There's no doubt that I'm a HUGE fan of Ruch Reichl. This former LA Times and New York Times food critic, and current EIC at Gourmet is a heroine in her own right. She's got a kick ass palate and a sincere love of food that shines through brightly. I'm not ashamed to admit that she's the reason I subscribe to Gourmet (although I probably should be). As you can tell, I'm a bit of a stalker fan.
I got the chance to see her speak at the LA Public Library while I was in culinary school and have been hooked ever since. Here is an article I wrote about that Ruth Reichl speaking engagement which first published in the CSCA Newsletter. Hope they don't mind if I publish it again.
Ruth Reichl: Critic in Disguise
Thank God for the Council of the Library Foundation that hosts the “Aloud” speaker series at Downtown’s Central Library. Ruch Reichl, Editor-in-Chief of Gourmet Magazine, and food critic for the New York Times graced the stage to share juicy tidbits of her latest memoir Garlic and Sapphires: the Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise.
Upon discovering that New Yorkers were “studying” her and forking over cash for info on where she was eating next, Reichl decides to team up with a former acting coach/family friend to concoct elaborate personas to review restaurants under the radar. Her searing double review of posh Le Cirque uncovered eloquent service she received as Ruth, and disdainful handling she experienced as Molly, set the New York restaurant world aflame and birthed a myriad of characters Reichl profiles in her book. Eloquent and delicious to read, Reichl’s affable personality is apparent throughout, making it an enjoyable read. And live, she is more delightful.
Not only interested in selling books, Reichl expounded upon fine dining morality, disapproving of what she does because it’s obscene to spend this kind of money on food, and the danger of becoming a two-tiered food system where the poor are relegated to over processed “terribly played with food”. Reichl urges audiences to bravely invite others over to eat, where there is a generosity and openness to letting strangers see your kids acting up, bad taste in art, or dishes in the sink over dinner.
Isn’t that what life’s all about?
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