In hindsight, I wish I had kept the first twist for Takeaway (turned into ‘Takemeaway.com’) instead of alluding to Islam: the drawing of a Mosque and inscription ‘inchallah.be’ were of bad taste in this context. By doing this, I hoped to shed light on social determinism of people with immigration background in western cities, but also to suggest the illusion of freedom and happiness that promise both religions and app-based, uberized jobs. But still, the parrallel isn’t really relevant and it was clearly not the smartest nor mature way to refer to pp with immigration background. And I truly don’t want to offend anyone. So, enough with blaspheming towards Islam and Catholicism, ‘cause this is not my point.

I’m still thinking of an installation with branded uniforms from food delivery coursiers and their other working tools, like vehicules (scooters, motorbike, bycicle,...), smartphones, earphones, ... but also branded food packagings. I’ve heard and checked last year’s show entitled Strike Now!!², directed by Aram Bartholl, which took place at Panke Gallery (Berlin) and which also dealt with app-based food deivery platforms and, more generally, gig economy. The installation is very inspiring: there were dismantled and unstitched isothermal delivery bags suspended in the air like a crucifix, or lying on the ground like welcoming sofas. In the middle of the room, electric scooters were stretching a branded uniform from Foodora, like it was actually quartering a delivery person’s body. Also, Strike Now!!’s program included life performance with a female coursier riding a bike inside the exhibition space, and talks from scholars who studied the whole subject. 

So, at some point, I thought to myself: What more could I add to this already complete synthesis and critique of this economy?’... Then I realized that, perhaps, what was missing was some testimonies from coursiers, restaurant owners, customers and white collars (like sales managers and companies’ CEO’s) in order to provide a documentary and sociological dimension and approach.

Thus I began interviewing coursiers in Brussels and, so far, did nine filmed interviews during which I usually ask them basic and naive questions like: How is the formation and application ? How are their relations with other coursiers ? with the customers ? with the pp working in the offices/hub/basement ? If they ever had an accident . . . 

From these interviews, I’ve learned that having a contract with Takeaway, or being Deliveroo’s coursier-partner is actually not that simple, since the demand for these jobs is quite high (apparently, it takes between 6 monthes and 1 year to get employed for Takeaway. Same for Deliveroo). Also, to work as a coursier, one must have an updated and recent smartphone that can download riders’ apps. I’ll let you imagine how much money coursiers must spend for mobile internet, performant smarphone and vehicule. Also, a lot of them have either an electric bicycle, a scooter or a motorbike, because a simple bicycle isn’t profitable. If you ride by bike, you’re not fast enough for delivering the food and therefore, you don’t get much deliveries because the algorithms fuck you.

Once, a Bengladeshi coursier from Uber—to whom I introduced myself to by saying I wanted to be a coursier too—told me that I should try with Deliveroo, because I have the Belgian nationality and that Deliveroo prefers to have partnerships with workers born in the same city and not with people with immigration background. Comparatively, Uber Eats and Takeaway don’t discriminate coursiers, depending on their nationality.

As I said above, I’ve also started to interview restaurents’ owners. I ask them since when they collaborate with app-based delivery platforms, how does it work, if they are often in contact with them. But also how is the contact with the coursiers. Usually, I present myself as a journalist student who has to write a short article about the restaurant industry in Brussels since COVID-19 (hihi).

I’ve also applied to become a food delivery coursier for the company Takeaway.com. First, I had to watch a cartoon video formation and then to answer a 13 questions quizz in 2 minutes. Although the questions I was asked made me feel like I was doing a vocabulary test or a ‘are you human’ kinda test, to check if I’m not a bot—I failed twice. I finally succeded and had to answer another series of questions about my age, sexe, school and finally, to write a ‘motivation letter’. Then I had to wait 2 weeks untill I recieved a negative answer through an automated email. 






Two days in a row, I went to Takeaway’s hub in Brussels (which is nearby North Station) to interview the people working in the offices. I also said I was doing journalism studies and that I was writing something on the restauration industry in Brussels since the corona virus. I’m glad I could get an interview with the supervisor (who is about my age, LOL) and could take some pics of the place.

I have to admit that I’m quite fascinated by these places, because they are the headquarters and hidden backstages of what we regularly see on a daily basis in the streets (coursiers delivering food). Both Deliveroo, Takeaway and Uber Eats have a headquarter and offices in each city they operate in. These places are inspiring and challenging to infiltrate.

On YouTube, Takeaway.com has been posting some promotional videos with interviews of riders and coordinators/supervisors. ANd one can have a glimpse of what the Berlin’s hub looks like. Here are some stills of Delivery Talks: meet Niels. 

1. See chapter 7 of Brand Senses, from M. Lindstrom Martin, Free Press, 2005. 
2. https://arambartholl.com/strike-now/ I highly recommend you to read the exhibition brochure if you’re interested in app-based food delivery industry and gig economy.