Food news is a type of journalism that covers food-related issues and trends. It may also explore how food relates to larger social, political, and cultural topics. Examples of food news include restaurant openings, culinary competitions, and the latest research on nutrition and health. Food news can be found in print and online media outlets, including blogs, television shows, and traditional newspapers. It can also be incorporated into a variety of other content forms, including social media, videos, and podcasts.
The first food editor of the New York Times, Jane Nickerson, pioneered food journalism in the 1940s by creating a newspaper section dedicated to foods and recipes. Her work documented war rationing and introduced the public to new food products. After World War II, she expanded her role and included interviewing future chefs and documenting the expanding New York food industry. This expansion pushed newspaper editors to produce food pages, increasing the visibility of women in journalism and activating a potential for discourse about food that went beyond product advertisement and cooking instructions.
More recently, Anthony Bourdain has represented the popularity of food journalism in media. His show Parts Unknown, which aired from 2013-2018 on CNN, portrayed him travelling to countries of all sizes, immersing himself in the culture through their cuisine and traditions. This representation of food as a way to discover and learn about other cultures has become more accessible thanks to the rise of social media, where both paid and unpaid reviews, recipes, “what I eat in a day” videos, and even just a quick food mention can be considered food journalism.