The New York Times has announced significant changes to its iconic Dining beat, including the appointment of two co-chief restaurant critics, Tejal Rao and Ligaya Mishan. This move marks a critical turning point for the section, which has long been a leader in shaping the New York City culinary scene. The Times aims to expand its coverage nationwide, allowing the new critics to review restaurants outside the five boroughs.
Under the leadership of Rao and Mishan, the Dining beat will produce more video reviews, featuring interviews with restaurant owners, chefs, and enthusiasts. These videos will be released across the app and off-platform channels, providing a new level of transparency and humanity to the criticism. The Times believes this approach will help build trust with its audience.
While the section is now less focused on New York-centric dining, the Times will maintain its commitment to covering local restaurants. Critics will recommend a wider range of eateries and provide brief starred reviews each month. Stars, previously exclusive to New York, will also be awarded to restaurants across the country.
The change in approach reflects the growing importance of video content in the food world. Other publications, such as Eater and Infatuation, have already capitalized on this trend by producing video reviews for YouTube and social media platforms. The Times’ new strategy aims to set itself apart from rival dining sections while maintaining its reputation as a leader in food coverage.
With Rao and Mishan at the helm, the Dining beat is poised to deliver fresh perspectives and more comprehensive reviews of restaurants across America.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/11/media/new-york-times-restaurant-critics-dining-video-reviews