Scottish student explores 'foodstagramming' phenomenon

We're hearing how "foodstagramming" is changing the restaurant industry.

Aberdeen PhD student Vegas Dyce has been studying the phenomenon - as more and more us join in the trend of taking a photo of our food and posting it on social media before tucking in.

Vegas’ doctoral research focuses on the social phenomenon and how it impacts the hospitality sector.

She says it’s something she’s guilty of: “Every time I’ve gone to dinner I’ve taken out my phone and taken photos of my food, it’s something my dad’s always hated. He’s like, why are you taking a photo of your sandwich right now?”

She's now researching why foodstagramming has become second nature to so many young people: “They don’t know it it’s detracting from their experience or not they’ve said they love doing it, it not pride, but they wonder is it taking them away from their friends. Is it taking away from that living in the moment aspect?”

And she’s found it's putting big pressure on businesses to make sure their food and venues look good enough to go viral on social media: “It’s no longer just about taking photos of the food, it’s about - as soon as that customer walks in, what can they post a photo of, is it a flower wall or is it the instagrammable bathroom?”.