Update 3 on August 25th 2010: Great article about the restaurant Private Affairs’ contradictory response about blogger integrity (which made me very uncomfortable, because blogging is all about freedom) and it’s own self promotion written on CNet Asia.
Update 2: The link is now down due to probably a million people trying to get to his blog. So meanwhile you can read the article at Yahoo Singapore which summarizes what Brad said. Anyway what saddens and scares me is the gay bashing. (not sure whether Brad is gay or not, can’t make a judgement about whether he is arrogant or sincere, but his sexuality is beside the point, and totally irrelevant)
Update on August 24th 2010: Lady Iron Chef’s blog is up again and he tells his side of the story in a Post entitled The Truth About This Food Blog and explains that he was invited for the food tasting, but admits to losing his temper.
What I wrote originally:
I was pretty shocked when I read this article about Lady Iron Chef which is written by Brad who takes really nice food photos. They’re a guzillion times better than anything I’ve ever taken.
It’s sad that he has since suspended his account. All I could think of was, all that work he has done on his blog – down the drain. What a pity. He seemed like a nice, polite person who responded to comments left on his blog. Other than that I don’t know him personally. But you know, somehow when you read somone’s blog online it feels like you know them a little and I can’t help but feel sorry for him. It all started when a restaurant (Private Affairs in Joo Chiat) spoke out about him expecting not to pay the bill in return for a review. The cost of the champagne brunch for him and his friends, came to S$435.
Personally I think it’s best to be anonymous in order to write the most impartial, unbiased reviews. Anyway this is the article in Yahoo Singapore that lead to things getting heated for him, besides the responses from other bloggers and people on the internet. There was also an article on STOMP that drew him quite a bit of harsh comments. It’s really quite scary how you can be up one day and completely down and out after just one incident.
It’s really terrifying the compassion doesn’t have a place on the internet, because no one’s perfect and anyone could slip up one day. This incident just reminds me that I should exercise more compassion myself and not be too quick to judge. Then, finally I came across another food blogger, Daniel Ang, who wants to hear Brad’s version of the story for a more balanced judgement. He too seemed shocked at the mass lynching.
It’s pretty shocking that he tried to demand for free food. I think it’s okay if the restaurant offers it, but it’s embarrassing for him to demand for it. Could there be some misunderstanding? He is after all very experienced in this area. If he has such a nasty nature all along, why didn’t it surface earlier?
The comments on the forums about him are really nasty as well, calling him all sorts of names. It’s scary how the tables can turn 180 degrees just due to this 1 incident. Previously he had such a good following with so many people giving him encouraging comments!
I wonder if he self-suspended his account?
I think he probably self suspended it due to all the mean comments…even though I don’t know him I feel like I do cos I read his blog….you know what I mean? I kinda feel sorry for him that now the world seems to have turned on him due to one incident. I think nobody’s perfect and this is just scary. I wonder if he was invited to the restaurant. If he was, there might be some miscommunication and he might have thought it was a free meal since he’s been getting other meals free this way?
I would be uncomfortable getting free meals, because life always comes with strings attached. Like they say, nothing in life is free. Also I’d rather read reviews from people who are anonymous and a bit like secret shoppers, but in this case secret eaters, who don’t get paid, but do it just for the love of writing and blogging….since they have a camera and an opinion to share. I’d rather read your blog than that of a famous food blogger, whose identity is known. I would trust your opinion over theirs. I think once the restaurant knows who you are they would definitely give you better service. It’s just the way it is. Also if people are extra nice to you knowing you’re a famous food blogger, I think your review would be somehow positive, no matter how unbiased you try to be.
http://ubookmark.wordpress.com/2010/08/24/no-no-darling…/
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