Turns out, chefs hate your food porn habit

By Kate Knibbs January 23, 2013

When you pay to eat at a fancy restaurant, you’re probably going to want to tell someone about your culinary adventure. And in 2013, what better way to do that than share your luxurious lunch or indulgent dinner on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook?

People take pictures of their meals all the time — just check the #foodie tag on Instagram, there are over a million photos. Haters can go right ahead and hate, but there are a lot of social media lovers out there making sure no brunch gets left un-shared.

However, a rebellion is brewing. Sick of seeing their patrons more focused on getting the perfect angle instead of having the perfect taste in their mouth, chefs are trying to fight against this trend. According to the New York Times, several high-profile NYC chefs are outlawing food photography. Though you can still sneak a snapshot at most places, Michelin-rated eateries like Momofuko Ko are establishing no-photography rules.

Chefs are trying to stop customers from taking pictures of their food for a few reasons. First, it can distract the other customers, especially if a flash is used. But beyond worrying about other patrons, some food connoisseurs believe interrupting a meal to whip out a camera is detrimental to the shooter’s own eating experience. Yes, they’re recording the event for posterity, but the obsessive documentation makes it harder to enjoy the present moment.

Most restaurants still allow iPhone food photography, even posh establishments like La Societe Bistro in Toronto. At the stylish eatery, which has an ornate stained glass ceiling also begging for a photo, general manager Zia Sheikh said they have no problem with or policy against people Instagramming their food. Some venues even encourage the practice.

But even if you can take photos of your food – should you? If you do, be prepared for the potential scorn. You may even end up on the Tumblr “Pictures of Hipsters Taking Pictures of Food.”

Now, please enjoy this video poking fun at the Foodies of Instagram.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Kate Knibbs is a writer from Chicago. She is very happy that her borderline-unhealthy Internet habits are rewarded with a…

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