Say It To My Face

Say It To My Face is a gripping, informative reality show that first aired in 2015 on the FYI network. The show offers a unique twist on the typical foodie television program by emphasizing not just the culinary experience, but also the digital realm, specifically online critic reviews which have a substantial impact on restaurants nowadays. In 15 exciting, hour-long episodes, the series takes you on a journey that accentuates the power of social media and online reviewers in today's digital age, and how it influences the world of food and hospitality.

The concept revolves around restaurant owners who have been wrongfully criticized online, given a chance to redress the balance and re-establish their reputation. These establishments often have fallen victim to harsh online criticisms that potentially hinder their success. Social media platforms, online blogs, and review sites are rife with unfiltered critiques, many of which are genuine, yet some are exaggerated or overly subjective. The detrimental impacts of such unchecked and perhaps misguided reviews can be devastating for as much as the involved small businesses or ambitious restaurateurs.

Hosting this transformative show are Andrew Gruel and Anthony Dispensa, seasoned chefs and culinary experts with an extensive history in the restaurant business. Gruel, best known as the founder of Slapfish—a modern seafood restaurant—provides the restaurateurs with tips to improve their offerings and overall customer experience based on his experience in the industry. Dispensa, a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, echoes these efforts, offering his culinary expertise to reshape and refashion their menu items to reflect taste and market trends.

The hosts confront the restauranteurs with negative online reviews and then step in to reconstruct their business from the ground up. The core of the show focuses on rehabilitating restaurants that have been maligned online. They critique the restaurant’s food, service, and atmosphere, taking the hurtful online reviews head-on, hence the title - "Say It To My Face." However, beyond the confrontations lie the invaluable lessons and transformations.

One of the unique aspects of Say It To My Face is the participation of the online critics. The hosts, after revamping the restaurant, invite the original online critics back to the restaurant. This gives the critique authors a chance to reevaluate and experience firsthand the changes made to the restaurant's food, service, and overall atmosphere. As a result, the show does not demonize online reviewers but brings them into a more balanced conversation to resolve issues constructively.

While much of the series does focus on delivering hard truths and realities to the restaurant owners and managers, the aim isn't to berate or humiliate them. Instead, it is about making improvements and embracing change. The hosts work hard to ensure that the weaknesses identified from the online reviews are turned into strengths, providing comprehensive solutions that range from food preparation to menu selection, and even customer service.

Amid the drama and tension, the show manages to be both informative and entertaining, combining doses of reality-restaurant-rescue-show with the interpersonal dynamism of real people addressing their issues. It underlines the reform of businesses to enhance the customer experience while pointing out the influence (both positive and negative) of virtual opinions in today's net-savvy society.

Say It To My Face is not just a reality show aimed at entertainment; it is a platform that bridges the gap between digital reviews and real-life experiences. The show unpacks a few layers deep into the acclaimed restaurants and their behind-the-door operations. It shines a light on the significant role that social media and digital space play in the food and restaurant industry in this dynamic digital age.

Whether you are a fervent foodie, a restaurant owner, an online critic, or just a viewer raring for some reality-drama flavor mixed with practical entrepreneurship insights, Say It To My Face is a robust, thoughtful, and hearty show worth sinking your teeth into. Its unique concept of fusing the culinary world with digital critique gives viewers a hook that holds their attention and a storyline to root for. It draws no line between professionals and amateurs, both in the kitchen and online, ultimately, celebrating the spirit of improvement, learning, and the satisfying art of cuisine.