Food writing

[D. Scarlatti]

Hey you foodies, who are some of your favorite food writers?

[ms_ann_thrope]

I don't really read about food, except in cookbooks. The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook is my favorite these days.

But you're looking for food porn, aren't you?

[viscousmemories]

livius drusus, of course, and RevDahlia.

[D. Scarlatti]

I'm talking about restaurant reviewers primarily. For example, Joanne Kates, who has been writing in The Globe and Mail for decades.

I have an old friend in Toronto, Don Douloff, who writes for various papers and magazines up there, and is also on the radio, apparently (I haven't seen him in years). When we were in college, he wrote reviews (among other things) for the paper we produced in the journalism program.

He created something of a scandal among the student chefs in the food services program when he reviewed their cafeteria food, referring to "a bacon omelette that would gag a coroner." I never laughed so hard in my life.

They wrote a really angry letter pointing out that there was no bacon omelette on the menu and demanding a retraction, which we published, along with a correction that went something along the lines of, "Last week we referred to a bacon omelette served in the cafeteria 'that would gag a coroner.' The dish in question was actually bacon and eggs. We regret the error."

[viscousmemories]

I figured you were referring to professional restaurant reviewers, but I chose to plug Rev's blog anyway.

I haven't really read any pro reviewers, but I've been thinking of starting the practice myself - as an excuse to try every restaurant in Austin.

[D. Scarlatti]

Yeah, it was RevDahlia's blog that reminded me of the other stuff in the first place. Her pieces are great.

[RevDahlia]

You guys are so sweet.

Topic? MFK Fisher is, of course, the food writing goddess of all time (WH Auden said that she was the best American prose writer ever, even), but I am also very partial to Laurie Colwin and Jeffrey Steingarten (who are about as different as you can get, but great.) I used to like Ruth Reichl until I realized that she is utterly full of shit. Tony Bourdain isn't a food writer in that he doesn't actually write about food so much, but he writes about all the associated stuff and I love him. I also love Nigel Slater. My husband says that Nigel and Tony can come live with us provided they cook once in awhile.

The last word, though, apart from Mary Frances, is Nigella Lawson. That broad can write. Furthermore, she writes about herself and manages not to be at all gloopy, confessional, embarrassing or boring. I want to be her when I grow up, and I can read her cookbooks like novels. Love her.

[D. Scarlatti]

Cool, thanks for the recommendations. And don't remove the profanity from your blog!

[BDS]

My favorite food writers from the last 60 years:

Calvin Trillin and A.J. Liebling. They also wrote well on any number of other topics. Liebling's "The Sweet Science" was named the top sports book of the 20th century in a Sports lllustrated list.

[quiet bear]

About the only thing I've ever read about food (and I didn't know that's what it was going to be mainly about), was 'A Year in Province', by Peter Mayle.

It's a book about him and his wife moving to Province, in France, IIRC, and the adventures they had in remodelling their home.

but, the main jist of the book was the food. He went into great detail about the local cuisine, the local markets and foods and wines and whatnot. I was hungry the whole time I read it. LOL.

[D. Scarlatti]

Originally Posted by D. Scarlatti

RevDahlia's blog

RevDahlia, is this your pic too?

[Listener]

Wot's a restaurant?

[RevDahlia]

Originally Posted by D. Scarlatti

RevDahlia, is this your pic too?

Yup! It's the top of my sturdiest bookcase. I've been fooling around with Vodou iconography lately, in case you couldn't tell.

[D. Scarlatti]

Outstanding. But, Jesus, Camel dead-ends? Who smokes those? That shit'll kill you.

[RevDahlia]

Originally Posted by D. Scarlatti

But, Jesus, Camel dead-ends? Who smokes those?

Erzulie Dantor does! According to every source I could find, anyway. Apparently in Haiti she smokes Comme Il Fauts, but you can't get those here.

It's been an interesting discipline for me as a recent ex-smoker to have cigarettes lying around the house, but oddly enough I don't feel too comfortable stealing from Vodou deities, so we're all safe.

[D. Scarlatti]

Huh. My buddy Dr. Dave is in Haiti right now. I'll have to ask him whether he came across Erzulie Dantor.

[RevDahlia]

Originally Posted by D. Scarlatti

Huh. My buddy Dr. Dave is in Haiti right now. I'll have to ask him whether he came across Erzulie Dantor.

And let me know what he says, please!

[D. Scarlatti]

Nope, no voodoo, just liberation theology (he was with Catholic missionaries, building an outhouse in some village).

He also reports the worst hangover he's ever had. Can't keep up with the priests, apparently.

[RevDahlia]

I just sold a teeny-tiny freelance food piece to the Austin edition of the Onion, for tens of dollars. Have the opportunity to pitch more, too. Small, but a start; am I a real food writer now? Maybe.

[Plant Woman]

Hey, it's a good start! And what fun to write about something you love, plus get paid for it!

[viscousmemories]

Very cool, Rev. Congrats!