I take Media Passes to wine events without a second thought.

As I live in Asheville, I'd be happy to help you verify the letter or any information the letter contains, if you need any help.

Part of the skill required in writing a review is to separate the raw experience from its value proposition.

You've eaten food in restaurants. You know what sort of service and quality you expect at a given price point. If Ashville wants to pay for you to eat good food, do it. Just remember to ask yourself if you'd go back, if it were on your dime.

Heh, well I'm from Asheville originally (I know Cris) so that's part of the reason I'm willing to share my two cents.

But I have to ask - How much of it is a wine and dine vs just come to the area and experience our food. It ties with your comment about ethics.

If this was something like the Chamber of Commerce production and you have freedom to go where you want on an "allowance", that's something which allows you to be your own voice. And while I'd hate to see the city grow more, it's hard to say no to tourism dollars.

Then there is the other hand. The offer comes from a restaurant trade organization or .... family (many styles of cooking with one primary owner) and you are required to only visit their locations. That would make it more of a shill request. Which is okay, as long as that was clear in any reviews you do. Given what I read here I'm not worried about that being hidden.

Personally I'm a bit of a Jack. I'd take the money and write what I felt like. Only problem with that attitude is I'd never get invited anywhere again.

How's that for a non committal answer? Sorry about that. Good Luck on your decision.

If there are no 'strings' attached, I say go and have a good time. Maybe someone suggested you would give a fair evaluation.

I'd say take the trip. A friend of mine is in the publishing business. He sits on the other side of this debate all the time. They send finished or near-finished manuscripts to people they would like cover- or catalog-quotes from. Some are happy to provide quotes, some write back that the book sucked. Some just write "thank you but I don't have the time to read this now" and some just don't even acknowledge that they received the book.

Another approach to take: Take the trip *personal motto - free is good! Free food - very good!* and if you feel obligated later, write something. Then step back and look at the trip and the writing. Your only "obligation" is to the AH. If you feel they were blowing smoke up your rear about the restaurants and town all week(end), or if you feel like you are somehow hurting your product by allowing it to be controlled by someone/thing that is essentially looking for free advertising, either don't post it or post it with a "I was lead around on a chain and don't feel this was an accurate representation of the area, so don't consider it an endorsement..." warning.

Regardless of your experience there, the qualities that make you popular with your readers, and sought after by your Asheville hosts (candor, courage, good writing, etc.), are ones you will take with you when you visit and when (or if, but I think when) you write. Your hosts are banking on that very thing. I think you should explore a new cuisine, a new area, and write about your experience as you normally would, whatever that ends up being.

Go for it. Be yourself. If they sent you this offer then they should have been reading your blog and know your style and ideals. Am looking forward future to good reading whatever stance you take.

This is a tough call without knowing how close the source of the funds is to the places you'll be visiting. So I won't vote but will put in my two cents (surprised?)

If it's a C of C or industry group, then probably it's not too much of a problem (others will disagree -- a lot depends on where you feel you and AH lie on the journalistic spectrum.) Be sure to note who paid for the trip when/if you do write your reviews.

If it's a company flying you out to look at only their own restaurants, then ethically it's a bad idea. I'll spare the reasoning here but this situation resembles a very big no-no situation that comes up in my biz all the time. And you know we all trust your opinion but how much do you trust yourself? Would you be second-guessing your own review, even being overcritical to compensate for the appearance of a conflict? Doubts like that keep honest people up at night, and they're no fun. Plus you'd risk credibility among new readers, who might not trust you as much as your regulars.

So, trade group junket or similar, probably okay (though you still have to disclose if you write.) Restaurant owner/holding corp, probably not, maybe with one exception -- if you tell them you'll only use the visit for education and networking and insist you absolutely won't write about them. If that's your intention it'd be most fair to tell them that up front.

Good luck with your dilemma (it's a nice problem to have.)

If I thought for a minute you didn't understand journalistic ethics, or you felt a destination/restaurant/place was not something you and your readers would find interesting and informative, I would say don't take the trip.

But I don't think that, so I won't say that. You should go if you feel it would be something fitting to your editorial mission and would feel comfortable with the agenda.

Media fam trips are fun!! :)

The important thing to keep in mind is that in Asheville, there should be (a) lots of barbecue and (b) good barbecue. Take the trip.

Asheville is a nice place. There's some great regional food specialties that you do not get in the Pacific NW. You should go. If only to experience some local cuisine that seems to be vanishing across the country as chains take over.