Foodie Gurus
Become a trusted local voice for food
The Foodie Gurus program recognises people who genuinely know their local food scene and help others find it. Gurus get a public profile, a referral identity, and tools for sharing Local Foodies with their community.
What is a Foodie Guru?
A Foodie Guru is an approved local voice for food. Gurus are not Local Foodies staff and do not decide what appears on the site. They highlight restaurants, markets, caterers, events, and the wider local food community — the same independent businesses Local Foodies exists to make easier to find. We created the program because local recommendations travel further, and more honestly, than advertising does.
Who it's for
- Local food enthusiasts who eat and explore across Waterloo Region
- Creators and reviewers who already post about food
- Community voices who champion independent businesses
- Local publishers and media, where it fits their editorial rules
How it works
Step 1
Apply
Tell us who you are, where you eat, and where you post. There is one application per Local Foodies account.
Step 2
Get reviewed
A real person reviews every application against the program terms. We may ask follow-up questions.
Step 3
Get approved
Approved Gurus receive Guru access and a referral identity — a personal referral code that stays the same.
Step 4
Share Local Foodies
Use the Guru share workspace to share listings, events, and guides with your community.
What Gurus can do
- Share Local Foodies listings, events, and content.
- Use tracked Guru referral links, so visits that arrive through you are credited to your referral code.
- Access the Guru dashboard for their profile and activity.
- Access the Guru share workspace for ready-made links and share copy.
- Take part in referral opportunities where one is specifically offered.
Being a Guru is a recognition program. Rewards or commissions exist only where they are specifically offered to you in writing, and they are not guaranteed.
Guru vs Affiliate
Affiliates
Affiliates primarily refer businesses to Local Foodies under the Affiliate Program.
Foodie Gurus
Gurus are approved local voices who promote Local Foodies to the wider community, and may also take part in referral activity.
Program rules
- Disclose the relationship
- When you share a tracked Guru link, make it clear you take part in the Local Foodies Guru program, as required in your region and on each platform.
- No spam
- No bulk messaging, comment spam, paid traffic schemes, or posting your link where it is not welcome.
- No fake accounts or self-referrals
- One Guru identity per person. Referring yourself, or accounts you control, is not eligible activity.
- Branding
- Describe yourself as a Local Foodies Foodie Guru. Do not present yourself as an employee, or speak on behalf of Local Foodies.
- Approval and suspension
- Guru status is granted by review and can be suspended or reactivated if the program terms are not followed. Suspended Gurus can see their status from the Guru dashboard.
The full Foodie Guru Program Terms apply to every application and approved Guru.
Already an Affiliate?
You can apply to become a Foodie Guru using the same Local Foodies account — no second account, profile, or referral identity is created.
Ready to take part?
Applications are reviewed by a real person, usually within a few days.