Does it matter if the person serving your food is from the same cultural background as the cuisine? (Courtesy: Canva)
The idea of authenticity in food has always been a hot topic, but recently, a new debate sparked online when one user questioned whether it’s a red flag to walk into a restaurant that specializes in a specific cuisine—only to be served by someone who isn’t from that culture.
This conversation gained momentum when an online user shared their experience at a Jamaican restaurant in Toronto, expressing their surprise at not being served by someone of Jamaican descent. The video quickly went viral, and opinions flooded in from all corners of the internet.
The Original Post: Is It a Problem?
In the TikTok video, the user explains how he walked into a Jamaican restaurant and found himself served by someone who didn’t share the same cultural background as the cuisine he was about to enjoy. The user seemed to question whether this fact impacted their experience, as he believed there might be an expectation for someone from that culture to be serving food at an authentic restaurant.
This sparked an online debate about the importance of cultural representation in the food industry. Some viewers agreed with the sentiment, believing that having servers and chefs from the same background enhances the authenticity of the experience. Others, however, argued that the quality of the food should be the primary focus.
Griizly’s Take: “It’s About Knowledge and Skill”
Now here at The BG Show, we connected with a content creator named Griizly to get his take on the heated food debate.
Griizly shared that, in his experience, the cultural background of restaurant staff doesn’t always dictate the authenticity or quality of the food.
“I’ve seen it a lot of times, and I don’t really have a problem with it. As long as the food is good, the service is good, they’re educated, and they know what they’re doing,” Griizly said.
He added that, while it’s important for the staff to understand and appreciate the culture behind the food, it’s the quality of the food itself that ultimately matters.
“My take on that is when it comes to real, authentic food, if there are people working who aren’t from the specific culture, they at least need to know or be educated about the food,” Griizly emphasized. “If they understand the essence of the food, the authenticity can still shine through.”
Griizly, who’s of Nigerian and Vincentian descent, also offered a personal example from his own experiences.
“I’m Nigerian, and I take my jollof rice seriously,” he said. “If it’s not made right, I won’t go near it. So I understand where the person in the original TikTok is coming from, but for me, it’s really about whether they know how to cook and whether they’re educated about the dish.”
What’s Your Opinion?
So, BG Squad, what do you think? Does it matter if the person serving your food is from the same cultural background as the cuisine? Or are you more concerned about the taste and quality of the food itself? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
