Writing Food Descriptions

 When evaluating a dish, it's helpful to structure your thoughts using FATT – a straightforward acronym for consistent reviews. This tool ensures your feedback is clear and comprehensive, focusing on key aspects of the food experience.

FATT stands for:

• F = Flavor (or Taste) 😋
• A = Appearance (Presentation/Plate Look) 👀
• T = Texture 👐
• T = Temperature 🔥❄️

Below, we'll explain each element, with tips for writing effective narratives. Good narratives provide specific, descriptive details to make your review informative. Bad narratives are vague or generic, offering little insight. 

F: Flavor 😋

Focus on the taste profile – is it balanced, bold, or lacking? Describe specific elements like sweetness, spiciness, or seasoning.

Pro Tip: Include details about key ingredients or overall balance. Use 2-3 specific descriptors to add depth.

A: Appearance (Plate Presentation) 👀

Evaluate the visual appeal – how is the dish plated? Consider portions, colors, arrangement, and overall attractiveness.

Pro Tip: Note elements like color vibrancy, portion symmetry, and garnishes to convey the first impression.

T: Texture 👐

Assess the mouthfeel – is it crisp, smooth, dry, soggy, or inconsistent? This affects the eating experience.

Pro Tip: Describe contrasts or consistencies, such as "crisp exterior with a soft center," for clarity. A steak with the texture of tapioca pudding is a real problem!

T: Temperature 🔥❄️

Check if the dish is served at the appropriate heat level – hot items should be warm, cold ones chilled.

Pro Tip: Mention consistency (e.g., even warmth) and how it impacts other aspects like flavor.

Examples of Good and Bad Narratives 📖

Here are three pairs of bad and good narratives for different dishes, each incorporating all FATT elements (Flavor, Appearance, Texture, Temperature). For each pair, the bad narrative comes first, followed by the good one. Each pair reviews the exact same dish experience – the good version rewords it with more specific, factual details. 

Example 1: Veggie Bowl

👎️ Bad Narrative: The veggie bowl was fine, I thought it tasted good, looked okay, and wasn't cold.
(Why it's bad: This narrative is vague and lacks specific details, offering no useful insights into the FATT elements.)

👍 Good Narrative: I noticed the dish had fresh herbs that brought out the flavors of the vegetables. The presentation featured a colorful arrangement with even portions across the plate. The texture offered a contrast between the crunch of the vegetables and the softness of the grains. The temperature was warm, which helped maintain the overall freshness of the dish.

Example 2: Pasta Dish

👎️ Bad Narrative: Pasta was alright, kinda tasty, presentation was whatever, chewy enough, and warm I guess.
(Why it's bad: The description uses casual, imprecise language that doesn't provide clear or detailed observations for each FATT aspect.)

👍 Good Narrative: I observed a tomato sauce with a flavor profile that had distinct hints of garlic and basil. The dish's presentation featured spiral noodles arranged neatly and topped with grated cheese and herbs.  The noodles were balanced on the plate.

The texture consisted of pasta cooked to an al dente firmness, evenly coated in a smooth sauce. The dish was served hot, allowing the cheese to melt uniformly across the surface.

Example 3: Chocolate Cake

👎️ Bad Narrative: This cake's flavor was a total disaster – way too sweet and artificial, it looked like a sloppy mess that no one should ever serve, the texture was disgustingly gummy, and it was served at a ridiculous temperature that ruined everything; restaurants need to get their act together!
(Why it's bad: This narrative is overly opinionated, harsh, and judgmental, focusing on strong negative feelings instead of objective facts.)

👍 Good Narrative: I experienced overly sweet chocolate flavor with an artificial aftertaste. The appearance featured uneven frosting layers and irregular slicing. The texture was gummy crumb without defined layers. The temperature was warmer than expected, causing some melting.

Why Use FATT for Reviews 🚀

FATT provides a structured approach to make your reviews consistent and insightful. It helps identify trends across locations, such as consistent texture strengths. Incorporate it into your process for more effective reporting.