Restaurant owner’s scathing reply to blogger’s ‘collab’ offer

A Melbourne micro-influencer asked to try out a restaurant in exchange for social media posts – and it did not go down well with the owner.

A Melbourne restaurant owner has been left enraged by a micro-influencer’s request to “try out” their restaurant in exchange for Instagram posts.

John Lethlean, who is a food writer for The Australian, shared messages between food blogger Elle Groves, who runs the account Two Teaspooons with friend Annie Knight, and the unnamed restaurant owner to his 23,500 followers.

Ms Groves wrote to the restaurant saying the pair had thought it looked amazing, and offered a collaboration.

“We would love to come try it out in exchange for some stories on our personal accounts, and a post and stories on our food page accounts,” she said.

“Would you guys be interested in doing this collab? If not, we completely understand. We can’t wait to hear from you.”

A micro-influencer wrote to a Melbourne restaurant to offer a collaboration opportunity. Picture: John Lethlean/Instagram

Elle Groves and Annie Knight. Picture: @twoteaspooons/Instagram

The restaurant owner, who Mr Lethlean said shared the messages with him, was less than impressed with the request.

“Hey Elle, apologies for the delay … I’ve been grappling with how much rage to demonstrate/throw in your direction,” they replied.

“I’ve decided to take the high road and explain a few things to you in the hope that you learn something and become a better person.

“Reaching out blind to a venue you know nothing about looking for free stuff is a sh***y enough thing to do at the best of times.

“But it’s even worse when Covid is still very much a thing, affecting small businesses like us devastatingly for two years now.”

The owner went on to explain they had even had to take another job at another venue on their days off to be able to continue to pay staff and rent.

“Many hospitality businesses are still trying to catch up from devastating losses and stresses over the past two years, and we’re certainly one of them,” the owner continued.

The restaurant owner was less than impressed. Picture: John Lethlean/Instagram

The owner shared the messages with a food critic who is known for sharing similar exchanges. Picture: John Lethlean/Instagram

“Maybe give it a year or so and see how the business landscape looks, and see if you can amass enough followers for your ‘collabs’ to actually be of benefit to the venues you approach so naively, instead of them only being of benefit to you,” they said, offering advice “in lieu” of a collaboration.

They finished by saying Ms Groves should pay for food and post anyway to support the industry.

Ms Groves has 4650 followers, Ms Knight has 3920, and their account @twoteaspooons has 1190.

Ms Groves shared her response to the restaurant in a message to Mr Lethlean, that he then shared in part with his followers. She claimed the food critic sharing the original messages was bullying and harassment, and asked for them to be deleted.

In a message, Ms Groves told the owner she appreciated their point of view and perspective, and apologised that her message had upset them.

“We will definitely come for a visit this year to support,” she wrote.

The exchange was shared with the #couscousforcomment hashtag, which features many other similar messages between influencers and businesses owners.

News.com.au has contacted Two Teaspooons for further comment.

Originally published as Restaurant owner’s scathing reply to blogger’s ‘collab’ offer