Tom Sietsema Is Stepping Down as Washington Post Food Critic

"Some restaurants went to extreme lengths to identify and cater to Sietsema, even as the make-or-break influence of mainstream print critics has waned in the social media era. Among their tactics: tracking aliases and phone numbers, offering cash bonuses to staff who spotted Sietsema, keeping dossiers of his preferences (and those of other critics), making duplicates of dishes and sending out the best one, and sometimes even planting spies next to his table."

"He announced today that this will be his last week on the job-while also publicly revealing his face for the first time. Sources tell Washingtonian that Sietsema was among the journalists who took a buyout in July, though he stayed on to finish his fall dining guide. Until now, Sietsema was one of the longest tenured full-time critics still reviewing restaurants in America."

Tom Sietsema will end his 25-year tenure as Washington Post food critic this week and publicly revealed his face for the first time. Sources say he accepted a buyout in July but stayed to complete the fall dining guide. His tenure slightly exceeds Phyllis Richman's 24 years, leaving only Craig LaBan with a longer continuous run. Long-term restaurant critics are increasingly rare as mainstream print influence wanes. Some restaurateurs tracked aliases, offered cash bonuses to staff who identified critics, kept dossiers on preferences, duplicated dishes and planted spies to influence reviews. Sietsema sometimes used disguises and sent scouts to verify dining experiences.

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