Follow British Immigration and British News: Dining out and writing reviews have become hobbies for many. However, few are as passionate about reviewing restaurants as Phil Blackett, a British food enthusiast.
Blackett is an active contributor on the "Tripadvisor" website, posting restaurant reviews almost daily. Due to his unique evaluation standards, he has become the most feared food critic among local restaurants.
Exploring the World
At 52 years old, Blackett resides in Newcastle upon Tyne and works as a sales representative for a glasses company. Due to his job, he frequently travels and often dines out. Since 2008, he has been posting food reviews on the "Tripadvisor" website and has maintained this habit.
From the ubiquitous chain bakery Greggs to high-end Michelin-starred restaurants, Blackett does not miss a single opportunity.
The Daily Mail reported on the 16th, quoting Blackett: "I travel all over the world for work, so I often have the chance to eat out. I rate every place, from barbecue stalls to trendy hotels."
The "Tripadvisor" website shows that Blackett has reviewed 780 restaurants in 501 cities across 36 countries and regions, with the farthest reviews coming from Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and Venezuela.
Addicted to Reviewing
Blackett's diligent reviews have paid off. He was named the UK's most prolific reviewer by the "Tripadvisor" website in 2012. He said: "I received a basket full of food, and people told me I am the world's number one food critic. I thought, no wonder my waistline keeps expanding."
Blackett has maintained his passion for reviewing. He stated: "It's not very good for my health, but I eat out more often." Nowadays, even if his wife wants to make the simplest salad, he insists on taking her out to eat.
He jokingly said: "To retain this title in 2013, I need to gain a few more pounds."
As a grassroots food critic, Blackett's dining experiences better represent the average person. "Restaurant owners and staff do not see me as a prolific critic, so I receive the same treatment as regular customers. If they are polite to someone like me, their service deserves five stars."
Unique Standards
Blackett's evaluation standards for food are quite unique, and he is not afraid to pour cold water on some high-end restaurants that are highly praised by well-known food critics.
He once rated a Michelin two-star restaurant in Venice, Italy, with a score of 2. In his review, he wrote: "We came to this acclaimed Michelin two-star restaurant to celebrate a partner's birthday but were very disappointed. The food was exquisite, the service was good, and the atmosphere was acceptable. However, many Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe are too bland. British Michelin restaurants work much harder to make themselves more interesting and unique."
Blackett said: "I have given zero stars to some top restaurants while rating some small, dirty barbecue places highly. This is not nitpicking; I have my standards."
Blackett has five "deal-breakers." If a restaurant encounters any of these, it can only receive a "tragic" rating. In his view, rude and sloppy service is absolutely unacceptable, and there should be a greeter at the entrance. Incorrect music playing in the restaurant can make him "go crazy," and paper tablecloths and food served in colorful ceramic dishes can instantly ruin his appetite.
However, he also said: "That said, delicious food is enough to make one overlook poor service."
