What is the primary function of the Zagat Survey in the restaurant industry?

The Zagat Survey primarily compiles consumer comments and rates restaurants, making it a valuable resource for diners looking for insights based on real customer experiences. Zagat gathers opinions from diners about various aspects of their restaurant visit, such as food quality, service, and ambiance, and these insights are then aggregated into a rating system that ranks the establishments. This approach emphasizes the importance of consumer feedback in evaluating restaurants, which often reflects the dining public’s preferences rather than solely relying on professional critics.

The other options focus on different aspects of the culinary industry. Professional food critic reviews, while valuable, represent just one perspective among many voices. Offering cooking classes for chefs or creating food safety certifications does not align with Zagat's mission and practice; their focus is specifically on consumer-driven ratings rather than educational or regulatory functions.