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Exiting Tribune food writer Kevin Pang delivered a coda to his tenure at the Chicago newspaper in an essay he posted online earlier today. Pang took a buyout, ending his 12 years at the Tribune Tower. His departure, and that of fellow writer Mark Caro, leaves the Trib thin with Phil Vettel handling the majority of culinary scene coverage.
Pang's time at the Tribune wasn't only about food writing. He listed only two food-related stories among his five favorites he wrote for the newspaper. One mentioned Once Upon Bagel in Highland Park, and other was his profile on Curtis Duffy, the chef behind acclaimed restaurant Grace.
The piece serves up plenty of advice for writers of different types, but Pang did offer a tip specifically for food writers:
"For food writers: When you first start reviewing restaurants, you'll think mediocre food is awful and decent food is amazing. It's easy (and dangerous) to exaggerate your opinions. This doesn't strengthen your writing. Actually, it does nobody any favors."
Don't fret, Pang continues to write for Lucky Peach, Saveur and Vanity Fair. So follow him there.
