A heated online exchange has erupted between Nigerian food critic Opeyemi Famakin and businessman Cuban Chiefpriest over a recent review of his restaurant in Imo State. The dispute began when Famakin visited the restaurant on September 11, 2024, and posted a review on Instagram, praising the restaurant’s aesthetics but criticizing the pre-made and microwaved pastries.
Initially, Chiefpriest responded graciously, thanking Famakin for his visit. However, the tone shifted when Famakin alleged that Chiefpriest threatened him over the review, sharing screenshots of their conversation. Chiefpriest wrote, “Karma is real, you must pay for whatsoever you sow in life. I don’t fight low life’s, I leave them to karma.”
Famakin expressed fear for his life and announced his intention to leave Imo State, stating, “I Know A Threat When I See One, I guess Its Time To Leave Imo State ASAP. If anything happens to me while I am here, well, you know who to hold.”
Chiefpriest then countered with a different narrative, claiming that Famakin had requested the wait staff to microwave his burgers. He wrote, “You asked them to microwave the burger for you… then you turned around to sit down and now use it for content.”
Famakin vehemently denied the accusations, calling them “lies.” The exchange has sparked a debate about the ethics of food criticism and the boundaries between reviewers and business owners.
The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of food critics and the potential for retribution from businesses unhappy with negative reviews.
