So much negativity in a year where people are desperate for positive news!
I think Lisa's & Lars's piece makes a wrong assumption about people wanting a reset. I actually think people don't want a reset. I think the people pushing for a reset are mainly journalists and other activists who would like to see better representation of women and minorities on these lists. Well I would like to see that as well. But I am not willing to sacrifice the impact of merit to make it happen. If there is a way I can help these categories of chefs to reach their full human potential as craftsmen, I would be happy to go out of my way to do it. But I am not alone in not being able to figure out a way.
The odd part about the perspective Lisa & Lars's piece puts forth is they seem to think that diners eat out for altruistic reasons, and that they eat out to advance social causes rather than looking for the best meal. Well to be honest with you, I have never met a single diner in my life who eats out for any other reason than selfish ones. This is not to accuse them of being selfish, but eating out for any other reason than deliciousness or intellectual curiosity about culinary technique is in conflict with the hobby they are passionate about. Hierarchies are in conflict with the concept of social justice, which is as much a zero sum game as ranking systems are.
So given the above, the best path forward is to maintain the historical system and nudge it in places in order to make it as diverse as possible. For example, there was a time when there were less than 6 women chefs on the OAD list. One of the reasons the number keeps increasing is I make it my personal business to visit the restaurant of any female chef who has a chance of making the list . And since my vote has a lot of weight, it helps them earn a place. I would do the same for a chef of color if there was one who could qualify. I wish I knew other ways to help but as I said, no one seems to know any. But people certainly know how to complain about it. ;-).
Also OAD topper for their Europe Cheap Eats list "Møller Kaffe & Køkken" (literally two blocks from my home 13 years) has been closed for 9 months. The new shop Mad&Kaffe Nørrebro is ok but nowhere near... like do they check anything?
So much negativity in a year where people are desperate for positive news!
I think Lisa's & Lars's piece makes a wrong assumption about people wanting a reset. I actually think people don't want a reset. I think the people pushing for a reset are mainly journalists and other activists who would like to see better representation of women and minorities on these lists. Well I would like to see that as well. But I am not willing to sacrifice the impact of merit to make it happen. If there is a way I can help these categories of chefs to reach their full human potential as craftsmen, I would be happy to go out of my way to do it. But I am not alone in not being able to figure out a way.
The odd part about the perspective Lisa & Lars's piece puts forth is they seem to think that diners eat out for altruistic reasons, and that they eat out to advance social causes rather than looking for the best meal. Well to be honest with you, I have never met a single diner in my life who eats out for any other reason than selfish ones. This is not to accuse them of being selfish, but eating out for any other reason than deliciousness or intellectual curiosity about culinary technique is in conflict with the hobby they are passionate about. Hierarchies are in conflict with the concept of social justice, which is as much a zero sum game as ranking systems are.
So given the above, the best path forward is to maintain the historical system and nudge it in places in order to make it as diverse as possible. For example, there was a time when there were less than 6 women chefs on the OAD list. One of the reasons the number keeps increasing is I make it my personal business to visit the restaurant of any female chef who has a chance of making the list . And since my vote has a lot of weight, it helps them earn a place. I would do the same for a chef of color if there was one who could qualify. I wish I knew other ways to help but as I said, no one seems to know any. But people certainly know how to complain about it. ;-).
Great piece. Thanks :-)
Also OAD topper for their Europe Cheap Eats list "Møller Kaffe & Køkken" (literally two blocks from my home 13 years) has been closed for 9 months. The new shop Mad&Kaffe Nørrebro is ok but nowhere near... like do they check anything?