Cookbooks, Food TV and the Critics' Table — 2026-10-02
The San Francisco Chronicle revived its star rating system for restaurant reviews after eight years, while MasterChef Celebrity returned to Argentine television with strong ratings. Netflix's Great British Baking Show premiered September 25 with Nigella Lawson as the new co-judge, and PEOPLE magazine recognized Lawson among its 25 Food Faves of 2026.
Cookbooks, Food TV and the Critics' Table — 2026-10-02
Top developments
San Francisco Chronicle Resurrects Starred Restaurant Reviews
The San Francisco Chronicle announced October 1 that it is reinstating its star rating system for restaurant reviews, ending an eight-year hiatus. Critic MacKenzie Chung Fegan revealed the news at a live event alongside predecessor Michael Bauer, and published her first starred review of House of Prime Rib the same day. The return of the star system marks a significant shift in how the paper will evaluate and communicate restaurant quality to readers.
MasterChef Celebrity 2026 Debuts on Argentine Television
MasterChef Celebrity premiered September 29 on Telefe with conductor Wanda Nara and new jury member Maru Botana joining Damián Betular and Germán Martitegui. The cooking competition featured 24 celebrity contestants and drew strong viewership numbers in its debut episode. The show marks the return of the franchise to Argentine prime-time television with a refreshed judging panel.
Nigella Lawson Joins The Great British Baking Show as New Co-Judge
The Great British Baking Show returned to Netflix on September 25 for Collection 14 with Nigella Lawson joining Paul Hollywood on the judging panel, replacing departing judge Prue Leith. The show featured twelve new bakers and Lawson's appointment generated significant media attention. PEOPLE magazine recognized Lawson among its 25 Food Faves of 2026, published October 2, highlighting her prominence in food culture and television at the start of the new season.
Dallas Morning News Names First Restaurant Critic in Seven Years
The Dallas Morning News appointed Sarah Blaskovich as its first official restaurant critic since 2019. Blaskovich, who has contributed to the paper's food section for more than a decade, transitions from her role as senior food reporter covering restaurant openings, closures, and chef interviews. Her appointment reflects renewed investment in traditional restaurant criticism at a major regional publication.
Local view
Spanish-language media widely covered MasterChef Celebrity 2026's premiere across Argentina, with multiple outlets reporting live coverage and audience metrics. La 100 and Minuto Uno provided real-time updates on the show's debut Monday night, emphasizing Wanda Nara's return as host and the new judging lineup featuring Maru Botana. El Destape published guides on where and how to stream the series online, highlighting availability across multiple platforms. The program's Monday night premiere generated sufficient audience interest to prompt Argentine media to cover unexpected programming changes the following week.
Context & numbers
Restaurant Critics Return: The Dallas Morning News's appointment of Sarah Blaskovich ends a seven-year gap in dedicated restaurant criticism, joining the San Francisco Chronicle's recent commitment to starred reviews. These moves signal renewed investment in professional food journalism despite the growth of social media-driven restaurant recommendations. GBBO Viewership: The Great British Baking Show Collection 14 premiere on September 25 marks Netflix's continued reliance on the format as a flagship food program, with Nigella Lawson's appointment generating international media coverage. MasterChef Celebrity Audience: Argentine television data showed strong viewership for the MasterChef Celebrity 2026 premiere with 24 celebrity contestants competing, indicating sustained audience appetite for the franchise format in Latin America.
On the radar
- Food Network Fall 2026: Multiple new cooking competition formats launching across Food Network's 2026 slate, with "Chopped: Castaways," "Guy Fieri's Flavortown Food Fight," and Guy Fieri's "Feast Club" YouTube series all in development or active production.
- Fall 2026 Cookbook Season: Bon Appétit's fall cookbook guide highlighted dozens of new titles released in September–October 2026, with emphasis on diverse cuisines and meal-prep strategies continuing to drive category growth.
- YouTube Creator Growth: Made on YouTube 2026 event highlighted platform expansion for food creators beyond traditional television distribution models, signaling competition for talent and audience attention between YouTube and cable networks.
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.
Powered by
