Thank you for volunteering your judging services!
Please take the time to carefully read your way to the bottom of the page. There, you will find a link to the official judging form (Google form).
The Rules
To ensure rating accuracy, we have set out a few easy-to-follow rules for all judges. These should be considered hard rules, not suggestions. As such, please read carefully and make sure to follow each of the following rules when filling out the ratings form.
If you have not visited an eatery since June 2024, please enter n/a for the establishment at question.
If you have a close personal or professional connection to an establishment, or happen to own said restaurant, please enter n/a for the establishment at question.
If you went to an establishment for a soft launch, a one-off event, or by special invitation, please exclude that visit from your rating of that establishment.
Please do not use the 50 Best platform to reward friends or punish enemies. This IS NOT what the Curated brand is about.
Criteria
There are no fixed criteria for the 50 Best Places to Eat Program. Instead, what we are looking for are ratings based the expectations of a given dining category.
As an example, Morris East Pizzeria & Slice Shop is a pizzeria. Thus, it should only be rated based on what you would expect from a pizzeria (or maybe a family-friendly restaurant). It SHOULD NOT be rated in comparison with other establishments in different categories such as fine dining (Gio), tasting menu dinners (Lupin Dining & Pantry), cocktail bars (Highwayman), beer bars (Stillwell), Korean BBQ joints (Seao’s Chicken), etc.
Ratings Scale
To help us ensure accuracy, please use the ratings table (below) in conjunction with the Google judging form.
N/A - NOT APPLICABLE
No score is given.
10 - PERFECT
Theoretically possible, but EXTREMELY unlikely.
9.5 - EXCELLENT
A super high score reserved for small number of uncommonly exceptional dining experiences. This is the upper echelon of local dining.
9.0 - ALMOST EXCELLENT
Between excellent and very good. This is besties list territory.
8.5 - VERY GOOD
A high score reserved for experiences good enough to make recommendations to friends and family.
8.0 - ALMOST VERY GOOD
Between very good and good. Worth another look.
7.5 - GOOD
An overall positive experience, but not one resulting in a recommendation to others. You might go back, but probably not.
7.0 - ALMOST GOOD
Between good and average. There is little chance you will go back to that establishment again.
6.5 - AVERAGE
An uninspiring experience. There is no chance you will go back to that establishment again.
5.5 - BAD
Your experience was unacceptable and you are never going back to that establishment ever again.
4.5 (or less) - TERRIBLE
Your experience was downright awful. You feel violated, almost.