There are many perks of being a reality star, including free publicity, free clothes and even free plastic surgery.
One of the most common perks is free food, with various celebrities often flocking to eateries across Sydney and Melbourne to score complimentary meals in exchange for Instagram posts.
Melbourne restaurants Fourth Chapter and Legacy Camberwell have become the ultimate go-to spots for reality stars in search of free food.
Free food! Former Bachelor star-turned-influencer Keira Maguire (left) dined at Legacy Camberwell with Miss Universe Australia 2017 Olivia Molly Rogers (right) earlier this month
Instead of paying for meals like regular customers, some stars post an Instagram photo at the restaurant and subsequently get everything for free.
One famous insider told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday just how easy it is to get free food at Legacy Camberwell.
‘It’s great, I get free food at Legacy whenever I want – there’s no limit and I can take anyone with me,’ the source bragged.
Plug: Love Island Australia winner Tayla Damir made sure to tag Fourth Chapter in a food photo shared on Instagram
Free promo: Erin Barnette, who also starred on Love Island Australia, gushed about Legacy Camberwell and told fans it was her ‘new favourite place to eat’
‘Sometimes I feel guilty, so I’ll do two posts on Instagram and Instagram story for more publicity but at the end of the day, they don’t really mind.’
Stars from the likes of Love Island Australia, The Bachelor and even Married At First Sight are often pictured dining at the celebrity hangout in Melbourne’s east.
Despite the glamorous nature of the photos, there can be a rather unglamorous side to promoting restaurants on social media.
Coffee shot: Bachelor In Paradise’s Florence Alexandra shared this glamour shot at the popular eatery
Frustrated: On Tuesday, former Bachelorette Georgia Love issued a public plea on Studio 10 claiming one Melbourne restaurant (not Legacy or Fourth Chapter) still owes her money for ‘paid advertising’
On Tuesday, former Bachelorette Georgia Love issued a public plea on Studio 10 claiming one Melbourne restaurant (not Legacy or Fourth Chapter) still owes her money for ‘paid advertising.’
‘I was asked by a cafe in Melbourne to do some paid advertising for them,’ Georgia said.
Awkward! In August, Married At First Sight’s Dean Wells (right) was caught begging for free food in a leaked email. Pictured left is Tracey Jewel
‘Did so and sent them the invoice and never heard back.’
In August, Married At First Sight’s Dean Wells was caught begging for free food in a leaked email.
He’s a fan too! Firefighter Cameron Cranley travelled all the way from Perth to have his own Legacy Camberwell experience
Sweet tooth: Bachelor In Paradise star Laurina Fleure ordered mouth-watering hotcakes and took her dog along with her
They like it too! Married At First Sight stars Telv Williams (L) and Nick Furphy (R) often dine at the eatery
Impressed: MAFS’ Patrick Miller gushed over the smoothies there
The embarrassing email, which appears to have been sent by a representative on behalf of Dean to an unnamed restaurant, was published on Instagram by The Australian’s restaurant critic John Lethlean.
In a separate incident, one aspiring influencer was overheard begging a Sydney restaurant manager for a free meal last month but was quickly denied.
‘I was pretty embarrassed for [them]. But [they’re] not really famous and doesn’t have that many followers so I’m not surprised,’ an eyewitness sniped.
Healthy: Love Island Australia’s Justin Lacko tucked into some salad at the popular eatery
All you can eat! Love Island Australia’s Eden Dally (left) enjoyed seafood with former Bachelorette contestant Davey Lloyd (right) at Nick’s Restaurant & Bar Group
Grateful: Bachelor In Paradise’s Michael Turnbull scored a basket of fruit and showed off on Instagram
Thai food: MAFS’ Ashley Irvin tagged a Thai restaurant in this food photo
However, one wealthy restaurant owner, whose name has been withheld, told Daily Mail Australia that different factors are taken into consideration when determining who eats for free.
‘[The star] will usually direct message us asking to collaborate,’ the source said.
‘To be honest, it doesn’t matter how many followers they have – it’s all about whether their brand is a good fit.
She’s luvin’ it: Big Brother’s Tully Smyth plugged McDonald’s and Uber Eats in the same post
Bagel fan: Tully also promoted a restaurant in Melbourne’s Hawthorn
Free publicity: Keira tucked into a 24k gold burger in Melbourne’s Camberwell and tagged the restaurant
The source continued: ‘I don’t feel taken advantage of at all because their Instagram posts pay off for us. We’re the place to be right now. It’s hard to measure [but] I’m sure one $20 meal will come back five times… the exposure you get from Instagram is a powerful tool.’
As if getting free food wasn’t enough, the restaurateur said he was once asked to play matchmaker for one celebrity.
‘A lot of the guys would like to meet bubbly models from other shows at my restaurant but that doesn’t happen,’ he laughed.
Promotion: Alex Nation credited Hungry Jack’s for helping during her healing process after an injury