How social are chefs?

Do chefs use social media for work purposes and if so which channels are they using? (The Staff Canteen obviously!!!)

Research into a chef’s use of social media is currently being completed by Mars Foodservice and the Craft Guild of Chefs. The survey which will only take a few minutes to complete is hosted at http://dblon.de/1f4QMvz. Those who complete the survey, by the closing date of Friday 1^st November 2013, will have the opportunity to win an iPad donated by Mars Foodservice. The report on the results will highlight whether chefs use social media for work, why they use it, how it helps their business and how they feel about consumers taking images of food they have cooked before it’s eaten. Leading social business consultancy Digital Blonde, which specialises in hospitality, food and foodservice, will author the report which will be released in November 2013. The team has already begun to explore the use of social media from the consumer’s point of view with the recent release of their #FoodPorn study. This looked into why people share images of food online and the types of food they share. Sarah Gray, marketing manager Mars Foodservice said “As a supplier toUKchefs, we are seeing more and more using social media. We are really keen to find out how social media works for them and what they get out of it. The Digital Blonde #FoodPorn study generated a lot of interest and it sparked our idea to look at social media from the chef’s point of view. I wonder if social has a love versus hate relationship amongst chefs – we will find out the answer in just a few weeks.” Martin Bates, CEO of The Craft Guild of Chefs added “Modern day chefs have so much more to think about than just the taste and appearance of the dishes they cook. Positive and negative reviews are spreading so much quicker through social media but at the same time I hear some amazing success stories from chefs that are using social media well. It will be interesting to get an idea for how the whole industry feels about it and see what support we, as an association, can give to those who need a little extra help. I would encourage all our members to share their views.”

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