than ever. In exchange for driving hungry followers to the restaurant, many Instagram foodies get to photograph their cake and eat it too. Most ask for complimentary meals and plus-one privileges while some request even more – like a free buffet and food for parties of up to eight.
But there’s an important line to be drawn between food critics and Instagram foodies. According to the Association of Food Journalists, critics should strive to be fair and honest, and to understand and portray the food and eating exercise. Can Instagram foodies be fair and honest if they’re getting paid (in money or meals)? Or do Instagram foodies – who can range from a high schooler with thousands of followers to a home cook with a flair for photography – even have the expertise to review what they’re tasting?
Most Instagram feeds show posts from trending famous foodies. They make us drool, inspire us to cook, and transport us to exotic restaurants all over the world, but is the edible appeal of the Instagram foodie just a good filter?
