Local veteran chef Jimmy Chok proclaims hatred for food bloggers

SINGAPORE - Local culinary consultant and private chef Jimmy Chok is not hiding his disdain for food bloggers.

The 45-year-old veteran in the F&B scene here recently admitted that he "hates them" in an interview with local news site Six-Six News.

Calling food bloggers "very young people", Mr Chok suggested it doesn't make sense for a 20-year-old to claim that he critiques food better when Mr Chok himself has been cooking, and still learning, even after 20 years.

"I've lost a lot of respect for bloggers, seriously... They are all paid, they are doing it for the money," added Mr Chok, a former chef at the Raffles Singapore and several restaurants including Salt and The Academy Bistro.

He also cited an incident in which a local food blogger had initially refused to pay for the meals consumed by his two friends who weren't on the invite list at a food tasting session. He eventually footed the bill of $160.

"Isn't that taking advantage of the situation? It's not the first time (such) things ever happened. So I'm sorry, you know, you want to do this as a career, fine, but don't do it at other people's expense," Mr Chok said.

He also expressed contempt for the Michelin Guide, calling the stars and ratings "crap" because food is subjective, Six-Six News reported. Furthermore, the impending Singapore Michelin Guide will raise food prices here, Mr Chok said.

huizhen@sph.com.sg