Nick Nairn rates The Herald’s restaurant reviews.

Or at least that’s what the ever-straight-talking chef implied while being interviewed on the radio last weekend. Was he being kind because I was also on the panel, summoned to discuss the role of traditional critics versus foodie influencers? Maybe.

But I’ll take it, along with his assertion that while some people “just don’t have a scooby what they’re talking about”, there is still a place in the world for well-informed food writing from experienced journalists. I’m inclined to agree, and not just because that keeps me in a job.

There was, however, another opinion shared by a third and final guest during this amicable discussion that has stuck with me in the days since.

“I go by a rule of ‘I don’t give negative reviews’,” said Plymouth-based influencer Gaz Packer, or “@curygaz_eats” to his 26.6k Instagram followers.

“If there’s something I’ve gone and filmed, and I don’t enjoy it, I just don’t post it.”

On the surface, it’s a simple statement. Yet in sharing this strictly positive-vibes-only credo, this social media celeb inadvertently highlighted an important crossroads in our approach to work.

I’ve heard the same take from similar content creators over........

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