Rachel Hutton, lead food critic at City Pages, is out. We’ve yet to hear details from City Pages or Hutton, but it’ll be interesting to hear how this is supposed to make sense; Hutton’s column has run like clockwork over the course of her 3+ year tenure and it has contained some of the most timely, trenchant, and engaging food writing in the region. Over on Facebook, former City Pages food critic (and current Minnesota Monthly food writer) Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl writes: “Awful, awful. Feel like someone walked on my grave… sad sad day for local food journalism.” UPDATE: City Pages Editor in Chief Kevin Hoffman writes: “The full-time staff food critic position was eliminated in the fourth quarter due to budget restructuring. Rachel did a wonderful job and remains a friend. The decision had nothing to do with her and everything to do with a brutal economy. City Pages will continue to cover the local food community, both on Hot Dish and in our weekly print edition, relying on additional money in the budget for local freelancers.”
Rachel Hutton Out at City Pages
5 Comments
Comments are closed.
One can only stand working under editor Kevin Hoffman so long. I predict Andy Mannix will be out of there within six months. Bets anyone?
Wow, this is really lousy news. Rachel is a fantastic writer and has done our town and our food scene proud. I know she’ll continue to do great work wherever she ends up. I’m a big fan of hers.
Oh well. I tried some of her recommendations and didn’t like them. Then I stopped reading her altogether.
I remember being floored when Village Voice moved Kevin Hoffman from Ohio or wherever to helm the City Pages. It took me a very long time to realize they were probably refocusing to gaming page views and ad sales opposed to journalism. Then it all clicked. I think he’s doing a great job.
My sincere sympathies to the journalists.