Mario Batali Hates Food Blogs: An Article Every Food Blogger Should Read
Published by foodette June 13th, 2007 in Blogging Community, Restaurant Reviews.I just came across an article in Eater, “Why I hate Food Bloggers By Mario Batali #01″. After reading it, I kinda felt like I just got spanked. First, let me say that I love Mario Batali - I have loved him for years from what I saw of him on the Food Network. His generous use of olive oil, his love for rustic and simple cooking, the fact that he’s a red-haired Italian….and not to mention those clogs. I always root for him when he’s on Iron Chef. I have yet to taste his actual cooking, but I am planning on making a reservation at Mozza ASAP.
So, I guess I was shocked when I learned he hates food bloggers. I felt a little rejected, too. But, as I read through the entire article, I began to see his point. There was one thing that he said that really stuck out to me. Bloggers aren’t journalists. He’s right: unlike regular journalism, bloggers don’t have to do any fact checking. They also don’t have any editors. And yet, people believe what the bloggers write, because it’s in print.
In reading through the many comments, I found almost everyone agreed with Mario. A whole onslaught of food blog haters. One person pointed out that bloggers need to realize that linking to another blog is not considered citing a reputable source. While this is true, I never thought of it that way. I always thought of it as “link-love”.
I left my own comment, stating that the ability to have this conversation is the reason I love the Internet. Everyone has a voice - be it good or bad. I do believe that. And another thing I believe: both bloggers and readers have a responsibility. Bloggers, of course, have a responsibility for what they write. But readers have a responsibility for what they believe. Just because someone wrote it, doesn’t make it true. If you disagree, make sure to comment. As a reader, your voice is just as valuable, if not more valuable, than the bloggers’ voices. Make yourself heard.
Anyway, I have a feeling that this article will get passed around quite a bit in the food blogging community. I think it’s a good thing. How can we food bloggers give criticism, and not know our own critics?
Take a moment to follow the above link. Read what Mario says. More importantly, read the comments. Post your own comment to stick up for food bloggers everywhere. And post a comment here, because I really want to know what the other food bloggers think about this.
Amen and thanks for the comment! I wrote a follow up.
I am not a food blogger but I do agree with you entirely on the fact of we as readers are responsible for what we believe or do not believe. The internet is full of all kinds of great stuff (and awful stuff) but it is up to the individual on what they choose to read as far as food blogs or any blogs go. Myself, I LOVE food blogs!
Interesting read and I respect Mario Batali has some excellent points. Namely that a majority of the people blogging anonymously tend to blog a bit more haphazardly.
In my opinion blogs in general tend to be more fun to read than newspapers. Have you noticed the recent increase in newspaper blogs? That’s saying something. I think newspapers have finally discovered that people like reading blogs and the accompanying opinions, however slanted. This is while daily newspaper subscribers are rapidly declining.
You got it, Foodette. My sentiments exactly. We readers bear the responsibility of believing or not–and our voices shall be heard. We food-bloggers bear some responsibility–if we care a damn about integrity–of crafting the best possible posts.
Mario makes great points, but leaves out one essential thing–many of us humans love food and love to think about it and write about it. The passion he has for his art is like the passion I feel and you feel about food and about writing about food. It’s all love and it’s all good. We don’t have to compete and in any case, we will not go away. Mario can reject us, but we’re still gonna be there tomorrow.
And, he’s throwing out the baby with the Meyer lemon-scented finger-bowl water. There are sucky food blogs and there are fabulous food blogs. It’s pure prejudice to say food-blogging in general is deplorable. We know it ain’t so.
Despite his blindness to the beauties of food-blogging, I still think he’s cute and I’d still love to try his food. Pour some of that olive oil on me, babee!
Thanks, Erika!
Sheliza - yes that’s exactly it. The Internet is filled with wonderful things and downright frightening things. It’s freedom of speech to the extreme. It’s my choice how I exercise my freedom to read it all.
Darlene - good points about old media crumbling at the hands of new media. Whether Mario likes it or not, blogging is here to stay. Also, I see that you picked up on the whole anonymous blogging bit he wrote about. I still am not sure how I feel about it. I originally wanted to be anonymous like the Zagat critics. Maybe I should “show my face”.
Tumerica - I agree with everything you wrote. My guess is that he hates the criticism and needs someone to lash out at. It’s too bad - many of us food bloggers are also his customers. I am sure he hates us a lot less when we sign our credit card bills. Oh well.
Hello! Good Site! Thank you!
Hey foodette-
Just saw your latest comment on the ongoing Batali banter. Way to drive it home once again! Nicely done.
slrdimcadf - thanks so much, I really appreciate your kinds words.
Erika - I just felt driven to answer those questions. I have been so taken aback by this whole thing. I had no idea there were so many food blog haters out there. I also never knew all the haters thought we had such attitudes. Craziness.