Andrea Strong's Response to 'Top Chef' Viewers
On last week's episode of Top Chef, Andrea Strong (The Strong Buzz) was brought in to give the contestants a taste of what they could expect online in the form of criticism from food bloggers. Viewers reacted strongly to her appearance in the comments on Padma Lakshi's Top Chef blog.
I just noticed that this week, Strong had a chance to respond to them.
I really feel very harshly judged by the viewers. I had to stop reading the comments. I have been in this business for many years, and have not only worked in restaurants but I have opened them, and I have been a food journalist for almost a decade with my work appearing in the New York Times (where an article I wrote was named in the "Best Food Writing of 2003"), New York Magazine, and in the New York Post, among other magazines and newspapers. I fully stand by my critique of the restaurants from last week, and I invite dialogue and difference of opinions, but I think the sort of negativity and nastiness on the Bravo blog and elsewhere is unfortunate, and I really do wish people did a bit of research about who I am and how I am qualified, before they lashed out at me. Just a thought.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
5 Comments:
Andrea just learned one of the sad realities of the web. By makiing yourself visible you've made yourself a target. And there's nothing like a little envy to make things worse. The hostility expereinced in the last week or so by both Andrea and RG (I can still call her that, right?) is just good old-fashioned jealousy.
ronfrankl at 6:15PM on 08/24/07
Jealousy? Or reminding someone that plain out and out meanness isn't the same as snarky commentary!
Ms. Strong felt that by posting her bio and resume, she'd increase her credibility. But when you're a columnist, either online or offline, your words better speak for themselves. Hers spoke volumes, including errors, and personal attacks where actual critiqueing would have been far more appropriate.
txvoodoo at 1:19AM on 08/25/07
Well said, txvoodoo! Couldn't agree more.
Curlz at 9:24AM on 08/25/07
Whether one likes it or not, the web is an agglomeration of all people from varying and assorted backgrounds. When taken collectively, their opinions really do comprise a democratic forum. I agree entirely with the notion that if you, in this instance Ms. Strong, can't stand the heat - then, it's time to get out of the kitchen (euphemistically speaking of course)!
drbehavior at 9:41PM on 08/26/07
Please. Devoted fans take Top Chef seriously and do not hesitate to rant on the Bravo blog when they disagree with the judges' decisions or comments they make during elimination. I adore Tom Colicchio and have never questioned his credentials or merit as head judge, but I've been known to rant at him and question the judging methodology when I've disagreed with it (as in last week with the elimination of Tre). But you don't see Tom coming back whining about how qualified he is, how many restaurants he's opened, and how he just can't stand the negativity!
Speaking of research, before Andrea ventured down this path, did she think to read some of the past bloggers' entries? If she had, she would have known that she was putting herself on the firing line just as Tom, Padma, Gail, Ted and guest bloggers do every week. She had an opportunity to defend her post professionally and gracefully; but with her reponse she instead just comes across as a whiny and insecure amateur.
Jeana at 3:47PM on 08/27/07