Former Bachelorette contestant Michael Turnbull is a real “foodie”.
That’s what he’s telling the restaurant he approached yesterday to set up a social media “collaboration”.
Mamamia obtained a copy of a leaked email in which the runner-up from last year’s season of The Bachelorette asked a Brisbane restaurant whether they would be interested in cashing in on his “140 thousand” social media fans.
“I was touching base with you as I have been receiving lots of questions from my followers in relation to my favourite restaurants to dine at around Brisbane,” the email reads. “My followers know I am a bit of a foodie so they are asking me all the time where I like to eat.”
The leaked email continued: "I want to promote only my favourite Brisbane restaurants on my social media accounts for all my fans to see and comment on when I dine there," he said.
In the email, Turnbull reveals that he normally charges $550 for a social media post "however, I'm happy to come to another non-monetary arrangement if you think this is something you are interested in."
Mamamia had a chat with Turnbull about his email, and he says he's not in financial difficulty - nor is he looking for a "non-monetary arrangement" like free food.
"I get looked after at restaurants. If I like the meal, I post a picture," Turnbull told Mamamia. "I'm not asking for payment…Kim Kardashian charges $250,000 per post – I just want to give opportunities."
When asked what he meant by "non-monetary arrangement", Turnbull explained that a non-monetary arrangement is just his way of saying that he doesn't want any money. It's not - definitely not - a request for a free meal:
"I'm not expecting a free meal. I’m happy to tip for great service. I do a lot of community service – I’m the last person to expect a handout."
Clearly Michael's culinary tastes have progressed from the humble cheese toastie (post continues after video):
Why send the email then?
"I’m a big promoter of business, if you provide a good service," Turnbull said.
While he told Mamamia he gets nothing in return for his benevolence to eateries other than a warm glow of supporting a business, the former Bachelorette contestant told news.com.au, that he often gets a free glass of wine.
Mamamia contacted the restaurant who received this email from Turnbull yesterday but they declined to comment. Mamamia understands they thanked Turnbull for his offer but have decided not to "collaborate" with him.
Turnbull is clear that he's not struggling financially since he left the Bachelorette mansion. He says he's enjoyed making the move back to running his two companies (a realestate business and a business that profiles up-and-coming athletes) and doing charity work.
"I’ve worked really hard to get where I am. I’m not asking for a handout."
You can, however, purchase a $57 limited edition bracelet from his website #MychaelSquad (You can check those out here if you're interested.). The aim of the site is to be "a positive place where we come together to inspire, motivate and help each other reach our potential." If you take a picture of yourself wearing the bracelet, you can appear on the #MychaelSquad wall.
To prove his bone fides when it comes to paying for his meals, Turnbull told Mamamia he took his parents to lunch today at Spaghetti House in South Brisbane. They made him a special dish of Smoked Salmon Tagliatelle (which was not on the menu, but they made it specially) and Turnbull enjoyed it so much he tipped generously.
Spaghetti House, you owe Michael Turnbull a glass of wine.
The full text of the email is here:
"I was touching base with you as I have been receiving lots of questions from my followers in relation to my favourite restaurants to dine at around Brisbane. My followers know I am a bit of a foodie so they are asking me all the time where I like to eat.
This got me thinking – I want to promote only my favourite Brisbane restaurants on my social media accounts for all my fans to see and comment on when I dine there.
The reason for me reaching out to you is to see if you would be interested in collaborating together with an arrangement so I could share my dining experiences at your restaurant with my 140,000 fans on social media and on my blog – wwwmychaelsquad.com
I normally charge over $550 per social media post however I’m happy to come to another non-monetary arrangement if you think it’s something you are interested in.
I look forward to chatting and possibly working together with you..."
Top Comments
He is a piece of work!
If you're not looking for money or a free meal, then why not just go on Instagram and say, 'I had a great meal at this place'? Not sure I believe him.