Episode 30: Ruth Reichl

Evolutionaries

In a world filled with food writers who take themselves far too seriously, Ruth Reichl continues to be a breath of fresh air. Her creative take on storytelling and restaurant reviews turned food writing upside down. She’s authored a trilogy of best-selling memoirs, a novel and a cookbook. She was the last editor in chief of the now defunct Gourmet magazine. Before that she was the restaurant critic of both The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, where she was also named food editor. As co-owner of The Swallow Restaurant from 1974 to 1977, she played a part in the culinary revolution that took place in Berkeley, California. In the years that followed, she served as restaurant critic for New West and California magazines. Hear Ruth tell her story in this special “Evolutionaries” radio documentary.