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Q&A with Jonathan Gold, renowned restaurant critic

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Jonathan Gold shares insights on food criticism and reviews from a global perspective.

It was a fantastic event this morning at Wellington’s Monsoon Poon with the informal Q&A session between Jonathan Gold—renowned LA Times restaurant critic—and his engaged audience of industry professionals.

Jonathan Gold recounted how the LA scene took off leading up to the 1984 Olympics which helped the industry grow. He highlighted that it was the diverse population of LA that lead to the amazing food scene that we see today, including tastes of Mexican, Central American, Chinese, Korean, and Filipino cuisine.

People tend to follow where the artists are. This leads to the gentrification of an area that was once unpopular in the past, which–in turn–helps with a growing vibrant food scene.

Gold touched on how LA is cheaper for entry-level businesses and that chefs that have crafted their skills in other well-known businesses have a chance to make their own mark. When asked what his thoughts were on the latest food trends circling LA, he brings up the ‘Korean Taco’ as the new popular LA dish.

He mentioned that negative feedback has, of course, helped close some establishments down, but “I don’t just focus on the negative feedback like I use to. I try give constructive feedback and focus on the dishes they did do well.”

Currently piquing his interest? The Destroyer, an LA restaurant that “disrupts the idea of fine dining like nowhere else on Earth”.


This special event was brought together by Visa Wellington On a Plate, in collaboration with Monsoon Poon and the Restaurant Association NZ. Attendees sampled a delicious south-east Asian inspired brunch thanks to the team at Monsoon Poon. Photo credit: HospoTrain.

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