‘You can’t do with them and you can’t do without them’. Restaurants have a complex relationship with food influencers. To seek a social media presence, eateries often barter with content creators— free food for a free reel. However, restauranteurs in Bengaluru are noticing a rise in scamsters posing as food influencers for free meals. Popular eateries like Vidyarthi Bhavan and Rameshwaram Cafe aren’t spared from being hoodwinked.
Rise In Scamsters Pretending To Be Food Influencers In Bengaluru
As per an article by Times Of India, Bengaluru is noticing a rise in freeloaders feigning as food influencers. Arun Adiga, the owner of the iconic Vidyarthi Bhavan in Gandhi Bazaar shared an anecdote about the same. He stated to TOI that a person visited the restaurant as a food influencer, seeking permission to shoot a video. The manager directed the call to Arun who told the man to shoot a video on a weekday morning when the crowd was less.
The person came with a family of four, enjoyed a meal and parcelled some food. The man then created a scene at the restaurant, calling the staff cheaters. In response, Arun and the Vidyarthi Bhavan management decided not to waive the bill. Arun implied the man sought free food in exchange for a review or reel. The Vidyarthi Bhavan explained that while the restaurant has never waived the bills in the past, they have given discounts.
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Hotel Association To Hold Meeting To Curb Issue
He cites the examples of eminent vloggers like Kripal Amanna and Rocky and Mayur who refuse to review the food unless they pay for their meal. The owner feels that a few black sheep can taint the credibility of other food influencers in the city. Divya Raghav, the owner of Bengaluru’s beloved Rameshwaram Cafe said even she has come across such freeloaders in the guise of being food influencers. She told TOI that there isn’t much to be done about this situation.
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But Bruhat Bangalore Hotel Association (BBHB) is working on a solution. BBHB secretary Veerendra Kamath said the association plans to have a meeting with influencers in the city to ‘curb this menace’. This is because ordinary restaurants and smaller establishments are vulnerable.
Bengalureans, what is your opinion on freeloaders posing as food influencers?
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro