The New York Times has named Ligaya Mishan and Tejal Rao its new dual restaurant critics, marking a shift away from the solo criticism model of the past. Both critics are seasoned Times employees who will cover different aspects of the country’s culinary landscape.
Ligaya Mishan will focus on New York City and occasionally review restaurants outside the city, while Tejal Rao will take a national look at restaurants, covering the entire country. The move aims to bring transparency and immediacy to the criticism process, allowing readers to get a sense of their personal tastes and backgrounds.
The change comes after Pete Wells’ departure in 2024, which saw his column split into two with Melissa Clark and Priya Krishna contributing reviews. Recently, Mishan left her role as columnist for New York Times Magazine to take on this new position, having previously run the “Hungry City” restaurant column from 2012 to 2020.
Rao, based in California as food section’s critic-at-large, has been writing about topics such as the booming business of Kit Kats and the history of California’s hippie sandwiches. Her experience will be valuable in covering national restaurant service content.
The announcement comes with a video that aims to put faces to names and provide insight into the reasoning behind the decision to become public figures. The dual criticism model is seen as an acknowledgment of the country’s vastness and the sensitivity required to convey its dynamic landscape.
Source: https://ny.eater.com/news/399094/new-york-times-new-restaurant-critics-ligaya-mishan-tejal-rao