Are you a food reviewer by profession? If so, you certainly know that the profession is not as simple as many people imagine. Who says a food reviewer is only asked to explain whether or not the food they eat is delicious? In fact, they are also required to describe the taste, aroma, texture, and presentation of the food in detail. In addition, they must also be able to describe the atmosphere, quality of service, knowledge and response of employees, even the general impression displayed by the restaurant. Ideally, a good food review should be able to keep the reader 'engaged'; as if they were in a restaurant eating the same meal as the reviewer. At the end of the day, a good food review should also be able to help the reader make an informed decision!
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Method 1 of 3: Writing a Review
Step 1. Do a little research
After eating and making a rough assessment, take some time to find out the background of the restaurant you visited. These kinds of details are effective in making your review look more interesting and colorful, you know! For example, you may find that the head chef had a culinary education in France or worked in a very famous restaurant. Add these facts in your review to make people more interested in dining there.
Start by reading the restaurant's website (if any). Find out who the owner and head chef of the restaurant is, then search for their background on the internet
Step 2. Begin the review with an interesting opening paragraph
Ideally, the first sentence in your review will entice the reader to read more. Your review is meant to help them make a dining decision, right? So how can they make a decision if they don't read your review in detail? To capture reader interest, make sure you start your review with:
- Make readers curious. For example, you could start your review by asking, “Are you ready to taste the best fried rice in Indonesia?” In the following paragraphs, make sure you prove that claim!
- Delivering interesting and amazing facts such as “Chef Zurlo started his career in the culinary world 2 years ago. Who would have thought that not too long a career could make his restaurant named the Best Italian Restaurant in the Jakarta area?".
- Describe the facts related to the atmosphere of the restaurant that most impressed you, for example the view of the very beautiful backyard of the restaurant or the unpleasant smell that wafted from the restaurant kitchen.
Step 3. Describe 3-5 foods you tasted
Choose the foods that make the most impression (both positive and negative) on your mind, and focus on reviewing those foods. Don't just call it good or bad! Make sure you provide a specific description, name each food, and explain the reasons behind your rating. In general, make sure you review the three things below:
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Presentation:
How does the food look when it arrives to you and how do you feel when you see it? Does the presentation of food succeed in making your stomach even more hungry? Is the food presentation as simple (in a positive context) as home cooking?
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Flavor:
The taste of the food is the most important element you have to describe! Use a variety of metaphors, similes, and descriptive sentences to 'put' the reader in your shoes. If possible, also mention the spices that you recognize in the various foods served.
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Texture:
Generally, this review will also allude to the cooking process. Does the food you eat melt on the tongue? Is the texture of the meat soft and easy to chew? Does the texture vary (e.g. crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside)? Are all the elements you eat able to blend perfectly on the tongue?
Step 4. Use catchy language
Remember, what's selling in your review is the dining experience, not just the food. Therefore, there is nothing to prevent you from making a review in dramatic or flowery language; make sure you also include at least 1-2 adjectives to help improve reader understanding. Think of the review as your short travel story; include additional details that make the restaurant unique and stand out in the eyes of readers.
Make sure you describe the location, atmosphere, service, menu served, as well as the interior and exterior of the restaurant in detail
Step 5. Consider the restaurant's intentions, not just your personal taste
A good review isn't just about what you like and don't like; Good reviews should be able to help readers find restaurants that suit their tastes. Try to make an objective review! For example, if the restaurant you visit has underwater decorations but serves fried chicken, it would be unwise to immediately give a negative review just because of that fact.
- What kind of atmosphere do you want to present in the restaurant? Did they manage to bring it out?
- Is your taste in accordance with the menu presented? If the restaurant only serves seafood even though you don't eat fish and other marine animals, don't immediately give a negative review about the smoked salmon menu you eat! Just say that the restaurant isn't right for you because you don't like fish.
Step 6. List the advantages and disadvantages of the restaurant
Don't focus on highlighting your strengths or lack of restaurants; instead, focus on describing things accurately. In other words, don't make a completely negative or completely positive review (unless your dining experience was really good or bad). Try to give the reader a comprehensive picture and let them make the decisions based on your description. A wise food reviewer should be able to present a balanced review to his readers.
- "The friendliness and agility of the restaurant staff in serving diners does not change the fact that the food served is not appetizing, especially because it was a little cold when it was served to me."
- "It is undeniable, Mathew Tucci the head chef has managed to create a menu that is unique and undeniably delicious. Unfortunately, this tiny restaurant cannot accommodate too many diners."
Step 7. Share your recommendations
Remember, people read your reviews because they want to know which restaurants to go to, what to order, and what not to order. Therefore, don't hesitate to recommend a specific menu, advise readers to skip dessert, or explain that the restaurant you are reviewing is a good date location. Trust me, doing so will add interest and benefit to your review!
Feel free to leave a negative review if your dining experience was not a pleasant one. However, to make your review more objective and accurate, it never hurts to revisit the same restaurant to make sure the quality is really bad before attacking it with negative reviews
Step 8. Write down important information at the beginning or end of the review
Make sure you include the average food price, reservation system, and address of the restaurant you are reviewing; if you wish, you may also include your rating (for example, 3 out of 4 stars). Most food reviewers include this information at the end of the review in a separate paragraph. But if you want to include it at the beginning of the review, make sure you put the information in a separate paragraph or column.
