Exciting News: Ligaya Mishan and Tejal Rao Appointed Co-Chief Restaurant Critics at The New York Times!

The New York Times has made a significant change by naming Ligaya Mishan and Tejal Rao as co-chief restaurant critics. This is a first for the paper, which aims to broaden its restaurant coverage beyond just New York City.

Mishan and Rao are seasoned voices in food writing. Both have contributed to The Times for years. This move comes as part of an effort to highlight restaurants across the U.S. instead of largely focusing on New York, where the previous critic, Pete Wells, operated for over a decade.

Editors Emily Weinstein and Sam Sifton shared that their plan aims to make restaurant reviews more visual and personal. Mishan will be based in New York, while Rao will cover the West Coast from California. They’ll be traveling a lot to explore dining across the nation.

While the focus is expanding, the New York dining scene will still be a priority. The editors promised to continue featuring brief starred reviews by other writers to guide readers.

An interesting twist in this new direction is that Mishan and Rao will forgo the traditional anonymity of food critics. In the past, many critics would hide their identities to avoid being recognized when visiting restaurants. Now, they’ll be in the public eye but still make efforts to visit without drawing attention.

“We cannot maintain a strict policy of anonymity anymore,” the editors explained. This mirrors a broader trend in food journalism, where chefs and critics alike are increasingly visible online.

Mishan has been with The Times for over 20 years, known for her “Hungry City” column and other food features. Rao, who joined in 2016, has also worked as a restaurant cook and critic for several outlets.

This change reflects an evolving food landscape. According to a recent survey by the National Restaurant Association, nearly 80% of consumers say they enjoy dining out more than cooking at home. This highlights the growing importance of accessible and engaging restaurant reviews as people seek new dining adventures.

Overall, Mishan and Rao’s expansion into a co-critic role marks a fresh chapter for restaurant coverage, bringing a new perspective to America’s dining scene.



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