We’ve had a number of conversations internally here at Eat It and Like It recently. All stemming from not only questions that we’ve been asked along the way, but also members of our Eat Squad review panel. It seems as though almost two years into our Southern food journey, a good many people don’t understand exactly who we are, what we are doing or how we do it. So I thought I’d take a few minutes to discuss it. Some time ago I wrote a blog about what Eat It and Like It is, but because of how much growth we’ve seen in the last eighteen months, it stands to reason that a good number of foodies and food lovers alike in our area don’t understand. So here goes…in question form (just to keep me from rambling too much. That gets me in trouble with the boss.)
- Who is featured on our television show? And how are they selected? The answer to this one is very simple. We do. Once topics for a season are selected (that’s a long process in and of itself), myself and my business partner Senea Crystal discuss who would be a good fit for it. Some criteria? Great food of course. There has to be a reputation for good food. Second, and equally as important, is an interesting story to tell. I won’t bore you with details, but you can get food reviews in any one of a bazillion places these days. Eat It and Like It was created to showcase the South’s best (the best that isn’t your typical Brunswick stew, butter beans or ambrosia), as well as the people behind them.
- Do people pay to be featured? Absolutely not. Ask anyone who has been featured on Eat It and Like It if they paid to be there. They did not. This question actually came at me personally very early on in the process because it was natural to think that. I’ve been a television journalist for almost twenty years. My opinions are my own and not for sale. (and I am plenty opinionated).
- Do I have bad experiences at restaurants? Of course I do. More than you think. Do other people have bad experiences at places I have enjoyed? Of course. Have some of the best restaurants in the world had people leave unhappy? Sure thing. The Olde Pink House here in Savannah is Savannah’s most popular restaurant. By far. Millions in sales every year. Have people had bad experiences there? Yep. Does that mean they aren’t a great restaurant? Of course not.
- You didn’t feature my favorite place. We actually laugh at this one regularly. First one we got poked about was the burger episode in Season 1. It’s a thirty minute show. We hit some of the most popular, my favorite, and one you may not have known about. That about covers thirty minutes. We could do an entire season on great burgers. Same goes for BBQ as well as Wings. It is literally impossible to feature all of the great food in our area, all the time. So, if we do a show on grits and overlook your favorite spot, please forgive us. I am sure they are wonderful.
- Why don’t you call out bad service? We are builders not destroyers. There are enough people in this area doing things the right way to keep me busy. Similarly, if a restaurant opens and just isn’t good enough, then guess what? No matter what I say about it, it’s going to take care of itself eventually and shut down. That is also why we created The Eat Squad. They are our five person review panel. The good, the bad and the ugly, you will get it from them. Every week. Only here on this website. This panel of foodies is independent, pays for their own meals, and chooses what restaurant THEY want to review. Obviously, we work with our Eat Squad but we don’t influence them in any way. They report what they experience.
Thanks to all of you for your support. 2013 promises to be another great year for us here at Eat It and Like It. Much more in store. Can’t wait to share.
See you on TV.
Jesse