Method 2 of 3: Entering Correct and Complete Information
Step 1. Don't tell restaurant employees that you are a food reviewer or critic
Trust me, objective reviews will only come if you're willing to put yourself in the shoes of a regular customer (especially since most restaurants will give food reviewers or critics special treatment). Act like any other customer; The Association of Food Journalists even advises food reviewers to avoid major culinary events such as the opening of new restaurants to avoid the risk of being asked to write good reviews by restaurant chefs.
- If you are a widely recognized food reviewer, try making a reservation under a different name.
- Make sure you keep a notebook or recording device with you even though nowadays, your phone can be used to record everything. Trust me, detailed records are needed to make a quality review.
Step 2. Record important information that the reader needs
Do they have to make a reservation in advance? If so, how many days or weeks in advance do they have to book a place? Where is the location of the restaurant and what are the environmental conditions like? How is the parking situation? These facts do not need to dominate the review, but should be included to make it easier for readers to understand.
Step 3. Describe the atmosphere and atmosphere of the restaurant
Make the reader feel what you are going through; Is the restaurant atmosphere so simple and cozy that you feel like you're dining at home? Or is it so elegant that it makes you hesitate to eat in a T-shirt? Describe your experience as creatively as possible and make the reader feel involved!
- Does restaurant decoration have an effect on creating a pleasant dining impression?
- How do people eat there? Do they tend to dine with a partner in an intimate setting or do they eat together at a large table? Is the restaurant intended for dating couples or families?
Step 4. Assess restaurant service
Don't just say, “good/bad service”; make a specific assessment! One way to get accurate information is to ask restaurant employees questions; good employees should know what combinations of food are delicious, what foods are not suitable for people with allergies to eat, and be able to present the food they sell well. In addition, good employees will always be there when the customer needs it (when the drink in the glass is running low, when the customer's fork falls to the floor, and when you want to order the next meal).
Step 5. Order a variety of food menus
Even though you can't taste the entire menu available, at least you have to order as varied food as possible. Make sure you try drinks, appetizers, mains and desserts to assess the overall quality of the restaurant. If possible, come with your friends and have everyone order a different type of food (meat/fish, soup/lettuce, stir-fried food/steamed food, etc.).
- As a food reviewer, make sure you sample as much and as varied of food as possible so that your review can be more comprehensive.
- What you order should of course be tailored to your personal taste. However, there is nothing wrong with asking restaurant employees for recommendations regarding the food or drink that customers are most interested in or think they are the tastiest. Most of the employees have tasted all of the available menus so they should be able to help you choose a delicious menu.
Method 3 of 3: Eat Professional Critic's Food
Step 1. Record the presentation of the food
As soon as the food is served to you, record your assessment of the way it was presented. Does the presentation look neat, clean, and attractive or is it messy and sloppy? Remember, food reviews focus not only on the taste of the food, but your overall dining experience; so make sure you record all the information as detailed as possible.
If allowed, take photos of the food before eating it. This method helps you to remember any details that need to be included in your review
Step 2. Enjoy the first few bites
Don't be in a hurry to judge the food you eat. Eat slowly and enjoy the mix of textures, flavors and aromas of food that fills your mouth.
Make sure you eat your food the right way first; for example, if what you eat is green chili kikil fried rice, make sure your first bite contains rice, kikil, and chili. Do not necessarily eat each element separately
Step 3. Write down your first impression specifically
Use clear language and adjectives in your notes. Instead of simply writing, “I give a thumbs up for the use of rosemary in this dish”, try writing more specific details such as, “The taste of rosemary in this dish is very light yet spicy, making it delicious paired with soft and creamy potatoes.” Remember, these notes are not your final review, so there's no need to worry too much about grammar.
Write down specific details about “why” you like/dislike the food; believe me, this method will greatly facilitate your writing process later
Step 4. Taste each element in your plate separately
At this stage, you have started to make more specific assessments. Taste each food element separately, then try to assess whether it meets the following criteria:
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Texture:
What is the texture of the food you eat? Again, make sure you describe it as specifically as possible; considering the texture of food is very diverse and can have a positive or negative meaning.
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Spice:
Do all the ingredients in your food taste seasoned? Can you name some of the spices used?
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Complexity:
Basically, complexity describes the combination of elements in food that makes its taste more characteristic. A good chef will not dominate a dish with just one flavor (for example, lemon or garlic flavour). Instead, they try to create new, unique and delicious flavors by combining various spices in it. Are each of the elements in food able to combine to produce a new, unique, and of course delicious taste?
Step 5. Taste all the food on the table
If you're not dining alone, make sure you sample the food of the people you're dining with. This is the best way to analyze a restaurant's strengths and weaknesses in more detail.
Make sure you write down the name of each food as a reference for the reader; After reading your review, ideally readers will know what foods to order or avoid
Step 6. Take specific notes while eating
Quality food reviews are based on accurate facts. Therefore, try to be as objective as possible in your review; Instead of simply stating “this food tastes good” or “this food doesn't taste good on my tongue”, try to make a specific and detailed assessment of what makes it taste good or not good. You can do this assessment after eating or while eating; take written notes, don't just rely on your memory!
Step 7. Ask questions
If you are curious about the spices used, how to cook the food you eat, or where the chef buys ingredients that are quite expensive (meat, cheese is expensive, etc.), don't hesitate to ask the restaurant staff. Ideally, all restaurant employees are trained to know what they are serving and will be happy to answer your questions.
Tips
- Be open and flexible about every food you taste.
- Don't include descriptions like “the best” or “the worst” in your review. Such reviews will not provide the information the reader needs; in addition, your credibility as a food critic will be drastically reduced! Remember, good and bad are subjective judgments; make sure you always provide the readers with facts.
