And the saga continues…
The restaurant issued their press statement. For those who can’t view the pdf file, I copied and pasted for your easy reading.
Press Statement – 24th Aug 2010
Immediate Release
Private Affairs, Singapore – This is a formal statement in response to the article by Yahoo News Singapore, “Food blogger who demands free meal sparks outrage online”. This statement represents strictly the views and stands from the Private Affairs management (hereinafter referred to as “We”)
As we were made aware by the unexpected said incident occurred at our Sunday Brunch on last Sunday, 22nd Aug 2010, we did not expect this unfortunate episode to spark into a fiery debate within the local food blogging community and eventually led to the attention of our local media.
Nevertheless, we sincerely thank each and every individual, who have showed concerns and expressed valuable opinions relating to this incident.
Despite the unexpected publicity from this incident, we have no intentions to exploit this incident for the fame of any individual/s or property involved as suggested in some comments; therefore, it is critical, we want to make an official statement and clarifications with regards to this matter before it escalates into potential repercussions that may affect our restaurants’ credibility or cause any further unnecessary unhappiness or discontent to any parties involved
The candid remarks and unacceptable responses from the said blogger were certainly uncalled for. We were not impressed by his behaviour, action and mannerism.Private Affairs, a 40-seater restaurant serving Modern European cuisine with Asian touches, is a quaint gem that has caught the attention of many food lovers. Our little success was the credit of various media coverage since its opening in October 2009.
We have always extended media tasting invitation to avid food bloggers based on recommendations of reliable sources. We embraced food blogging and believe there is a certain extent of social integrity, moral and professionalism inculcated in every blogger.
However, we also want to highlight, the food blogs about Private Affairs are based on individual blogger’s real experience and is not in any way altered or influenced by Private Affairs. The food bloggers were clear and transparent in stating that their gastronomy adventures were invited sessions.
We hope this incident does not discourage the food blogger community to pursue their passion in food blogging. We feel that there is a lot of integrity and clout in this community and we can bring our similar passion which is great food to the people. We will continue to support and promote the spirit behind the passion of food writing and sharing with food lovers.
More importantly, we want to take this opportunity to suggest a possible formation of a governing body or an association/society, which cultivates and promotes the appropriate manner of blogging and blogger’s etiquette. There should be some guidelines and policies implemented to avoid any similar incidents from occurring again.
Regards,
The Management and Staff of Private Affairs Kitchen & Bar
People were asking me on what’s my PR take over the whole press release? To me?
Just bloody hell say its a miscommunication/misunderstanding between both parties, admit that it was a genuine mistake, played the “bigger man” card and move on lah!
Hey, if you wanna be showy, even take a picture with the food blogger at another food tasting/makan session and show that all is good and forgiven.
Like I said, bigger man card. But that’s just my take. What’s yours?
srsly what is this press release ? It seems to me like they didnt even clarify anything at ALL.. tsk
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nadnut Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
The press release does seem rather lacking in substantial information.
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I’m quite confused… what is this press release for?
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Daphne Maia Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 10:04 am
it’s for them to say.. okay f-off this is none of my fault. it’s him! he did it!! not me!!1 😛
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nadnut Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
It does seem that way isn’t it?
What a pity, I would have spun a different angle if it was me.
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nadnut Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
No idea.
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The blogger so guai lan, choose a date/time/no of guests to turn up and did not check whether the other 2 guests can eat for free, was rude and threw the card on the table, if you are the restaurant manager, or owner for that matter, will you bend over and invite him back again?
According to several reports, this isn’t the first time that the blogger clashed with restaurants.
I think that guy is just attitude to start with. The restaurant just happened to invite the wrong man.
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wen Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
oh really?
according to WHICH reports? written by who?
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nadnut Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I’m very intrigued by his statement too.
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nadnut Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Perhaps you’ll like to shed some light on the other reports?
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Aiya jus cos is ur friend you side. U all Nuffnang bloogers all think they big fuck got a cb blog so must get free shit.
