Taking 'food porn' photos in Hong Kong is so popular even the chefs are doing it

Chefs in Hong Kong love their porn. Food porn, that is. While a recent controversy in France highlighted that not all chefs are happy about diners clicking away with their camera phones, cooks here do see some advantages to it.

Even if some chefs do have reservations, it's definitely a habit they are not averse to partaking in themselves. Taking food photos has become so widespread, it's gained its own catchphrase: "camera eats first".

Some chefs are concerned that when a diner Instagrams a dish, it takes control of the image quality out of their hands. But Hong Kong chefs aren't worried about this, as they feel that the practice takes advantage of the free promotional aspects of social media.

They also appreciate that diners share food photos as a way of showing their pleasure or disappointment. As pastry chef Gregoire Michaud, who has worked at top restaurants and hotels for 22 years, says: "Once you're on social media, you don't get to cherry-pick what you want to hear or see."

For some diners, the chef's image is of little concern. Australian foodie Peter Bailey feels free to photograph and share as he pleases. "It's my food to do with as I please. I'll shove it up my backside if I want to," Bailey says.

Some chefs in France have decided to regain control of their image. Alexandre Gauthier, chef at the Grenouillere restaurant in La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil, reportedly said that customers have switched from taking photos of their families to snapping the food, in some cases spending up to 10 minutes taking photos of it and allowing it to go cold.