Tom Sietsema, The Washington Post’s food critic for 25 years, shares his vast experiences dining at thousands of restaurants. He discusses the delicate balance between enjoying meals and documenting them discreetly. Sietsema highlights the evolution of food criticism in the digital age, emphasizing its importance in guiding diners. He also reflects on the joy of familiar dining experiences versus the excitement of discovering new culinary gems, all while maintaining a positive attitude that enhances the dining journey.
Tom Sietsema's commitment to anonymity allows him to provide authentic dining experiences by evaluating restaurants without their knowledge of his identity.
Sietsema's role transcends enjoying food; he actively engages with his audience to guide them toward meaningful dining experiences that balance quality and value.
Deep dives
The Life of a Food Critic
The role of a food critic involves more than just enjoying meals; it requires careful evaluation and discretion. Tom Sietzma of The Washington Post eats out almost every night, often visiting eight to ten restaurants a week to provide diverse perspectives and honest feedback. He chooses restaurants based on a variety of factors, including cuisine type and price level, to maintain a balanced review process. Tom's commitment to anonymity is crucial, as he often visits establishments multiple times without revealing his identity to ensure consumer experiences are truly reflective of the dining environment.
Balancing Critique with Enjoyment
Being critical does not prevent Tom from enjoying the culinary experience, but it does change the dynamics of dining out for him. He is adept at noting essential details without detracting from the joy of the meal, though he admits the need to retain focus on flavors, service, and ambiance. Technology has helped him blend in better by allowing him to take discreet notes on his phone, alleviating the pressure of capturing every detail by hand. Despite the demands, Tom finds himself continually hungry for new experiences, reinforcing his passion for food and dining.
The Audience-Critic Relationship
Tom maintains a strong connection with his audience, recognizing the significance of dining out as a special occasion for many people. He feels a responsibility to guide readers toward worthwhile dining experiences that reflect their hard-earned money, working diligently to address questions and concerns from his followers, often responding personally. This relationship with the audience boosts his perspective and keeps him engaged with community sentiments around food and dining. Despite evolving media influences, Tom embraces the competitive landscape, focusing on delivering meaningful critiques while encouraging diners to enjoy their experiences.
Tom Sietsema has been The Post’s food critic for 25 years. Over a quarter of a century, Sietsema has eaten at and reviewed thousands of restaurants. Even after all these years, he’s not sick of it. In fact, Sietsema loves the theater of dining out, and he takes great pride in guiding readers toward truly delicious food.
Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair.