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1. • CommentAuthorwee hubert (CommentTimeFeb 21st 2008)

    
   I was asked to be a voluntary food critic by an online dating company for their e-magazine after they saw my food blog Should I accept? It really shouldn't be voluntary..but..
2. •  
     CommentAuthorpicky gourmet (CommentTimeFeb 21st 2008)

    
   dude, if they give free meals just do it....if critic then still need to pay yourself, ask them to shove it up their a$$ ahahaha =) imagine they ask you to pay yourself and critic les amis ...heheh
3. • CommentAuthorwee hubert (CommentTimeFeb 21st 2008)

    
   They don't ask me what restaurants to post on, just send them whatever I want..
4. •  
     CommentAuthorpicky gourmet (CommentTimeFeb 21st 2008)

    
   eh free labor? in exchange for?
5. •  
     CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008)

    
   Wah PG...u damn funny man !!!
6. •  
     CommentAuthorcloudgal (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008)

    
   its up to u den...altho since they approach u, i feel tt there shld b some form of remuneration bah...else why shld u put in the effort?
7. •  
     CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008)

    
   How abt asking them to issue u a co Visa card for you to bill your makansutra sessions ?
8. •  
     CommentAuthorAlison Heng (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008)

    
   i used to do food reviews for the now defunct SingaporeFeasting.com and The Black Card...basically, tasting sessions are all paid for...& i receive dining vouchers as a form of remuneration.
9. • CommentAuthorwee hubert (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008 edited)

    
   Quoting their message: "As for the pay, there won't be any charges as we hope that it will be on a voluntary basis. However on the article, we are able to put your banner or your website link so that our members will also be able to read your blog."
   
   
   I think because it's a new company, they don't want to pay yet.. But still not good.
10. •  
      CommentAuthorhygiene (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008)

     
    if u love food so much, why not? u've got nothing to lose anyway. treat it as a chance to just taste a wider range of food n write reviews? but u should feel rather honoured that they value your opinion! this could be very well a first step towards greater things in life!..(like as u become more famous, more companies will be willing to treat u!)
11. •  
      CommentAuthorBlues Almighty (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008)

     
    then in turn you can benefit the HGW community and treat all of us when big bucks come rolling in!
12. •  
      CommentAuthorAnne Lee (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008 edited)

     
    I would really look into it first before you put your good name on it.
    
    I was once asked to be in an advertisement for a local restaurant. After a bit of research, the place ended up being a hostess bar. LOL!

    Heavenly Cod
13. •  
      CommentAuthorPANERAI (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008)

     
    OMG !
14. • CommentAuthorwee hubert (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008)

     
    Normally I eat out alone, so I don't get to try a variety of dishes, not good for being a critic.
    
    The company website is here- www.whoworksaroundyou.com
15. •  
      CommentAuthorpicky gourmet (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008)

     
    the simply fact is many dotcoms don't make it..... the site is basically asking if you can syndicate your reviews from your blogs to them so they can legally use it. It is a resourceful way of getting comething for nothing. To accept of not if entirely dependent on what you value.
    
    If you are fine just to get your name out then by all means do so if it serves your purpose. If you don't really care for more people to notice your blog or you rather not be associated with the company (for whatever reasons) then simply reject them and intro them to ladyironchef cos he will love to do it. hehhehe
16. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2008)

     
    they should at least pay for ur meal at a approved restaurant, or stall...
    
    yeah I agree with Anne, read the fine lines and do ur own research...
17. •  
      CommentAuthorLinda (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    OMG Anne, my umma and ahpa would have disowned me if I was in that ad.
    
