Food criticism is the ideal sector for those with a passion for cooking and writing. To start working, you need to enrich your resume with time and personal reviews, all the way to full-time employment. Get to know the best known critics and gain experience by throwing yourself headlong into the food industry. After starting to work as a critic, build relationships with your colleagues and advance your career by working exemplary and fair.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Get educated
Step 1. Finish high school
Although some food critics start their careers with humble jobs in the food industry, a degree allows you to apply for more positions. If you haven't finished high school, think about that goal first.
As an alternative, if you are not interested in finishing high school or college, you can take cooking classes to understand the inner workings of the restaurant industry
Step 2. Get a degree in literature, communication or journalism
About 70% of food critics have a university degree. Since the critical industry is very competitive, consider graduating from a course that empowers you with strong communication, writing, and critical thinking skills. The lessons you take will prepare you for your future employment and help you get to know other writers.
Take cooking classes to familiarize yourself with the various dishes and technical terms. If your school offers cooking classes, include them in your study plan to enrich your curriculum
Step 3. Write in the university newspaper or on the internet
Even if there is no section dedicated to food reviews in the university newspaper, working in a school publication is a great experience. Writing articles and working in the information industry will help you get internships and first jobs in the future.
Ask the university newspaper management if you can write articles dedicated to cooking or reviews of local restaurants
Step 4. Complete an internship
If possible, try to work with a food critic. You will gain experience in the industry that interests you and start creating your portfolio with the help of a mentor who will give you advice. If you're unable to land a restaurant-related job, different internships can also help you gain writing experience.
Consider your internship as a real job. You may feel that your job is just a bad copy of what professionals do, but even as a trainee you can make an impact in the society you work for
Part 2 of 3: Gaining Experience
Step 1. Apply for a first job as a writer
You can also be satisfied with a job not related to the gastronomic sector. You could write lifestyle articles in the local newspaper or create marketing content for a company. Use your assignment as a step to continue working as you develop your career as a food critic.
Step 2. Familiarize yourself with other food critics
Study the ones that are already successful, so you can learn the writing techniques that work best and how to develop your career. Read articles on many different dishes, so as to be exposed to various facets of the world of food criticism. Some of the most famous contemporary critics include:
- Gael Greene
- Sam Sifton
- Michael Bauer
- Jeffrey Steingarten
- Corby Kummer
Step 3. Expand the limits of your palate
Food critics need to know all kinds of foods and cuisines. When you visit a new restaurant, order a dish you don't know (even if you're not sure you'll like it). Analyze the various components of what you are eating. Do the flavors go well together? What techniques did the chef use to make the dish?
Write critiques of all types of food. Try it all. There are very few critics who manage to achieve notoriety by writing only reviews of lasagna, ice cream and other foods that everyone likes
Step 4. Start writing articles
A good food critic doesn't just describe their opinion of the dish. Look for articles from the professionals you respect before writing your first piece. You have to consider all the elements of your experience, such as the atmosphere, the service, the dishes that impressed you and your overall impression.
- Write confidently and honestly. Being too nice or too critical of a restaurant isn't helpful to your readers. Avoid the obscure terms of the industry and those that are too complex.
- Writing articles in the first person ("I") is considered inappropriate. Avoid calling yourself and focus on the restaurant. In small doses you can use the second person.
Step 5. Submit yourself to trade journals as a critic
As you take your first steps as a food critic, you will likely need experience before landing a full-time job. Start proposing yourself to various publications. Email your resume, cover letter, some sample articles, and the idea for others. In your proposal, briefly describe the article you plan to compose for publication and why it is suitable for the magazine.
- Start with local publications (such as a magazine in your city) and work your way up to the most prestigious ones by continuing to publish articles.
- Read the guidelines on submitting submissions (usually found on the website) before sending the email. This way you will know who to write to and how to structure your application.
Step 6. Look for paid jobs in web or print publications
Once you've gained experience writing reviews for various publications, start applying for full-time critical positions. You can find work by writing a weekly column on gastronomy or doing restaurant reviews for a magazine.
- Continue to work as a freelance as a second job, in order to enrich your resume and increase the visibility of your pieces.
- Over time, you can become so effective at proposing ideas to publications that you can work as a full-time freelancer for various magazines. Some writers prefer this type of employment because of the flexibility it offers. Decide on the lifestyle that suits you best.
Part 3 of 3: Increase Proficiency
Step 1. Join the association of gastronomic journalists
This institution preserves the ethics and high quality of food criticism by putting the various professionals in contact. Members can benefit from relationships with colleagues, access newsletters and seminars, as well as attend the annual conference. To become a member you must pay the annual fee and follow the guidelines of the organization.
Applications are considered every year in January
Step 2. Create a blog
By posting reviews on your own blog or website you will develop a bigger writing platform. Write reviews of the restaurants you visit at home or abroad, even if you haven't been asked to do so by your publisher. Consider adding other food-related posts (such as advice for would-be critics or a focus on the elements that make up a good dish) to attract more readers.
Step 3. Build business relationships with other food critics
Collaborate with those you meet through the association or while you work. Learn from their tips and offer your opinion to new members of the industry. The field of food criticism is competitive, so having friends watching your back will help you get through tough times.
Step 4. Stay anonymous
Food critics prefer to keep a low profile, so that restaurants don't recognize them and don't manipulate the quality of food or service to get better reviews. You don't have to write under a pseudonym, but don't attract more attention than necessary when you go to the restaurant. Announcing yourself as a food critic is considered unprofessional.
While it's not mandatory, some food critics write using a pseudonym
Advice
- The salary of a food critic varies based on where they post their reviews. Those who work in national magazines probably earn more than a freelancer who works with a local newspaper.
- Remember that your job as a critic is to study food carefully and help readers understand whether they will like it or not. If you provide inaccurate descriptions of dishes with your articles, readers will not be happy with your work. Being too kind or critical is not in the interest of the readers.
- Visit the best-known restaurants in your city, but also the humblest ones. By learning about all facets of local cuisine you will be exposed to a greater variety of foods. To gain experience in reviews, post them on your blog or website.
Warnings
- It can take time to become a respected food critic. If you'd rather not sacrifice years before you get the full-time job you love, maybe other careers are better suited for you.
- To be a food critic, you have to be tough. Restaurants will speak ill of you, some readers will send you threatening letters, and you may develop fierce competition with colleagues. Critics need to believe in themselves and not take abusive comments to heart.
- A myth that has spread about food critics is that they eat for free. Most critics pay for their dishes, although some are reimbursed by the publisher.