Onli xiaxue can haolian rest of u all can go fly kite
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nadnut Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
He isn’t my friend. I hardly know him. If I were to side him, you’ll see a blogger’s take instead.
Cb blog? I got cb mah. Then what? I write a lanjiao blog meh?
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Ivy Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
HAHAHAAHAHAHAHHA! Nadia 1 – plslor 0
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nadnut Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Maybe he was expecting a girl to write a lanjiao blog. I dunno.
this is disgusting. the press statement, i mean. they’re not admitting their mistakes, and instead, they’re pushing the blame saying “The candid remarks and unacceptable responses from the said blogger were certainly uncalled for. We were not impressed by his behaviour, action and mannerism.”
…. and their ‘behaviour, action and mannerism’ of including Glenn Lee of HungryEpicurean was right? i’m sorry i still have to nitpick but Glenn shouldn’t have been dragged into the picture by P.A. … i know he’s apologized and all that, but at least P.A. should apologize for what they did wrong – for carrying false tales to another member of the food bloggers’ group.
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nadnut Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
In every situation, clarifications should be made to prevent misunderstandings.
After Ladyironchef’s apology on his behaviour, Private Affairs could have just acknowledged, smiled graciously, played the bigger man card and say “let’s move on”.
Sometimes in a “fight”, you should know when to give in and when to give up.
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The point of it is so that we know that Private Affairs is a 40-seater restaurant serving Modern European cuisine with Asian touches.
And is of course a quaint gem
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nadnut Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
HAHAHA! I found that damn funny actually.
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I think both sides got fault lah. Not just ladyironchef.
The restaurant PR was too vague with their invitation and did not clarify all details beforehand, and he assumed too much. Losing your cool at the venue itself is not a very classy thing to do, to be frank. Doing it when you are a full-paying customer is one thing, but when you are supposedly media… then a bit the what lor.
A lot of the booboos could have been avoided, but one thing led to another… I was quite miffed at the so-called press statement from the restaurant though. If they want to self-praise so much, I’d rather they didn’t. Now it really left a bad taste in my mouth lo.
Why I gave ladyironchef the benefit of the doubt is because of how the whole expose article was written in the first place. It seemed awfully sensationalised and biased, so I guess as somebody who didn’t know him personally, I would like to hear his side of the story before I decide who to bomb lor. HAHHAH!
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nadnut Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Damn silly. They could have pulled a gahmen response of “It’s a honest mistake, let’s move on” instead.
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barffie Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Yah. Maybe the hoohaa won’t drag on for so long.
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nadnut Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
PR girl needs training.
nais!!
too cheap to even host another event as peace offering.
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nadnut Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Not too sure if they are too cheap but they probably did not look at it from a macro pov.
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well done plslor… keep up the personal attacks and show just how classy you are.
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nadnut Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Hahahaa. Expected to have such comments lah.
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It’s so ridiculous for them to suggest a formation of a governing body for blogging etiquette!!! They might as well go form an association of companies that wants to engage bloggers to teach THEM some etiquette!!! The guidelines and policies
One of the etiquette that they should practise, first and foremost, is not to lie!
“The candid remarks and unacceptable responses from the said blogger were certainly uncalled for. We were not impressed by his behaviour, action and mannerism.”
He said, she said. Some how I’m more inclined to believe ladyironchef more. Just because my friend has dine with him before and he has paid for food. So it makes no sense for him to make such a comment.
You don’t impress us too, Private Affairs.
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nadnut Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Agreed. Instead of giving such remarks/suggestions, they should concentrate on their public relations.
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“Private Affairs, a 40-seater restaurant serving Modern European cuisine with Asian touches, is a quaint gem that has caught the attention of many food lovers. Our little success was the credit of various media coverage since its opening in October 2009.”
Are they rectifying what has happened or r they just merely promoting their Restaurant once again?
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nadnut Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
There definitely was no rectifications made.
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