    They're just getting over that home-video that my ex...umm... oh never mind. =]
18. •  
      CommentAuthorLinda (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008 edited)

     
    hahaha I'm just kidding. No video btw.
19. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    u sure????? hahahahaha
20. •  
      CommentAuthorJon Wan (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    hubert is the MAN!!
21. • CommentAuthorwee hubert (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    who? me?
22. •  
      CommentAuthorJon Wan (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    yah...!!
23. • CommentAuthorwee hubert (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    why ?!
24. •  
      CommentAuthorAmy Lee (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    I would love to be a professional food critic.
25. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    who doesn't??? esp the kind that travel the globe....dreaming....hmmm...i would do japan 1st, then korea, then france (country side food), .....
26. •  
      CommentAuthorAnne Lee (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    traveling and getting paid to eat at nice establishments. dream job for sure.
27. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    yeah but surely they have to get a personal trainer as part of the contract??? hahaha..wonder how those host stays trim?
28. •  
      CommentAuthorAnne Lee (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    have you heard of racheal ray? she's sucha cutie!
29. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    really??? have not heard of her...just googled it http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/rachael_ray
    
    what type of food does she normally showcased?
    
    I like to watch the australian SBS food channel....just found out that its showing in spore too...
30. •  
      CommentAuthorAnne Lee (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    she has a show called $40 a day. the show gives advise on where to dine in major cities for less. features really great restaurants with good deals.
31. •  
      CommentAuthorAnne Lee (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    any shows like that for singapore?
32. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    cool...will try to watch it online..youtube maybe???
33. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    hmmm...there's always some sort of great deal eating prog on TV, but its usually on the chinese channel...abt 8pm
    
    then there's makan sutra for the english channel...
    
    but i don't get a chnace to watch TV from mon-fri...
34. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    ice should be able to advise u....she's also a TV queen
35. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    hey anne...c ya...got to go get sth light for dinner..what shd I eat???? actually graving for rice n kimchi....but lazy to cook rice...
36. •  
      CommentAuthorAnne Lee (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    hmm... have you ever had kimcho cheegae (kimchi soup)?
37. •  
      CommentAuthorSCdreamer (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    yup!!! totally love it...hot n spicy...sweating all over , during n aft eating... u got a good recipe??? i wonder how those host do it when they eat hot n spicy stuff n not break a drop of sweat???? mutiple takes?? (just keping to the topic....hahahaha...hv to throw in a bit here n there, if not DG will complain...hahahaha)
38. •  
      CommentAuthorJon Wan (CommentTimeFeb 23rd 2008)

     
    hmm...never thought of that...but i like to watch Jamie Oliver
    
    will anyone start a thread on who their favourite tv guy is.....
39. •  
      CommentAuthorShu Yen (CommentTimeMar 5th 2008 edited)

     

    Posted By: wee hubertI was asked to be a voluntary food critic by an online dating company for their e-magazine after they saw my foodblogShould I accept? It really shouldn't be voluntary..but..

    Posted By: wee hubertQuoting their message: "As for the pay, there won't be any charges as we hope that it will be on a voluntary basis. However on the article, we are able to put your banner or your website link so that our members will also be able to read your blog."
    
    I think because it's a new company, they don't want to pay yet.. But still not good.

    My say, "Don't bother."
    
    These online start ups are just trying to lure us with our dreams of becoming a famous food blogger. Some tried on me before too, promising me renumeration on condition of traffic only to deny my efforts by saying there wasn't enough traffic. But hey, at least they gave hope of a little bit of cash. This one's literally playing with your heart man.
    
    And that's not to mention that they would become a direct competitor with HGW, which although not the first, but is currently the most established food review portal in Singapore. In short, what have they got fight with HGW? They obviously have nothing compelling or aggressive enough to draw people away from the established players, that's why they played safe to "ask for voluntary reviews". Do you think they would even ask ieatishootipost?
    
    
    My suggestions:
    
    Stick with HGW and write more and bring more people to review on HGW to firmly establish it as an entity far more credible than ST food writers and MediaCorp food show personalities who eat for free and can only say good things even when it's bad food.
    
    Then have HGW propose to eateries for group reviews at the restaurateurs' cost. It can also be a focus group for the eateries to try out new menus and to improve their recipes. HGW can then take a cut from this and its members can enjoy incentives like free meals or even cash.
    
    To prevent abuse of this proposal, HGW will also need to organize surprise visits periodically to eateries maintain the integrity and credibility of the portal and quality of food at the eateries.
    
    So what do you say, Three Hungry Men? Feasible business model?

    SCdreamer