Making food photo-friendly - 6 Minute English

Summary

In this episode of 6 Minute English, Neil and Rob discuss the growing trend of photographing food, particularly on social media platforms like Instagram. They explore how food's appearance often influences our expectations of its taste, with high-quality photos potentially making dishes seem more delicious. They also touch on the role of influential food bloggers, the importance of 'presentable' food, and how restaurants are adjusting their menus for social media appeal. The hosts share insights from experts like Rebecca Milford and Professor Charles Spence, shedding light on how visual presentation can impact our dining experiences and perceptions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The rise of food photography: In today’s world, how a dish is photographed can sometimes be more important than how it actually tastes.
• 😀 Social media influence: Social media platforms like Instagram are crucial in promoting food by sharing visually appealing images.
• 😀 The power of visuals: A well-presented food photo can create expectations that the food will taste better, influencing our perceptions.
• 😀 The role of influencers: Influential Instagrammers and bloggers have the power to shape people’s food choices based on what they see online.
• 😀 A picture speaks a thousand words: A cliche phrase used to highlight the power of images in conveying messages about food.
• 😀 The impact of presentation: Some chefs and restaurant owners create dishes specifically designed to look good in photos, particularly for social media.
• 😀 Psychological effects: Our brains can trick us into thinking food tastes better if it looks good in photos, based on our expectations.
• 😀 The importance of 'presentable' food: Restaurants focus on making food visually appealing, as people often choose meals based on appearance in photos.
• 😀 Vocabulary insight: The script introduces words like 'gastronome' (someone who enjoys high-quality food), 'influential' (having power to affect others), and 'cliche' (an overused phrase).
• 😀 The role of chefs: The sous chef is second-in-charge in a kitchen, a crucial position that involves a lot of responsibility.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the discussion in the 6 Minute English program?

The main focus of the program is on photographing food, especially in relation to its popularity on social media.

What is a 'gastronome' as mentioned in the script?

A gastronome is someone who enjoys and knows a lot about high-quality food.

What does 'social media-addicted world' refer to in the context of the program?

It refers to the widespread use of social media platforms where people share photos of their food rather than just eating it.

What is the role of a 'Sous chef' in a restaurant?

A Sous chef is usually second in charge in a restaurant kitchen, after the head chef, and has significant responsibility for running the kitchen.

How does social media influence food choices, according to the program?

People often make food choices based on food photos they see on social media platforms like Instagram, even before they visit a restaurant.

What is a 'cliche' as explained in the script?

A cliche is a well-known phrase that has been overused to the point where it has become boring or unoriginal. An example from the script is 'a picture speaks a thousand words.'

How does the presentation of food impact its perceived taste, according to Professor Charles Spence?

Professor Spence explains that when food is beautifully presented, it can set better expectations, influencing how we experience its taste due to our brain's anticipation.

What does the term 'influential' mean in the context of food photography?

In the context of food photography, 'influential' refers to people who have the power to affect others' opinions and behaviors, such as food bloggers and Instagrammers.

Why do some restaurants invest in PR companies for food photos?

Restaurants pay PR companies to take high-quality photos of their dishes because these photos can be shared on social media to attract customers and promote the restaurant.

What is the significance of the word 'presentable' in the program?

'Presentable' refers to something that looks good and is appropriate for people to see. In the context of food, it means that the food should look appealing enough to be photographed and shared on social media.