Do food critics pay for the food they review?

Question

Do food critics pay for the food they review?

Answer 1

I hope not, if so thats prob why they give bad reviews.

Answer 2

Yes, they do.  Food critics do not want to be known as such or the experience will not be true, it will be tailor made for food critics.  They act just like other customers, and get a bill.  It's a silent evaluation that the staff shouldn't know about.

Answer 3

usually critics meals are paid for by the paper they work for..  sometimes they are given money for someone to come with them too so they don't stick out as a critic..  (and b/c if they bring someone of the opposite s*x they can include the cleanliness of the facilities on the review!)

Answer 4

Yes & no

They are given a stipend from their employer to purchase the meal. The meal is paid for to the restaurant, but not at the cost of the critic.

Answer 5

It depends on the critic. If they work freelance than they should let the restaurant know who they are and when they are coming. Its up to the restaurant whether or no they want to provide the meal for free. In most cases, its in the best interest of the restaurants to provide multiple dishes for free so that the critic can have a could taste of the entire menu. Then there are critics like Michael Bauer out of San Francisco. He will usually show up without any notice and the staff better be ready for him because he can make or break a business. He will also show about 3 times over a couple of weeks in order to get a good taste and view of all menu items and services. I am sure that he DOES NOT pay for his meals. Otherwise, People who work for a magazine or publisher will get budget money to pay for their meals.