The legacy of the food critic and restaurant reviews is a surprisingly long one. It’s also complicated. Food critics emerged from simple desires like sharing thoughts about great meals and giving weary travelers advice about where to get a good meal on the road. But, as times changed, the role of food writers and restaurant reviews expanded. It went from being a hobby to a well-paid profession (with obvious perks).  

Here to enlighten us about that history is one of the most influential food critics in the US. John Mariani has spent 40 years tasting his way through culinary trends and across state lines. He’s a professional food writer, critic, author and journalist who has written for major publications like Esquire and Forbes. In today’s episode, Mariani provides interesting historical insights into the evolution of food critics. He’ll talk about how the role has changed through the decades, and offers some much needed optimism for an industry that’s been hit hard through the pandemic.