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Why banning food pics on Instagram is a bad idea

Zee Germans… over the last few days I have been reading with interest about the emerging saga in Germany about chefs banning their guests from photographing their food. It's puzzling. From my own experiences over the last few years in Germany of holidaying in Bavaria, I have seen a massive improvement in the standard of food. This might have driven competition between the good chefs and restaurants of which there are a few. Perhaps there is a large amount of food plagiarism occurring in Germany, a lot of imitation going on? So the chefs have decided to put a stop to this once and for all, but why would limiting a Instagram feed stop this and what can be achieved?

However from a very Germanic logical standpoint, this brings about a question. Do we own a recipe? Do we own the rights to a dish? Is there some form of culinary patent? Let me compare: if I buy anything from a Volkswagen Golf to a plant from my garden centre, once I am in possession of that item, surely I can photograph it, Instagram and Twitter it till my heart is content. And surely if any country is logical enough to work this out the rules and legalities of such a matter its 'zee Germans!

But my experience of German chefs gives me a little insight into the problem. Over the years I have worked with more than a few German chefs. Your average Hans & Nicole are usually the engine rooms in the brigade, organised, precise, driven and dedicated, but rarely creative. Germany has always had a handfull of world class eateries, usually staffed by (Italians and French) but perhaps in all the hustle and bustle of Germany's rise of interest and fascination in all things foodie, we are seeing a creative side coming out of the average German chef. The well oiled machine that is Hans, is now showing his irrational side. Along with Nicole he is creating great sexy and visually appealing food. They have thrown away the logical shackles and embraced their creative side. He might have even swapped his Volkswagen for a Alpha, the world has gone fucking mad!

Hans is proud, he now considers himself a German culinary pioneer. He turns to Nicole 'no more cardboard schnitzels here baby' and fuck it 'I am opening up on Sunday's'. Nicole can feel an energy in Hans she hasn't seen for years,. He has got fire in his belly. 'My husband is a fucking Hipster', she yells with delight at the top of her voice. The whole town hears this and suddenly the restaurant is full. Once the guests get over the fact that schnitzels are not on the menu and it's a Sunday, they sit down to an 8 course tasting menu, which is full of Vava Voom and local flavours and of course German wine. One of the Germans whips out his iPhone and starts to photograph the delights that keep appearing. Nicole who is absolutely furious that all of Hans's ideas and hard work will be stolen, shouts loudly in German 'How dare you! Put your phone away, this is forbidden!'

It probably happened just like I described. But then again, this ridiculous story is just as ridiculous as the concept of banning people from photographing food in restaurants to begin with. Hans is probably forgetting the publicity and promotions he would receive from simply asking his customer to tag him in the photos to begin with.

Either that or he is scared that his dishes just look like every other dish on Instagram....

Damien Taylor is een van de top chefs bij Hutten. Meer Damien? Check zijn blog www.hooligankitchen.com