Interview. Toulouse. He spends his time “unmasking” the restaurants: but who is the Masked Eater?
By Gabriel Kenedi
Published on
This is the question that agitates social networks in the small world of gastronomy in Toulouse: but who is hiding behind the Masked Eater ?
This account instagram en vogue strives to unmask with talent the (many) new restaurants in the Pink City and its latest gastronomic trends. Exclusively for Toulouse News, the Masked Eater – who describes himself as a “man in his fifties flourishing and assumed” – has therefore agreed to lend himself to the game of questions and answers and to reveal himself a little… while keeping a part of mystery! The opportunity to also discover that the Masked Eater is not lacking in humor or projects. Interview.
“It feels like I spend my life in restaurants… that’s not true! »
News: People want to know: but who is the masked eater? What can you tell us about yourself?
The Masked Eater: “The masked eater is someone who likes to eat well and who is very curious! This account was born out of frustration and a desire: at the beginning, when I went to the restaurant not masked and looked at the reviews on I had a hard time finding my way around the Internet and above all I always saw the same restaurants mentioned.However, I saw lots of restaurants with various styles… As I am curious and greedy, I got caught up in the game. , cooking is part of my daily life. And since I often go out with my friends, my family or my loved ones, I wanted to share it a little more broadly with people! In fact, it’s At first, this account was really a way for me to have fun. But for the past year, I’ve been trying to do things right and invest myself properly. My leitmotif is that it has to remain a fun. I never force myself to go and try a restaurant! I really let myself be guided by my desires. So it’s true, it seems that I pass my life at the restaurant… which is not always true!”
Your account existed even before the Covid pandemic. How did you come up with the idea of the mask, of anonymity?
MM: “Why masked? I find it more interesting to highlight the content rather than the person, however interesting it may be, at a time when everyone shows up everywhere, especially on the networks. And then, it creates a little mystery who is nice and who allows me to walk quietly in the street without being called out to me. I find that very good. I also have my private life and I want to protect it. I believe that it is Patrick Bruel who said that in 1982, I make his quote mine! (laughs)”.
“If I don’t like it, I say so, but I always argue! »
What happens when you unmask a new address?
MM: “I walk around my city, I spot new openings, and frankly, it doesn’t stop in Toulouse! And when I’m interested, I go to a restaurant, most often with friends because it’s a moment of Once there, we eat, I take pictures and then I give my opinion. I don’t like it, I also say it, always arguing. I think that people from Toulouse, who are very curious to discover new things, like the sincerity behind this account. It’s not done in a way mean, but it’s sincere. If I don’t like it, I say so, and it’s true that it’s something you don’t see too much on social networks where everything is a bit police.”
Are you sometimes rewarded or invited by restaurants?
MM: “I am not paid! My banker also sees the extent of the shipwreck and does not understand why I go to the restaurant so much! As for the invitation side, it is a little biased I find, since we are presented with the dish in a better light, in order to take beautiful photos… Me, I am an ordinary customer. I go to the restaurant above all to treat myself and have a good time. So for sure, I receive a lot of invitations but my concept means that I can’t respond favorably to it. It’s a bit unfortunate by the way, because if I did that, I would really spend my life in restaurants, which is kind of the ideal life!”
Soon a treasure hunt!
What have been your favorites in recent months?
MM: “The current trend is around sandwiches. There are a lot of sandwich spots opening up and you have to do a little sorting. But my big favorite at the moment is Mantesino, an Italian restaurant , which is a cuisine dear to my heart. The cook is of Neapolitan origin, the products are noble, it’s very well done! And above all the value for money is very attractive, which is more and more complicated in Toulouse , where restaurants have increased their prices for a whole host of reasons. There is also “Superette”, in Saint-Cyprien, which offers great smash-burgers. You only eat them there in Toulouse It’s crazy! Otherwise, this summer, we were in a period when everyone wanted to make their guinguette! We don’t always find ourselves there in terms of quality or price, but the one that was at the Bazacle, Turbine, I found it very good”.
What are your next projects ?
MM: “It’s about continuing to have fun and sharing what I do with everyone! I’m going to make products in collaboration with restaurants that I really like. There’s a Cuban kebab in particular that’s coming to Boui Boui Kebab, the “Cubab”, which is labeled Masked Eater! It’s a way of making people discover things that are a little different and that I really want to eat. And I can’t reveal everything yet, but I I’m going to organize a kind of treasure hunt soon. People will have to walk around Toulouse and unmask the restaurants where the Masked Eater went. How? I’m planning the surprise! The idea is really that people walk around Toulouse and that they win something. Me, I have nothing to gain from it. I have no relationship with restaurants except through Instagram messages. And I find it great that restaurants like the quirky side of the account and All I can say is it’s gonna be fun and cool and it’s gonna happen er d years the next few weeks. There will be great things to win!”
But by the way, is the Masked Eater already unmasked?
MM: “People are trying to unmask me and are investigating on Insta! But so far, knock on wood, I haven’t been unmasked, neither by people nor by restaurants! But that’s also part of the game. All I can say is that I’m a man, in my blooming and confident thirties. The masked side breaks down the barriers a bit, allows me to have great exchanges with those who watch me and who react I hope it will last for a long time in this spirit!
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