Comments on: The Best Job in the World: Restaurant Critic http://www.circleoffood.com/blog/2007/04/27/food-writer-restaurant-critic/ Pull Up a Seat and Join the Conversation at Circle of Food Blog. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:28:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Rita Connelly http://www.circleoffood.com/blog/2007/04/27/food-writer-restaurant-critic/#comment-842 Rita Connelly Mon, 30 Apr 2007 04:12:40 +0000 http://www.circleoffood.com/blog/2007/04/27/food-writer-restaurant-critic/#comment-842 Sammie, First, let me say I didn't start out to be a restuarant reviewer, but I always wanted to be a writer. And after a lot of hard work and a pile of rejections finally got several things published, including a guide book to Tucson. I got my job because there was an opening for the position. It was advertised and we were asked to send a sample review, which I did along with some copies of my work. I had a pretty extensive knowledge of food, not just from cooking, but through dining, travel, reading and studying as well. But I think it was the writing skills that got me the job. So I guess the best way to get started is to write. Do some homework about the writing life; it isn't easy getting published. Take some writing classes. And then write and write somemore. And try and learn as much as you can about food any way you can. Good luck, Rita Sammie,

First, let me say I didn’t start out to be a restuarant reviewer, but I always wanted to be a writer. And after a lot of hard work and a pile of rejections finally got several things published, including a guide book to Tucson.

I got my job because there was an opening for the position. It was advertised and we were asked to send a sample review, which I did along with some copies of my work.

I had a pretty extensive knowledge of food, not just from cooking, but through dining, travel, reading and studying as well. But I think it was the writing skills that got me the job.

So I guess the best way to get started is to write. Do some homework about the writing life; it isn’t easy getting published. Take some writing classes. And then write and write somemore. And try and learn as much as you can about food any way you can.

Good luck,

Rita

]]> By: Sammie Cooper http://www.circleoffood.com/blog/2007/04/27/food-writer-restaurant-critic/#comment-831 Sammie Cooper Mon, 30 Apr 2007 01:40:30 +0000 http://www.circleoffood.com/blog/2007/04/27/food-writer-restaurant-critic/#comment-831 Rita What qualifications do you need to be a restaurant critic? I like to cook. I watch the food channel. I have a cookbook collection. People tell me I'm a great cook. I would love to have a job like that. How can I get started? Sammie Rita
What qualifications do you need to be a restaurant critic? I like to cook. I watch the food channel. I have a cookbook collection. People tell me I’m a great cook. I would love to have a job like that. How can I get started?
Sammie

]]> By: Rita Connelly http://www.circleoffood.com/blog/2007/04/27/food-writer-restaurant-critic/#comment-716 Rita Connelly Sat, 28 Apr 2007 21:43:50 +0000 http://www.circleoffood.com/blog/2007/04/27/food-writer-restaurant-critic/#comment-716 The worst experience you ask? I can't think of one "worst" experience, but there were several memorable ones. Like the time at a teppanyaki joint when my dining companion was nearly knocked out cold by a flying blunt instrument. And then there was the time - a girls' night out of sorts - when we ordered yamakake. It sounded interesting; a grated wild yam with cubes of tuna mixed in. The menu failed to mention the raw egg. A total turnoff; too....gooey. Once, the restaurant closed before I could make a second visit! As far as reactions from readers. Once after a "bad " review of a local Western restaurant, there was a spate of e-mail telling me I had no business writing reviews. They questioned my integrety and told me I should get a job shoveling horse manure. That all the letters were from the seven owners says a lot. It's weird though, whenever anyone pans a review, their response is pretty low life. Who knows? If I think of any more, I'll pass them on. The worst experience you ask?

I can’t think of one “worst” experience, but there were several memorable ones.

Like the time at a teppanyaki joint when my dining companion was nearly knocked out cold by a flying blunt instrument.

And then there was the time - a girls’ night out of sorts - when we ordered yamakake. It sounded interesting; a grated wild yam with cubes of tuna mixed in. The menu failed to mention the raw egg. A total turnoff; too….gooey.

Once, the restaurant closed before I could make a second visit!

As far as reactions from readers. Once after a “bad ” review of a local Western restaurant, there was a spate of e-mail telling me I had no business writing reviews. They questioned my integrety and told me I should get a job shoveling horse manure. That all the letters were from the seven owners says a lot.

It’s weird though, whenever anyone pans a review, their response is pretty low life. Who knows?

If I think of any more, I’ll pass them on.

]]> By: Betty Crocked http://www.circleoffood.com/blog/2007/04/27/food-writer-restaurant-critic/#comment-670 Betty Crocked Sat, 28 Apr 2007 02:58:41 +0000 http://www.circleoffood.com/blog/2007/04/27/food-writer-restaurant-critic/#comment-670 Rita, A restaurant critic might be a good thing. My husband is a critic period. He critiques my housekeeping. He critiques how I make coffee. He critiques me in the bedroom. I hope you're more positive than my husband. Betty C. P.S. Can you share your worst experience? Rita,
A restaurant critic might be a good thing.
My husband is a critic period. He critiques my housekeeping. He critiques how I make coffee. He critiques me in the bedroom.
I hope you’re more positive than my husband.
Betty C.

P.S. Can you share your worst experience?

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