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OC Register's Food Section Run by Morons

Posted by Gustavo Arellano in News

December 1, 2008 2:28 PM

Permalink | Comments (5)

Just a couple of years ago, the Orange County Register's food section was amongst the best in the country--recipes, features, their own wine columnist in longtime Reg investigative reporter Chris Knap, and two food reviews per week: one on Thursday by the execrable Elizabeth Evans, and another one on Friday by the super-talented Tenny Tatusian. Tatusian would also throw in a mini-review in the paper's standalone food-section, if I remember correctly.

Things got even better in late 2005, when the county's paper of record began their food blog--originally called Food Frenzy, but then switched to Gluttonista when reporter Katherine Nguyen began covering food. Other writers joined in the mix--Cynthia Furey, and the occasional food review by a regular Register reporter (the two I remember contributing most were Greg Hardesty and Marla Jo Fisher).

Flash-forward three years. The standalone food section is no more. The second review on Fridays is gone, as is the once-substantial dining guide. Knap's column went adios, Tatusian left long ago, and Nguyen--a foodie of the highest caliber, one whose friendly personality burst forth in every review and whose grin was being enticed in Gluttonista's banner--has just left the Register. Writer Niyaz Pirani promises better things to come, and let's hope that happens, but we don't have much faith in a paper that has let so much talent leave what was once a great section.

If you think I'm going to dance on the grave of a competitor, you're wrong. I vaguely knew Nguyen--I never said hi to her, but ran into her at some events from time to time--and I always heard she was a class act. I know she's obsessed with hole-in-the-walls, and anyone who is can depend on goodwill from me. Hopefully, another publication is smart enough to pick her up and let the Register slide further into oblivion...speaking of which, Kat: wanna blog for us?

 

Comments (5)

1. DanGarion says:
   December 1, 2008 16:16

   I'm so disappointed with the Register, even more then I already had been. Kat was one of the few redeeming qualities left with the Register.

2. Edwin Goei says:
   December 1, 2008 17:42

   Oh no! Kat's gone?! She was the best thing over there! She ruled!!!

   Hope she reads this and takes you up on blogging for us!

3. Christian says:
   December 1, 2008 18:24

   The phrase is actually "fast forward" not "flash forward." Oh, wait. I'm supposed to be commenting on food. I didn't realize Kat had left but that may explain why I paid less and less attention to the Gluttonista blog. She was great the one time I met with her when she interviewed me about my pathetic little blog. And we did meet at a hole-in-the-wall: La Nueva Reyna de Michoacan.

4. Val says:
   December 3, 2008 09:17

   That would be AWESOME if Kat came to OC Weekly.

   I agree with all these comments. What genius thought it'd be a good idea to let her go? The blog is friggen' named after her.

5. hungrymomma says:
   December 3, 2008 09:59

   Now I can see why the OC Reg food blog is no bueno!! I was an avid reader for a while, but their post became less frequent. I think you need to get Kat over to OCWeekly stat