Oh, hello!
My name is Liam Collens, and I am a restaurant critic, food and travel writer. I am not an influencer.
I write about experiences, culture, guides, restaurants, events, hotels and more. I am delighted to talk to you about those opportunities. I firmly believe that criticism and unique storytelling are very much needed now more than ever in a world of influencers and surreptitious advertising. I also appear on radio shows or podcasts in addition to writing.
Readers, customers and the public deserve fair, honest and detailed reviews that entertain and inform.
I’m a veracious writer with a voracious appetite.
In a critic’s capacity, not all things are equal. “All-inclusives” vs. Airbnb rentals. The bustle of the local fried chicken shop vs. the slow romance of fine-dining and tasting menus; from Michelin stars and a World’s 50-something restaurant to the midnight chaat spot tucked behind a shop, not all places are equal, but they all deserve veracious writing.
This is the nature of food and travel. My assessment criteria focuses on quality, technical skill, impact, location, a concept’s originality and value for money. I assess a proposition’s merits and draw parallels to similar offerings, such as comp-sets and peer groups. This means you will find high praise for the simplest sardines on toast or crashing disappointment in degustations—and vice versa. You will see me wax lyrical about private boat tours or hostel adventures.
Where can you find me…
At a high level, please find below my publishing, appearance and press history:
Publications
Founder & Editor, EatGoSee
Vogue Arabia, Contributing Writer
FACT Magazines (Dubai, Saudi Arabia and London), Contributing Writer
Uncredited “staff writer” for various publications
Media and Podcasts
DubaiEye 103.8FM
Press Trips
Bangkok Press Trip, 2024
Cairo Food Week Press Trip 2024
Brunico / Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler Press Trip, 2024
Inja Restaurant & New Delhi, India, 2023
Raffles Doha, Qatar, 2023
Qasr Al Sarab Resort by Anantara, Abu Dhabi, 2023
Ein Prosit, Udine, Italy, 2022
Other
Judge for various regional and international awards
Writer of the Menu Foreword for Tresind Studio’s Rising India menu (Tresind Studio, the world’s first three Michelin-starred Indian restaurant).
On the personal side…
Born in the Caribbean and educated in the UK, I have been a UAE resident for over ten years. I am a passionate traveller, having touched down in 60+ countries, frequently jetsetting for unique dining and hospitality experiences with a penchant for the Middle East, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
I am investing more time in studying wine. I hold a WSET Level 2 Pass with Distinction. Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo and Riesling are currently my favourite grape varieties.
I am also a lawyer with nearly 20 years of professional legal experience. I have a wife, a son, three cats and a dog—all rescues (not the wife and child, mind).
About EatGoSee
I launched the website EatGoSee in 2019 after starting it on social media in 2017. I edit and write for EatGoSee.
For EatGoSee, I occasionally receive invites where a meal, a stay, or a press trip is complimentary. Still, I will always mark this as #invite in reviews or social media posts in the interest of transparency. For other publications, I follow the editorial policy and guidelines of those publications, as required.
If you are interested in writing for EatGoSee.
There is plenty of room for creative, aspiring voices in food and travel writing. I am more than happy to receive pitches from those of you who would like to write and have the opportunity to write on a platform. Please get in touch with me here with your proposal, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Contact me.
You can email me here. You can also find me on social media via my handle @itsliamcollens on Instagram, Threads, Facebook, TikTok. I have X/Twitter, but I never use it. I am also on LinkedIn and Vivino.
Private feedback
I am delighted to discuss opportunities to consult with your business to provide direct, actionable feedback. The goal is to give you constructive, actionable feedback. The goal is to highlight what works, what needs help, what should be reconsidered and identify opportunities missed.
