Gordon Ramsay pans chefs who ban photos at their restaurants

Trend has led to backlash among traditionalists

While scrolling through your Instagram feed, you’re bound to see at least one of three things: selfies, sunsets and snaps of your friend’s brunch, lunch or dinner. It’s might be what the social network has built its brand on, but that doesn’t mean the food industry is on board — at least, not all of it.

Brothers Michel and Albert Roux, the founders of U.K. restaurant The Waterside Inn, have set up a sign outside the door of their three-Michelin-starred eatery that reads “No photos, please.”

In an interview with The Daily Mail, Michel explained, “Maybe once during the meal, you want to take a little photo of something because it’s unusual. But what about the flavours? A picture on a phone cannot possibly capture the flavours.”

This isn’t the first time chefs have put their foot down. In 2014, Alexandre Gauthier of restaurant Grenouillere in France banded together with other local restaurateurs to campaign against the tweeting or photographing of his food. “Before, they took photos of their family, of their granny — now it’s photos of the dishes,” he moaned.

And in 2008, David Chang established a no-photo policy at his New York City spot Momofuku Ko, while fellow New York chef Daniel Boulud also discouraged it. And sure, you certainly don’t want your food going cold while you’re busy snapping away when, at the Waterside Inn for example, a six-course meal can run you nearly $300.

Gordon Ramsay is no fan of the Roux brothers’ new policy. Commenting on the news, he tweeted, “How bloody pompous! It’s a compliment to the chef the fact that customers want to take a picture of dishes they’ve paid for, it’s 2017 . ... If I see a great looking picture posted, I’ll want to go and eat there immediately, he’s just an old fart who’s forgotten to move on!” He added, “Customers vote with their feet, pictures create huge followers and excite potential business.”

Fortunately, for the moment, chefs banning photographs seem few and far between, and more of a dying breed than a movement, taking a stand at a time when restaurants and bakeries are beginning to cater specifically to those diners who want to share their food on social media — from photogenic ice cream (ie., Sweet Jesus) to “Instagram menus” (ie., Comodo).