Omnivore - Attack of the killer Rodell

• scriptshadow.blogspot.com
• Killer Rodell sneaks into LA

By now, you’ve certainly read that our former dining critic and food editor, Besha Rodell, has been hired by LA Weekly. The paper had been searching for someone to replace Pulitzer-Prize-winner Jonathan Gold since February, so this is, um, kind of a big deal.

I noticed an annoying complaint among the (generally positive) comments on the Weekly’s own story announcing Besha’s hiring:

I think LA is a different place from Atlanta, very. She won’t have the context right. Should have promoted from within or gotten an LA-based critic.

I’m quoting that because it’s such an inevitable complaint when imported journalists hit our own city. We heard exactly the same thing when Besha came to CL seven years ago. Such people don’t seem to get that there is a huge benefit to reading an “outsider’s” evolving take on a city. It almost always reveals a dimension invisible to myopic insiders.

Besha is without doubt among the most talented critics in any field to have worked in our city. Although I am still stunned CL let her go, it has obviously worked out to her great benefit. I can’t wait to watch her devour my favorite city in America. Jonathan Gold is about to be eaten alive, from nose to tail.