Cookbooks, Food TV and the Critics' Table — 2026-10-09
This week, the San Francisco Chronicle revived its starred restaurant review system after a seven-year hiatus, while Dallas appointed its first dedicated restaurant critic since 2019. In Latin America, MasterChef Celebrity in Argentina faced scheduling shifts due to high-profile events, and MasterChef Chile premiered to significant viewership. Meanwhile, Forbes Vetted released a curated list of top cookbooks for 2026, highlighting global culinary traditions.
Cookbooks, Food TV and the Critics' Table — 2026-10-09
Top developments
SF Chronicle Revives Star Ratings After Seven-Year Hiatus
On October 1, the San Francisco Chronicle announced it would bring back starred restaurant reviews, a system absent since the retirement of former critic Michael Bauer. Current critic MacKenzie Chung Fegan revealed the change at a live event, with the first starred review focusing on the iconic House of Prime Rib. This move signals a potential shift in how major West Coast papers evaluate dining, potentially influencing reader engagement and restaurant reputation metrics.
Dallas Morning News Appoints First Dedicated Critic Since 2019
The Dallas Morning News has named Sarah Blaskovich as its new restaurant critic, marking the first time since 2019 the paper has had such a dedicated role. Blaskovich, who has covered the North Texas food scene for over a decade as a senior food reporter, will now focus on critical reviews. This appointment suggests a renewed investment in local food journalism by major regional newspapers, potentially revitalizing the Dallas dining scene's media coverage.
MasterChef Argentina Schedules Shift Due to High-Profile Event
Telefe in Argentina temporarily lifted MasterChef Celebrity from its regular schedule just one week after its premiere with host Wanda Nara. The network cited a "historic" and highly compelling external event that required a complete grid modification. This disruption highlights the competitive pressure live TV faces from major sporting or political events, which can interrupt momentum for reality cooking shows.
MasterChef Chile Premieres on TVN and HBO Max
MasterChef Chile returned to television on October 4, airing on TVN and streaming on HBO Max starting at 22:30 hours. The show promises a focus on gastronomic talent and life stories, continuing the format's strong presence in Latin American media. The dual-platform release strategy reflects the growing trend of simulcasting major reality shows to maximize reach across traditional and digital audiences.
Forbes Vetted Highlights Global Cookbooks for 2026
Forbes Vetted’s home and kitchen editor Monica Petrucci published a roundup of 13 summer cookbook releases on October 6 (cited as "3 days ago" from Oct 9). The selection features diverse culinary traditions, including Sardinian Blue Zone cuisine, Thai heritage recipes, and Puerto Rican home cooking. While no sales figures were attached, the list serves as a key discovery tool for readers looking beyond mainstream US-centric titles.
Local view
In Argentina, Semana reported on a controversial episode of MasterChef Celebrity where a "polemical strategy" by contestants during a re-entry round angered viewers. The coverage highlights how local media scrutinizes reality TV tactics, often driving social media debate that sustains viewer interest between episodes. Meanwhile, Clarín noted that MasterChef Junior is scheduled to return in the second half of the month, indicating a sustained pipeline of culinary reality content on Telefe.
Context & numbers
The San Francisco Standard reported that the return of star ratings at the Chronicle is a notable departure from the seven-year period without them. This policy shift may influence other major metropolitan papers considering similar moves to differentiate their food sections. Additionally, the Irish Times paid tribute to Corinna Hardgrave, a long-time restaurant critic who recently passed away, noting her integrity and reader-focused approach.
On the radar
- MasterChef Junior Argentina: Expected to premiere in the second half of October on Telefe, hosted by Verónica Lozano, featuring children aged 8–13.
- LA Times Reviews: Bill Addison’s review of "Perse," a modern Persian restaurant in Brentwood, was published on October 8, highlighting emerging trends in LA dining.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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