Thusly Do I Wield the Immense Power of My Position

Thusly Do I Wield the Immense Power of My Position

Anyone who watched the Discovery Channel episode of "Future Food" in which The Wife and I dined at moto must have gasped incredulously to hear Chef Cantu say to his staff, “This guy, Hammond, has the power to turn the lights out on this place.”

Reality show balderdash. Can any single food writer have that kind of impact on a restaurant, least of all one like Omar's House of Fantastic Fun Food? I doubt it.

Still, now and again, it tickles me that I’m able to actually do good – or at least make people feel good -- with a few words. I felt good when Sarah Stegner told me people came into Prairie Grass telling her how great she sounded on my WBEZ piece with her, or when the lady who runs Chicago’s Original Home of Chicken n’ Waffles was proud enough about the piece I did on her place to write me a personal letter of thanks and put my writing on her wall. I’m honored and touched.

Of course, I’m not in food journalism to make people feel good, though if that happens then I feel good, too.

Weekend before last, I was invited to be the “celebrity critic” (go ahead snicker; I almost did) at the Taste of Galena. Late last week, I got this email [included warts and all] from the guy I chose as the “Best of” in the entrée category:

Dear Mr. Hammond,

My name is Frank Bruscato and I am the owner of Tucci's restaurant in Elizabeth. I was recently notified that I had won first place in the Critic's Choice for best entree at the Taste of Galena last Friday night.
I have to tell you that I was in complete shock. Being a new and first ever restaurant, It was already an honor to me that I was even invited to attend the Taste of Galena.

It is such an honor to be recognized by you as the best entree. I can't even begin to tell you what a moral booster this was for me.

People told me 8 months ago when I first started this journey that I would be married to the restaurant and they were not kidding. Putting in all the hours I do trying to make this work has been extremely exhausting. Your vote for Tucci's literally made this all the worth wild for me.

Again, I am deeply honored. Thank you very much.

Please be sure to stop by when you're in the area and let me buy you lunch.

Yours truly
Frank M. Bruscato Jr.

I doubt I’ll never see this guy again, but it felt good to recognize good food in humble places, and give a brother a leg up, because I liked the food he and his family made, and I was glad to have helped him on his way.



Tucci’s
244 N. Main
Elizabeth, Illinois
http://www.tuccisrestaurant.com/

I read "Yield" instead of "Wield" and was concerned, especially after the Luther Burger.

Long may ye wield. Slainte!

Thanks for sharing that, David. Helping someone out really does generate a good feeling -- but it's particularly nice to learn that the person really feels blessed by your assistance.

And rest assured, if I ever get to Galena, I'll be checking out your recommendation.

David Hammond wrote:I doubt I’ll never see this guy again, but it felt good to recognize good food in humble places, and give a brother a leg up, because I liked the food he and his family made, and I was glad to have helped him on his way.

That is a great story. I have a few friends who work professionally as "critics" (various art mediums, not food) and they have always seen themselves of champions of something they love, not as arbiters of taste or really even "critics". Your post does a great job of of expressing that same sentiment in the area of food "critic".

Attrill wrote:

David Hammond wrote:I doubt I’ll never see this guy again, but it felt good to recognize good food in humble places, and give a brother a leg up, because I liked the food he and his family made, and I was glad to have helped him on his way.

That is a great story. I have a few friends who work professionally as "critics" (various art mediums, not food) and they have always seen themselves of champions of something they love, not as arbiters of taste or really even "critics". Your post does a great job of of expressing that same sentiment in the area of food "critic".

Thanks, but I was actually trying to avoid bias, like love (Happy Valentine's Day!), during the tasting. Afterwards, I discovered I was championing a little guy. On accident. That felt good.

David Hammond wrote:
Thanks, but I was actually trying to avoid bias, like love (Happy Valentine's Day!), during the tasting. Afterwards, I discovered I was championing a little guy. On accident. That felt good.

Certainly! I didn't think it was a matter of any bias, just noting that I don't think you (or most people who write about others engaging in creative endeavors) do so to "turn the lights out" on any place, and would much rather give recognition to what they enjoy. I don't see that as any sort of bias, just that the work must be much more satisfying when you are helping someone gain deserved recognition.

That said, there are certainly times where people need to offer honest guidance and say the emperor has no clothes.

Attrill wrote:I don't think you (or most people who write about others engaging in creative endeavors) do so to "turn the lights out" on any place, and would much rather give recognition to what they enjoy.

Totally agreed. It's seems more positive and productive to guide people to a great place than to warn people about yet another mediocre place.