Why I hate food critics....

[tackattack]

I don't think food critics are there to tell us what not to eat, the FDA and folks over at foodsafety.gov do that. Critics are there to rate food based on their experience, and by being a professional critique typically have more experiences with food. I agree with Smedders in that I can make my own decisions, but I do factor in yelp ratings, friends opinions, critiques into my openness to try something unknown. That's all a critique is, IMO, an experienced guide through a food jungle. What I'm hearing Bryan has a problem with isn't critics, it purists. It's the shop owners that won't sell ketchup, or the steak and cheese vendors that don't give a full range of toppings or sides. The way I see it, if you're good enough to sell food, and make money, then you're an artist, producing a product people want. If you want your Picasso's a certain way and enough other people do then you'll do well. You shouldn't have to compromise your art to please people, because that's not why you're cooking up your dreams to begin with.