Editor’s note: Yesterday, the TImes-Picayune announced substantial layoffs, among them long-time food critic Brett Anderson
Follow up note: On Friday, June 15th, the Times Picayune announced that they would welcome Brett Anderson’s return subsequent to his Nieman fellowship.
He and She Said:
Brett,
We’re somewhat unsurprised, but nevertheless saddened to hear you’re leaving us.
No economists, we do not pretend to offer any educated opinions on the financial wisdom or lack thereof of recent decisions affecting the Times Picayune. But we know great writing, and yours has been.
We don’t know you personally and as far as we are aware, you don’t know us at all. But your work over the years has been both a source of pleasure and entertainment to us and a benchmark against which to judge our own writing.
We’re fortunate in many things in this city. Not least among them is the passionate food culture that has resulted in a thriving community of amateur food writers, many of whom write very well and provide an up to the minute perspective on the New Orleans dining scene.
In our view, those efforts have augmented but do not substitute for the work of professionals like yourself. That statement does not diminish the writing of our very talented brethren, but rather recognizes the quality of the work you have produced.
New Orleans is one of the great food cities on earth, and you have been the best of the journalists covering our traditions. Good luck to you in the future, and be assured you will be greatly missed.
Steve and Sheree Smith
Your letter is very kind.
And well-deserved
Thanks so much. I appreciate the kind words. Keep up the good work..
Reblogged this on Matt Thomas and commented:
New Orleanians write a farewell letter to Brett Anderson, the Times-Picayune’s fantastic food critic who was laid off in the Newhouse massacre of our local papers yesterday. New Orleans without a food critic is like New York without Wall Street coverage.
Brett Anderson is a treasure