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Social media, you have a lot to answer for. You’ve given us selfies and belfies, humlebrags and hashtags and twittered your way into every aspect of our lives. But whilst some people might opt out of the selfie or never dream of using a hashtag, there is one trend you have given us that seem to transcend all classes, genders and ages. And that trend is porn…of the edible variety!
Food porn has worked its way into the public conscious and it seems that it doesn’t matter how old you are or your social standing, somehow you can’t resist taking a picture of your dinner and sharing it with the world. For a nation of food lovers the joys of this know no bounds. Whether you are proudly showing off a homemade pie (humblebrag alert!) or at a hot new restaurant (nothing humble about this brag!) Instagram is the spiritual home of food porn addicts.
The term food porn actually predates social media and was first used by Michael Jacobson, co-creator of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in 1979 as a way of differentiating between the “right stuff” we should be eating and the naughty stuff “food porn”. Whilst the term might raise a smile it isn’t too far from the truth of it. Eating delicious food is a sensual experience, evoking your sense of smell, touch and taste and, for most people, is immensely pleasurable. The pleasure of this seems to be heightened even more if the food is seen as bad for you.
Oh so bad, but oh so good. Cakes by Talia Maguire
Food has long been a cause for celebration; from wedding banquets to royal feasts, so it should come as no surprise that in the digital age we have found a new way to celebrate food. If you are a food lover you will no doubt welcome the stream of food porn on your Instagram feed or if you are a budding chef you can find inspiration and also share your ideas with the foodie boards on Pinterest. With the Great British Bake off back on our screens and celebrity chefs churning out cookery books as quick as you can say “Mary Berry”, it’s no wonder we are becoming a nation obsessed with food. After years of seeing celebrities promoting the “size zero” look it is good to see that we are once again celebrating good eating.
Samantha’s Homemade Food Porn Specials
But as with all things digital there has been some backlash; some top restaurants are unhappy with customers being more preoccupied with taking pictures of their gorgeous food and finding the right Instagram filter to display it, that they are concerned the food isn’t actually being enjoyed. However, today the reality is that a celebrity snap on Twitter of a plate of food is likely to do more for their restaurant than thousands of pounds worth of advertising. And this influence is not only limited to celebrities; research shows that people are more likely to trust what a friend or “follower” says on social media than a traditional advert.
Instagram worthy nosh
Even so, it’s important we don’t get so preoccupied with finding the right shot, that we forget what we enjoyed about food in the first place. So let’s bring the food porn down from the top shelf but do mind your manners, and for the sake of other diners, leave the flash off!
By Samantha Vandersteen
