Why should foodies bother with Twitter?
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I really don't have an addictive personality and consider myself a surprise convert to this most compelling and aptly friendly social media. Yet, I confess, it was difficult the other night to tear myself away from tweeting the editor of the UK's top catering magazine what I'd recommend eating at Jason Atherton's Pollen Street Social; talking with fellow food and travel journalists about the new Mandarin Oriental Paris and my interview with its outspoken modernist chef Thierry Marx; and gleaning culinary gossip on new London restaurant openings. In a nutshell, this explains what makes a proudly traditional print media journalist such an enthralled advocate of social media and especially . Even though it does mean I often burn the midnight oil finishing deadlines.
True die-hard tweeters were already at it back in 2009. Twitter seemed merely an indulgent and often frivolous way of legitimately eavesdropping on what others were up to, which often turned out to be rather mundane. But like any relationship, it needed working at.
It's clear now that it's a very valuable research and communication tool. As with wider current affairs, it is where most news stories are broken now. Thanks to key tweeters such as of (previously an international print journalist of 16 years) just this week, I heard details about Delauney, London restaurant The Wolseley鈥檚 new opening; Tom Aiken closing to refurbish his Chelsea restaurant and an unrepeatable deal on wine at another top restaurant. Vine says, 鈥渙nce a story is confirmed, I like to tweet within a minute; it's that instant, great for the adrenalin and so democratic.鈥澨 And it is truly intriguing who鈥檚 tweeting now. Only the other week, legendary chef alerted me to a controversial article published in the US on forgotten vegetables.
Essentially, it's all about sharing. As Emma Jane Clark, who runs says, 鈥渢hat's the real buzz, simply write 140 words [characters] and press the share button.鈥澨 For a journalist to be instantly able to share opinions, comment on trends, offer advice and respond directly to those who comment on tweets, and encourage 鈥渇ollowers鈥 to get involved is akin to having a furiously interactive column.
For a food writer, as for a food company, self-editing is important in keeping tweets compelling. Whilst some may have a passing curiosity as to what I've eaten for supper or where I've dined out, I really don't assume anyone wants to know every day of the week. Similarly, a pithy, quizzical comment by on the latest nutritional findings on spelt or announcing that their Cornish neighbour Nathan Outlaw has created a peerless cheese scone recipe is far more interesting and likely to be picked up than a bakery store announcing what's on the menu - unless it is something truly unusual. Canny tweeters, baking guru is one, are encouraging traction and loyalty by tweeting ahead the ingredients to buy for their .
Contrary to what many doomsayer may assume, Twitter is as social in the real world as its name suggests. Tellingly Twitter's greatest density of users is in London. Thanks to Twitter, I've met fascinating 鈥欌 culinary talents like ex-St. John's Bread & Wine chef and member of , and ex model agent who runs a brilliant first pop-up Thai dinner.
Looking ahead - and I hope it is not wishful thinking - I don't see Twitter and the whole digital world eclipsing print media, merely that the two should become more integrated and continue to complement and, in the best possible sense, feed on each other.
So let us know what you think. Do you think Twitter and other social media have changed the face of food media for the better? Do you use Twitter to market a food business? Or do you think there鈥檚 a point in tweeting what you鈥檝e just eaten? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on .
Sudi Pigott is a food writer and keen tweeter.
Comment number 1.
At 17th Aug 2011, Chris Young wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 2.
At 17th Aug 2011, U14950834 wrote:All this user's posts have been removed.Why?
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Comment number 3.
At 17th Aug 2011, TheGreedyFork wrote:Twitter is a very useful way of connecting with a large audience. I see it as a community where relatioships can be establoshed. As a food blogger and aspiring food writer, I find it comforting to know what other food writers/bloggers have to say. Therefore, I think it's a positive force in the world of food media.
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Comment number 4.
At 18th Aug 2011, Dan Lepard wrote:Interesting post.
Before the inter-web-digital-thingy, I knew people who were great letter writers and terrible on the phone, or friends who were expert postcard writers (never a letter). Some people only exchanged on the phone, for hours on end, while some preferred popping around for a coffee. I remember long debates over which way was best, and friends arguing why they鈥檇 鈥渘ever write鈥 or 鈥渉ate the phone鈥.
Twitter, Facebook, emails, texting, forums, blogs鈥 just add to the ways we exchange thoughts with one another, and each attracts people who find it suits their style. No big 鈥渟ocial media鈥 ocean, just small ponds with communities that suit us. They don鈥檛 exchange that well, like the old days, so the long debates will continue over whether a blog post is better or worse than a tweet.
In food, if tasting and sensing the ingredient or dish in front of you is important, then a brief sentence can sometimes communicate the impression or idea with more punch than a long essay. Brevity has always been valued in writing, and twitter takes this to the extreme.
If great food is about keeping it simple then Twitter is a good partner.
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Comment number 5.
At 18th Aug 2011, strangerthankitchen wrote:As a food blogger strangerthankitchen.com, I tweet under the handle @foodmacgyver. I find it helps alert those to my recent posts and my about the town food finds.
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Comment number 6.
At 21st Aug 2011, Daisy Chain wrote:I never realised how lonely being social could be - meals are an event to be shared with people, not broadcast willy nilly.
Twittering about food mmm tastes nice - , yuk tastes nasty.
If any dining companion of mine began to offer thier foodie tweets whilst at the table I would be appalled.
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Comment number 7.
At 30th Aug 2011, KaveyF wrote:Many people who disparage twitter, having never used it, like to insist that it's a communication medium for social outcasts, for people who'd rather talk via a computer than in real life. What they fail to realise is how it provides an immediate and easy interface that allows people with shared interests to connect, and to carry those connections through into real life. I have met so many, many people in real life as a result of first befriending them on twitter. I've found out about many fantastic events, products and random things. And many great opportunities have come my way. Sure, I can use it to procrastinate with the best of them, and much content may not have obvious value, other than in establishing and keeping alive the friendships and relationships that make life beautiful. But those who dismiss without truly understanding are doing themselves a disservice, not to mention making facile arguments about the nature of the thing.
BTW It's 140 characters, not 140 words. x
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Comment number 8.
At 31st Aug 2011, Ramona Andrews 成人快手 Food host wrote:#7 - Good point. I'll update to "140 characters" now.
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