Rick Nichols: Bon voyage
The Inquirer food columnist is bowing out.
Rick Nichols: Bon voyage
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Big news in the Philadelphia food world:
Columnist Rick Nichols has announced that he’s leaving The Inquirer, where he’s been covering the nuances of the region’s food scene for 15 years.
“It hasn’t just been a job,” he says. “It’s been a lifestyle.”
Nichols, 64, started at the paper in 1978 after a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard. He came to his food appreciation early while growing up in Mayfair, Levittown, and later Andover, Mass., before studies at the University of North Carolina. After covering a list of Inquirer news beats, he juggled editorial writing and food writing in the mid-1990s (for Inquirer Magazine) before moving onto the Food staff in 1995. His work was often anthologized in "Best Food Writing."
No regrets, he says. He intends to pursue his own writing and will contribute the occasional piece to The Inquirer, as well as teach journalism at Penn, and log some long-distance biking with his wife, Nancy Szokan, a former Inquirer editor who works part time at the Washington Post.
His column in tomorrow’s Food section is a must-read.
I'm so sorry to hear that. His articles have always been a cut above.— rfabien- Wishing you all the best Rick!! I'll never forget seeing you on the mechanical bull @ Percy Street BBQ during 2010 Philly Beer Week. Good luck in all of your future en devours!— SNJ_Native
- Rick was always able to find the great neighborhood places that were hidden gems. Rick has always been a gem!!! All the best!!!— gakski
- Like the late beer writer Michael Jackson, Rick has always been able to find that one detail no one else notices and craft a point of view around it with brilliant, compelling writing. It is an understatement that he will be missed.— esterrick
- Hint to Rick... almost ten years ago, after a change of ownership and name, and the addition of a "celebrity chef", you and a party of four visited the "first floor" bar I tend Tuesday through Friday.
All appeared to enjoy familiar multiple courses. Upon receiving the check, you commented on the international diversity of the many "regulars" in so small a space (without recognizing anyone).
For the fact that no mention ever appeared in print, I am very grateful. My confidentiality to them remains intact. Sorry, Michael!
Said chef departed long ago for one of our sister establishments.
When the weather improves, bicycle down Pine St. for an outdoor evening on the "Headhouse." Stay busy and every good wish!
— sleepy3rd - Best of luck! I have enjoyed reading your columns....— sarnell
- THE BEST! I hope that "retirement" means writing something more substantial for all of your fans someday!— FairmountFrank
Rick - Thank you so much for your excellent food writing. All the best to you in the future!— Nihilist
Rick's last few post have really been nasty, couldn't figure out why, but now I know. It's a shame he got so bitter about being fired. He did take a swipe at the Chinese in his last column too, but for a guy from Mayfair he had a good run, too bad he learned little along the way. See ya, Rick, wouldn't want to be ya.— teckie- Rick always gave us interesting places to try out, and always thougthful & well-written. I wish you the best!— Matt
- I always liked that Rick played 'em as he saw 'em. Some may feel that his comments about a few places were 'nasty', but then again, some places deserved to be held up to the light. I have been to some restaurants which were 'celebrity inspired' or 'THE' places to be that, in a word, SUCKED. Then I have been to little hole in the wall places that were out of this world in both food and service. If it sucked, Rick said it sucked. Good luck in your endeavors, Rick! Here's hoping that the next big write up in the Inky is a book review of your book that we know 'you have in you'.— momatad
- I always liked that Rick played 'em as he saw 'em. Some may feel that his comments about a few places were 'nasty', but then again, some places deserved to be held up to the light. I have been to some restaurants which were 'celebrity inspired' or 'THE' places to be that, in a word, SUCKED. Then I have been to little hole in the wall places that were out of this world in both food and service. If it sucked, Rick said it sucked. Good luck in your endeavors, Rick! Here's hoping that the next big write up in the Inky is a book review of your book that we know 'you have in you'.— momatad
- This makes me sad. I wish you all the best. You are a wonderful writer.— JessD.
