False Advertising

Here is another classic advertisement.

Advertising can be very effective if done in the right places, and the correct way.

For me word of mouth is the best form of advertising, definitely not inflated, self opinionated advertising.

This brings me to write this post.

I rarely get a newspaper, basically because I can find all that I want over the net. But just the other day a friend of mine had this paper and showed me an article about respect. A very apt column and one that we both agreed on, I mentioned that I had read something very interesting the last weekend whilst having a coffee in town, about peoples professions and how others outside of their professions knew better, go figure.

Anyway after bringing the paper home and having lie around for a few days I began to thumb through it, only to stumble at the first page.

Right there in big full colour was some advertisement for a place that serves food and drink, it has a name but that's 'the secret'.
This ad would have cost a bit as it took up a third of the page.
It had the normal, place name, opening times, where it is, and a slogan of the establishment "yeah right", a picture and then the detailed stuff.
Now all the above is fine, because it is generally true fact, I mean your not going to put in a false address or telephone number are you!

But what got me again, is many over inflated establishments that need to drum up business, over exaggerate their ability, or lack of should I say. Just like a lot of people do themselves. Lets not go there right now.....

The right to state that you are, or have the biggest and the best...........in CQ (you fill in the gap) is down right bullshit and false advertising. How do you know that it is true? Have you been to every eatery in CQ and tried and tested them, I don't fucking think so.

Next CQ's FAMOUS..............once again fill in the gap. How does something become famous? Recognition and accolades, over a period of time famous, not just in your little shoe box.

Then how about this 'Award Winning Chefs', here I just have to laugh. Maybe they do have awards, like apprentice of the year, a big well done, or a culinary award from the Brisbane food expo, or some competition for best young chef in Queensland, they are awards. Not some piece of shit plaque that you won at the fucking show or fair, or maybe a cook off in the shopping centre.

The point is, lets not get carried away with this awards hype, the proof is in the pudding as the saying goes. Not some certificate that says you have the best or highly commended what ever in the region, voted or judged by the region. What the fuck! Stop all this I'll vote for you if you vote for me bullshit. Wake up to yourselves.

I have awards, but do I publish them or use them as advertising!? My fellow chef has more awards, does he do the same? No. If you have a real award well congratulations and very well done for participating, but cut the crap.

Awards and certificates are given out too easily by organisations with little or no depth within the industry. That's OK, but lets not over inflate them. An award from the Good Food Guide Australia or something like that well that's different. It's almost like saying you worked for Gordon Ramsay, when you only lasted half a day!!

On that note, lets move on hey.........