Issaquah Olympic Curler's Food Vlogs Go Viral

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Ben Richardson, an Olympic curler from Issaquah, Washington, has gained a large social media following for his Instagram Reels reviewing the food being served in the dining hall at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Richardson, who was previously a concert cellist, has been posting short reviews and ratings of the meals, with his videos gaining tens of thousands of likes and hundreds of thousands of views.

Why it matters

Richardson's food reviews have captured the attention of the official Olympics social media team, highlighting how athletes are using social media to connect with fans and share their experiences at the Games. His transition from concert cellist to Olympic curler to social media food critic also showcases the diverse talents and interests of today's Olympians.

The details

In his first review, Richardson scored the pizza an 8 out of 10. He has since reviewed other dishes like pasta, a cappuccino, a waffle, a Valentine's Day cake, and ravioli, with the seafood lasagna receiving an 8.7/10 rating. Richardson, a four-time National Junior Curling Champion, joined Team Casper in 2022 after attending Skyline High School in Issaquah.

• Richardson posted his first food review video in February 2026 during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
• From 2017 to 2020, Richardson won four National Junior Curling Championships.

What’s next

Richardson plans to continue posting food reviews throughout the remainder of the 2026 Winter Olympics.