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Snack had a great piece on what she will not write about, along with a "will not write" list from other food writers. At the top of her list of no-gos were "hatchet jobs," where a negative article/review is written just to write something negative or tear someone down. The other writers all agreed that they didn't want to do those types of pieces either. Anthony Bourdain said that the overly "happy" pieces weren't for him and neither are restaurant reviews. Peter Elliot won't write any idea that he didn't come up with himself, and Michael Ruhlman strongly prefers to, as well.
This topic poses an interesting question for food bloggers, though. Even though not all (not by a longshot!) food bloggers are professional writers or journalists, there are still things that each will and won't write about. So tell us, because we care about the rest of the writers and not just the pros, what won't you write about on your food blog? Do you do recipes, but not restaurant reviews? Photos, but not recipes? Do you write for your audience, or just for yourself?
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10-11-2006 @8:18AM Bonnie said... I too, prefer not to write anything too negative. Although this recently put me in a dilemna...
I also try to write about new things I'm trying, although nowhere have a stated this obviously. The only other thing I try and do is to not post or write about a recipe from someone elses blog that was posted on their site in the last 6 months - although of course, I always credit them.
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10-11-2006 @8:27AM Bonnie said... There are 3 things I try and avoid when posting.
In no particular order:
- Anything too negative including restaurant reviews or recipes I didn't particularly like
- New recipes that I've never cooked before, or new cuisines (although I've never stated this on my blog, it's my way of keeping passionate and interested)
- Other food bloggers recipes that they have posted in the last 6 months. If older that 6 months, I will post but also give credit.
I think it's good to have some guidelines. I think its important for the integrity and standards of the blog...
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10-11-2006 @9:15AM Brian J. Geiger said... Well, I've been on break for a while, so technically I haven't written *anything* recently, but when I'm writing for my site, it's only on food, equipment, or techniques. No reviews, no culture commentary, etc. Of course, that's why I have a podcast, so I can do those sorts of things outside the scope of my site.
I've found that my restaurant reviews are 'eh' at the moment, so I don't tend to do those in any case, and I won't do a journal of what I ate or made on any given day, unless I can bring some extra meaning to it.
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10-11-2006 @9:26AM eatchicago said... I don't do recipes, food "scene" items, or hot-button news issues (i.e., the foie gras ban). Those items are more than adequately covered by newspapers, magazines, and other on-line sources.
I will highlight other writers, columns, or blogs that I think may be overlooked and of serious value.
I write about restaurants I eat at, places I shop, and services I use. My blog gives a peek into one person's critical view of the Chicago food scene.
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10-11-2006 @12:25PM Benjamin said... My blog is really about food culture and technique, so I do lots of explanation about why things are or seem to be the way they are, and then sometimes give an example recipe. I really don't want to write straight-up how-to's or recipes, nor do I write reviews about restaurants.
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10-16-2006 @12:07PM Bill Stephens said... In the Blog,heyrestaurantguy.com,I take a different approach from traditional restaurant reviews. Information flows up from the customers. I address general concerns and pet peeves of the people in the restaurant seats. Topics from uncomfortable barstools, incomprehensible wine lists, takeout drive thru lines, calling customers by name, attitude, remembering who order what, silent service, lighting, menu, sanitation, and about anything else voiced by diners. The Blog stimulates a discourse between restaurant people and customers that improves the dining experience overall.
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10-11-2006 @3:00PM SteveO. said... I'm curious to know whether there are issues that are "do-not-touch" -- topics that are considered too controversial or challenging or otherwise out of bounds, but still plausibly within the brief of a food blog. I understand that writers have created mission statements for themselves, and generally they can be intuited if the writers haven't expressly stated them ... but is there anything in the world of food that's just too controversial for people to touch?
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10-11-2006 @4:30PM Adam said... I realize that this may not pertain to the post but I would be interested in reading food/recipe reviews of fresh game. Does anyone know a blog that has a good mix of common food posts (i.e.: breads, pastries, soups etc.) also freshly harvested game.
Does this fall under the banner of "topics food writers will not write about?"
Granted I am from Iowa but my father owned a very nice restaurant for 10yrs and I worked with some quality chefs for 6 so I do know about quality food.
Some of the best food I have ever eaten has been smoked wild goose or a shore lunch of fresh walleye in Canada. Maybe this is just something missing from current food blogs?
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10-11-2006 @5:47PM barrett said... I work for a firm that does publicity for a major fast food place so I will not write positively or negatively about any particular fast food establishment. I don't want to open myself up for accusations I favor our client from our readers or scorn from my daytime employer.
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10-11-2006 @10:51PM tanya said... I will not write about a scientific article that says this or that is good/bad for you. I know for a fact that one cannot draw conclusions from any one study, no matter how definitive it may seem, and it seems irresponsible to me to report this.
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