I've been so busy that I didn't even notice until now, but apparently World-Herald food critic Nichole Aksamit was either let go or quit the paper. The rumor I heard- for what it's worth, as this is very much just a rumor- is that it was over her attempts at writing a negative review about new restaurant The Brick House. Now I'm not saying this just because she was formerly my neighbor, but what a terrible decision by the newspaper. Honestly, I thought she could be a bit nitpicky from time to time, but I'm generally more easy-going than most folks when it comes to food. She was by far the best food critic the World-Herald has had in my lifetime and always had interesting things to write about. Just one more reason that print is dead- you can get fired/forced out for actually doing your job and critiquing a restaurant.
On a related note, for those unsatisfied with the recent World-Herald coverage, here's a link to a new guy in town doing things with that newfangled online media.
If there is any truth to this rumor than I say shame on the Omaha World-Herald. Sure it seems like a trivial issue, but if the OWH can show such lack of integrity over food criticism, than you have to question their integrity on other less trivial issues.
ReplyDelete>Just one more reason that print is dead- you
ReplyDelete>can get fired/forced out for actually doing
>your job and critiquing a restaurant.
I know that it's not the way things ought to be, but yes, there is pressure in any media outlet to refrain from being critical of advertising clients, or potential clients. This is quite likely what the situation was here.
Just seems to me that they shouldn't even bother with a restaurant review if it's not going to be honest. Of course, I really don't know the whole story and am just acting on the rumor I heard, which is probably just as irresponsible as what I am accusing the World-Herald of doing! Then again, we can all read between the lines as she was very good and now she's gone, and there has to be a reason. Her husband writes for the paper as well and I can't imagine she would possibly compromise that situation without good cause.
ReplyDeletei see they got a new food writer (an article todays owh talks about her - her name is baker), and with her first review (about a pizza joint) i can tell she can't hold a candle to nicole aksamit. what a darn shame. i used to work for an owh company and i know how crooked and stupid they are, but getting rid of nicole was the dumbest move i have ever seen. her writing was worth more than any restaurant advertiser can shell out!
ReplyDelete